Numbers 22:41

“And it came to pass on the morrow, etc.] The day after the arrival of Balaam at Balak’s royal seat, and after the entertainment given him, and the princes, “on the morning” f356 of that day, as the word signifies; and perhaps early in the morning, the king eager to be about business, and get the people of Israel cursed if possible as soon as could be: that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal; where groves were planted, and altars erected to that “idol” and which the Targum of Jonathan calls the idol Peor, the same with Baalpeor, (<042503>Numbers 25:3) which might be their god Chemosh, the same with Bacchus or Priapus: that thence he might see the utmost part of…”

“high places of Baal--eminences consecrated to the worship of Baal-peor (see on Num 25:3) or Chemosh. Next: Numbers Chapter 23”

“That thence he might see - Rather, and thence he saw. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Numbers 22". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/numbers-22.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“The high places of Baal - Consecrated to the worship of Baal, that is, of Baal Peor, who was their Baal or God. The utmost part - That is, all that people, even to the utmost and remotest of them, as appears by comparing this with, Num 23:13. He hoped that the sight of such a numerous host ready to break in upon his country would stir up his passion. Next: Numbers Chapter 23”

“22:41 Bamoth-baal (“high places of Baal”) was along the ridge of hills that overlooks the plains of Moab northeast of the Dead Sea (cp. “Bamoth” in 21:19; Josh 13:17). It was the first of three locations to which the Moabite king took Balaam so that he could see the sprawling Israelite camp (also Num 22:41; 23:14, 28). From such a high point he could see the Israelites (22:11) and perform the ceremonies that Balak hoped would lead to a powerful imprecation (curse) against them.”

“high places: Bamoth baal, "the high places of Baal," probably the same as Bamoth mentioned in Num 21:19, Num 21:20; evidently not far from Baal-meon, in the mountains of Abarim. for the Israelites were now encamped in the plains of Moab, which these mountains overlook. Baal, which signifies a lord or governor, was a name common to many idols; and probably here was the same as Chemosh, the god of Moab. Num 25:2, Num 25:3; Deu 12:2; Ch2 11:15; Jer 48:35 utmost: Num 23:13 Next: Numbers Chapter 23”

“But Balak conducted the soothsayer to Bamoth-baal, not because it was consecrated to Baal, but because it was the first height on the way to the steppes of Moab, from which they could see the camp of Israel, or at all events, "the end of the people," i.e., the outermost portion of the camp. For "Balak started with the supposition, that Balaam must necessarily have the Israelites in view if his curse was to take effect" (Hengstenberg). Next: Numbers Chapter 23”