Numbers 23:21

“He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel, etc.] Not that there was no sin in them, nor any observed by the Lord; yet not so as to mark it in strict justice, and punish for it; but he forgave it, hid his face from it, and did not impute it to them; all the three Targums restrain it to idolatry, that there were none among them that worshipped idols, which was the reason why the Lord could not be prevailed upon to curse them: and Aben Ezra observes, that from hence Balak learnt to send women to the Israelites, to entice them to lewdness, and so to idolatry, that he might be able to carry his point: this is true of the spiritual Israel of God; for though…”

“He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob--Many sins were observed and punished in this people. But no such universal and hopeless apostasy had as yet appeared, to induce God to abandon or destroy them. the Lord his God is with him--has a favor for them. and the shout of a king is among them--such joyful acclamations as of a people rejoicing in the presence of a victorious prince.”

““Iniquity” and “perverseness” are found together again in the Hebrew of Psalms 10:7; Psalms 90:10, and elsewhere; and import wickedness together with that tribulation which is its proper result. The shout - The word is used (Leviticus 23:24 note) to describe the sound of the silver trumpets. The “shout of a king” will therefore refer to the jubilant sounds by which the presence of the Lord as their King among them was celebrated by Israel. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Iniquity - Not such as in the Canaanites: Such as he will punish with a curse, with utter destruction. The Lord is with him - He hath a favour for this people, and will defend and save them. The shout of a king - That is, such joyful and triumphant shouts as those wherewith a people congratulate the approach and presence of their King: when he appears among them upon some solemn occasion, or when he returns from battle with victory. This expression implies God's being their King and ruler, and their abundant security and confidence in him. Numbers 23:22”

“hath not: Psa 103:12; Isa 1:18, Isa 38:17; Jer 50:20; Hos 14:2-4; Mic 7:18-20; Rom 4:7, Rom 4:8, Rom 6:14, Rom 8:1; Co2 5:19 the Lord: Exo 13:21, Exo 29:45, Exo 29:46, Exo 33:14-16, Exo 34:9; Jdg 6:13; Ch2 13:12; Psa 23:4; Psa 46:7, Psa 46:11; Isa 8:10, Isa 12:6, Isa 41:10; Eze 48:35; Mat 1:23; Co2 6:16 the shout: Psa 47:5-7, Psa 89:15, Psa 89:18, Psa 97:1, Psa 118:15; Isa 33:22; Luk 19:37, Luk 19:38; Co2 2:14 Numbers 23:22”