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Numbers 24:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 24:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
Numbers 24:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith;
4He saith, who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel!
← Numbers 24:1Numbers 24:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Balaam lifted up his eyes, etc.] Being on Mount Peor: and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; in that exact order in which they were directed to encamp under four standards, and so many tribes under each standard, (<040201>Numbers 2:1-34) and the Spirit of God came upon him; not in his grace but in his gifts; not as a spirit of sanctification, but as a spirit of prophecy, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan paraphrase it; and so sometimes the Spirit of God in this sense has come upon wicked men, as on Caiaphas and others, (<431151>John 11:51 <400722>Matthew 7:22,23).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes--that is, in the orderly distribution of the camp (Num. 2:1-34). the spirit of God came upon him--Before the regular ministry of the prophets was instituted, God made use of various persons as the instruments through whom He revealed His will, and Balaam was one of these (Deu 23:5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Balaam gazed over the camp of Israel that stretched before him, and allowed the spectacle to work its own influence upon him. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Came upon him - Inspired him to speak the following words. Numbers 24:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“abiding: Num 24:5, 2:2-34, Num 23:9, Num 23:10; Sol 6:4, Sol 6:10 the spirit: Num 11:25-29; Sa1 10:10, Sa1 19:20, Sa1 19:23; Ch2 15:1; Mat 7:22, Mat 10:4, Mat 10:8; Luk 10:20; Joh 11:49-51 Numbers 24:3”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification