Numbers 24:4

“He hath said, which heard the words of God, etc.] God speaking to him, which he did several times, and with which he was greatly elated, (see <042209>Numbers 22:9,20 23:4,5,16): which saw the vision of the Almighty; not that he had a sight of any similitude of God, though the angel that appeared to him, which was Christ the uncreated angel, might appear in an human form, for some visible form was seen both by the ass and him; but rather this respects the visions of God to him in the night; it may be in a dream, as has been already observed, and which the following words seem to confirm: falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: or falling into a deep sleep, and yet the eyes of his…”

“The “falling” of which Balaam speaks was the condition under which the inward opening of his eyes took place. It indicates the force of the divine inspiration overpowering the seer. The faithful prophets of the Lord do not appear to have been subject to these violent illapses Daniel 8:17; Revelation 1:17. In Balaam and in Saul 1 Samuel 19:24 the word of God could only prevail by first subduing the alien will, and overpowering the bodily energies which the will ordinarily directs. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The vision - So called properly, because he was awake when this was revealed to him: A trance - Or, extasy, fainting and falling upon the ground, as the prophets used to do. Numbers 24:6”

“saw: Num 12:6; Gen 15:12; Psa 89:19; Dan 8:26, Dan 8:27; Act 10:10, Act 10:19, Act 22:17; Co2 12:1-4 falling: Num 22:31; Sa1 19:24; Eze 1:28; Dan 8:17, Dan 8:18, Dan 10:15, Dan 10:16; Rev 1:10, Rev 1:17 Numbers 24:6”