John Gill's Exposition on Numbers 24:15

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

And he took up his parable, and said, etc.] In this and the following verse; the same preface, in the same words, is made to his prophecy as before, (see Gill on “<042403>Numbers 24:3”) (see Gill on “<042404>Numbers 24:4”); only one clause is added, “and knew the knowledge of the Most High”; that Balaam had some knowledge of God is certain from the names by which he calls him, being such that he made himself known by to the patriarchs, and by which he is frequently called in the sacred writings; but then this knowledge of his was merely notional and speculative, and not spiritual and supernatural, and was such as men may have who are destitute of the grace of God: he was one that professed to know him in words, but in works denied him, (see <461302>1 Corinthians 13:2 <560116> Titus 1:16) and he also was admitted to much nearness to God, and converse with him, of which he boasted; but then this was not for his own sake, or as a mark of friendship to him, but for the sake of the people of Israel, and to prevent his doing them mischief. His prophecy follows.

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