Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Trudey N Santos" <santry AT bigpond.com.au>]

Dear Peter
These came from my electronic library.  I don't know if they help much as
they all seem to be trying to understand why themselves.

Trudey Santos

Jerome's Biblical Commentary
43        (b) The Second Summons (22:15-41).18. The name of Yahweh on the 
lips of
Balaam is strange, but it is not necessary to hold that the pagan diviner
was a worshiper of the true God. The sacred writer was teaching the reader
that Balaam was completely dependent on the all-powerful God of Israel. His
control of events extended beyond the borders of Israel; the will of Yahweh
and not the spoken word of any prophet was the decisive factor. And the will
of God could not be coerced by a fee!

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible
Balak sends a second invitation (22:15–20). This time the messengers are
princes, not elders. The reward offered is greater. Balaam replies in a
pious manner. He hopes for a sign that will give him the freedom to go. He
receives it from the Lord with the stipulation: “do only what I tell you.”
Balaam is informed that he will not be able to curse as a diviner; rather,
he is to be the Lord’s agent. This should have convinced Balaam that he will
not be able to serve Balak, Moab, or Midian.

Believer’s study Bible [computer file]
The name “Balaam,” perhaps an intentional corruption, meant “devourer of the
people.” His claims to a relationship with Yahweh (“the Lord” in vv. 8, 13,
18, 19) were surely false (notice the narrator uniformly refers to the One
speaking to Balaam as “God”), although the Lord condescended to speak to
Balaam and to use him against his will. As the Lord could enable a donkey to
speak to Balaam (v. 28), He could use a pagan diviner to speak the inspired
Word of God in blessing Israel. Scripture uniformly testifies to his
reprobate character (31:8, 16; Deut. 23:3–6; Josh. 13:22; 24:9, 10; Judg.
11:23–25; Neh. 13:1–3; Mic. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:15, 16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14). All
the people of the ancient Near East believed in the dynamic power of the
spoken word. When a word was spoken, it was trusted to release power either
for good or for evil. The dynamic power of words also has a place in the
Bible (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11). Isaac could not recall the blessing once the
power of it had been released on Jacob (Gen. 27:35), even though the
blessing had been secured by treachery. The N.T. maintains the dynamic of
the Word in proclaiming that the Word became flesh (John 1:1ff.) and is
living (Heb. 4:12).


-----Original Message-----
From: peterg45 AT excite.com [mailto:peterg45 AT excite.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 2:49 PM
To: Biblical Hebrew
Subject: Numbers 22.18


   I am leading a really terrific Bible study (not developed by me). We are
studying the "Wilderness Wanderings" of Israel, and did some focusing on the
Balak/Balaam episode. In Numbers 22.18, Balaam refers to the Lord as "the
Lord my God"--YHWH 'elohai. I have checked commentaries, but no one seems to
comment on his choice of words here. He is from Mesopotamnia. Is he
acquainted with YHWH, or is he just using the term as a cop-out: "It's not
my fault I have to bless; the God of the Hebrews made me do it"?

Gordon Goltz





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