Numbers 22:41 to Numbers 23:6. Balak's Sacrifices preliminary to Balaam's first Oracle. This section proceeds from E. Balak brought Balaam to Bamoth-baal (Numbers 22:41 mg.), the site of a sanctuary placed where Balaam could have the objects of his expected curse before him. The sacrifices offered by Balak were designed to dispose God to favour his wishes; and the altars and the victims were reckoned by sevens, because seven was a sacred number among many ancient peoples (Genesis 21:28; Joshua 6:4, Verg. Æ n. vi. 38). The sacredness attaching to it was perhaps derived from the sun, moon, and five planets known in antiquity (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). The idea of its sanctity was probably derived by the Israelites from Babylonia, where it occurs in inscriptions.
Numbers 22:41. the utmost part: i.e. the end nearest to the spectator. The LXX rightly gives the sense some portion.
Numbers 23:2. omit and Balaam; the offerings were Balak's (Numbers 22:3).
Numbers 22:4. and he said. altar: these words must have been spoken to Balaam by Balak and should be transposed to the end of Numbers 22:2.
Numbers 22:5. And Yahweh: this should follow the first clause of Numbers 22:4.
Numbers 22:7. took up his parable: i.e. took upon his lips the oracle he was inspired to utter.