Numbers 24:4 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: Falling into a trance - There is no indication in the Hebrew that he fell into a trance; these words are added by our translators, but they are not in the original. נפל nophel is the only word used, and simply signifies falling, or falling down, perhaps in this instance by way of religious prostration.