Bilangan 10:31

10:31 Moses ¹  said, “Do not leave us, ²  because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. ³ 

Bilangan 22:37

22:37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send again and again ⁴  to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” ⁵ 

Bilangan 23:27

23:27 Balak said to Balaam, “Come, please; I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God ⁶  to let you curse them for me from there.” ⁷ 

[10:31]  ¹ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[10:31]  ² tn The form with אַל־נָא (’al-na’) is a jussive; negated it stresses a more immediate request, as if Hobab is starting to leave, or at least determined to leave.

[10:31]  ³ tn In the Hebrew text the expression is more graphic: “you will be for us for eyes.” Hobab was familiar with the entire Sinai region, and he could certainly direct the people where they were to go. The text does not record Hobab’s response. But the fact that Kenites were in Canaan as allies of Judah (Judg 1:16) would indicate that he gave in and came with Moses. The first refusal may simply be the polite Semitic practice of declining first so that the appeal might be made more urgently.

[22:37]  ⁴ tn The emphatic construction is made of the infinitive absolute and the perfect tense from the verb שָׁלַח (shalakh, “to send”). The idea must be more intense than something like, “Did I not certainly send.” Balak is showing frustration with Balaam for refusing him.

[22:37]  ⁵ sn Balak again refers to his ability to “honor” the seer. This certainly meant payment for his service, usually gold ornaments, rings and jewelry, as well as some animals.

[23:27]  ⁶ tn Heb “be pleasing in the eyes of God.”

[23:27]  ⁷ sn Balak is stubborn, as indeed Balaam is persistent. But Balak still thinks that if another location were used it just might work. Balaam had actually told Balak in the prophecy that other attempts would fail. But Balak refuses to give up so easily. So he insists they perform the ritual and try again. This time, however, Balaam will change his approach, and this will result in a dramatic outpouring of power on him.