Teks -- Numbers 23:23 (NET)

23:23 For there is no spell against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel. At this time it must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Look at what God has done!’

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Num 23:23 - Against Jacob

Nor against any that truly believe in Christ.

Wesley: Num 23:23 - What hath God wrought

How wonderful and glorious are those works which God is now about to do for Israel! These things will be a matter of discourse and admiration to all ages.

JFB: Num 23:23 - Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob

No art can ever prevail against a people who are under the shield of Omnipotence, and for whom miracles have been and yet shall be performed, which will be a theme of admiration in succeeding ages.

Clarke: Num 23:23 - There is no enchantment, etc.

There is no enchantment, etc. - Because God has determined to save them, therefore no enchantment can prevail against them

Clarke: Num 23:23 - According to this time, etc.

According to this time, etc. - I think this clause should be read thus: "As at this time it shall be told to Jacob and to Israel what God worketh;"i. e., this people shall always have prophetic information of what God is about to work. And indeed, they are the only people under heaven who ever had this privilege. When God himself designed to punish them because of their sins, he always forewarned them by the prophets; and also took care to apprise them of all the plots of their enemies against them.

Calvin: Num 23:23 - Surely there is no enchantment

23.Surely there is no enchantment This passage is commonly expounded as an encomium on the people, because they are not given to enchantments and magical superstitions, as God also had strictly enjoined upon them in His law that they should not pollute themselves by such defilements. Others thus explain it, The Israelites shall not want enchanters, because by the Urim and Thummim, or by the Prophets, God would reveal to them whatever should be profitable for them. Their opinion is more correct who thus interpret it, No enchantment and no divination avails against the Israelites. Let us now proceed to explain this more clearly. Balaam, in my judgment, confesses that there is no room for His enchantments, or that his customary arts fail him now, because their efficacy and power cannot affect the Israelites. And this confession harmonizes with the words of Pharaoh’s magicians, when they said, “This is the finger of God,” (Exo 8:19;) after they had pertinaciously contended, until God compelled them to yield. Thus now Balaam declares that the elect people were defended from on high, so that his divinations were ineffectual, and his enchantments vain.

The other clause of the verse appears to me to be simply to this effect, that God would henceforth perform mighty works for the defense of His people which should be related with admiration. The translation which some give is constrained and far-fetched, “As at this time it shall be said, What has God wrought in Israel?” for Balaam rather would say, that great should be the progress of God’s grace, the beginnings only of which then appeared; and in short, he declares that henceforth memorable should be the performances of God in behalf of His people, which should supply abundant subjects for history.

Defender: Num 23:23 - no enchantment against Jacob

Balaam's occultic powers were of no avail against the omnipotence of God. Likewise, Christians today need not fear the occult or its practitioners as long as they are walking in God's will.

Defender: Num 23:23 - What hath God wrought

This exclamation was appropriated by the great Christian scientist/ artist/inventor, Samuel F. B. Morse, as the first message to be sent over his telegraph invention which revolutionized communication."

TSK: Num 23:23 - no enchantment // against // according // What hath

no enchantment : Num 22:6, Num 24:1; Gen 3:15; Mat 12:25, Mat 12:27, Mat 16:18; Luk 10:18, Luk 10:19; Rom 16:20; Rev 12:9

against : or, in

according : Psa 44:1-3, Psa 136:13-20; Isa 63:9-12; Dan 9:15; Mic 6:4, Mic 6:5, Mic 7:15

What hath : Psa 31:19, Psa 64:9, Psa 126:2, Psa 126:3; Isa 41:4; Joh 11:47; Act 4:16, Act 5:12, Act 5:14; Act 10:38, Act 15:12; Gal 1:23, Gal 1:24; 1Th 1:8, 1Th 1:9

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Num 23:23 - According to this time // What hath God wrought!

I find by experience and serious consideration that all mine and thine endeavours to enchant Israel are in vain, being frustrated by their omnipotent God. I can do thee no service by my art against them.

According to this time not only in succeeding times and ages, of which he speaks, Num 24:17 , &c., but even now, in this time and age, and so forward.

What hath God wrought! i.e. how wonderful and glorious are those works which God is now about to do for Israel, by drying up Jordan, by subduing the Canaanites, &c.! These things will be matter of discourse and admiration to all ages.

Haydock: Num 23:23 - Soothsaying // Hath wrought

Soothsaying. This may be joined to what goes before, as an explanation why Israel is so much to be feared; because the people have no dealings with the devil, in which case neither he nor all his agents can hurt them, since God is their protector, and will direct them when and how to act. ---

Hath wrought. Septuagint, "will bring to perfection." (Origen, contra Cels.) The Hebrew may also signify, "undoubtedly there is no charm powerful enough against....Israel," or "Jacob has no regard for the vain art of divination. Israel does not apply to augury. This very time will be memorable among their posterity for the wonders which God has wrought." Indeed, never was there a greater display of the Divine power in favour of the Hebrews, than in this 40th year after their exit from Egypt; and in the following, which was noted for the victories and miracles of Josue. (Haydock)

Gill: Num 23:23 - Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel // according to this time it shall be said of Jacob, and of Israel, what hath God wrought!

Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel,.... Balaam here owns, that all his enchantments and divinations signified nothing, and would never prevail to bring a curse upon Israel; it was a vain thing for him to use them, and as vain for Balak to expect anything from them; neither he nor any other enchanter and soothsayer, using all the arts they are masters of, could ever do any hurt to such a people, who were the peculiar care of God, and were his church, against which the gates of hell could not prevail: or "in Jacob" and "in Israel" ^m; and this is the sense of all the Targums, that there are no enchantments nor enchanters, no divinations nor diviners in Israel; these were not agreeable to them, nor suffered among them, and therefore they were acceptable and well pleasing in the sight of God and indeed this sense agrees both with the literal version of the words, and is the sense Jarchi gives of them; that these people were fit for the blessing, because there were no enchanters and diviners among them; though he mentions another, and that is, that Israel had no need of enchanters and diviners, and of their enchantments and divinations, because they had the prophets to inform them, and the Urim and Thummim to declare things unto them:

according to this time it shall be said of Jacob, and of Israel, what hath God wrought! as with respect to this time as well as to time past, and with respect to time to come, even with respect to all times; it shall be said with wonder and amazement, what great things has God done for this people! as bringing them out of the land of Egypt, leading them through the Red sea, feeding and supplying them in the wilderness, protecting them from their enemies there, expelling the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, and setting them there in their stead; and wonderful things has God done for his spiritual Israel, in the redemption of them by Christ, in the beginning and carrying on the work of grace upon their hearts, by his Spirit; and at last he will bring them all to the heavenly Canaan of rest and happiness, and where this will be matter of admiration with them to all eternity, what has God done for us?