Teks -- Numbers 22:36 (NET)

Balaam Meets Balak

22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at a city of Moab which was on the border of the Arnon at the boundary of his territory.

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

Wesley: Num 22:36 - In the utmost coast

Not far from the camp of the Israelites, whom he desired him to curse.

JFB: Num 22:36-37 - when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him

Politeness requires that the higher the rank of the expected guest, greater distance is to be gone to welcome his arrival.

Calvin: Num 22:36 - And whenBalak heard that Balaam was come

36.And whenBalak heard that Balaam was come This passage admirably represents to us the spirit of all those who are devoted to their various superstitions without a sincere fear of God. They are cringing to their false prophets; they meanly flatter them, and hardly stop short of worshipping them, so that nothing more obsequious can be imagined; yet they inwardly cherish pride, which breaks out when they by no means expect, it. The king goes forth to meet the prophet, and to pay due honors to himself and his office. It is a great condescension; for it is equivalent to laying his crown and sceptre at his feet: but his dissimulation soon discovers itself, when, expostulating with Balaam, he boasts of his power and riches, wherewith he was able to reward him. Now this is precisely as if he should make the prophetical office subservient to money, and claim the dominion over its revelations by means of his wealth. However great, then, may be the servility with which superstitious persons flatter their idols and priests, still they never lay aside their proud spirits. Such zeal we may see in the Papists, who are as prodigal as possible of the reverence which they parade towards their prelates and monks; but on this condition, that they will be, on their part, complacent to their lusts. If, therefore, a priest, (sacrificus) will not gratify his worshippers, they inveigh against him with as much bitterness as if he were any swine-herd.

The answer of Balaam at first sight breathes nothing but piety: “I have come, (he says,) but I must needs speak as God shall command.” Whereby he signifies, that, as far as civility required, and inasmuch as depended upon himself, he would have complied with the wishes of the king; but that, in regard to his office as a prophet, he was not at liberty to do this, inasmuch as he would disregard the favor of all mankind, in order that he might obey the commands of God alone.

TSK: Num 22:36 - went // the border

went : Gen 14:17, Gen 18:2, Gen 46:29; Exo 18:7; 1Sa 13:10; Act 28:15

the border : Num 21:13, Num 21:14; Deu 2:24, Deu 3:8; Jdg 11:18; Isa 16:2; Jer 48:20

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

Poole: Num 22:36 - The utmost coast

That by this great honour he might give him a taste and earnest of those great rewards he designed him, and thereby oblige him to use his utmost skill and interest for him.

The utmost coast not far from the camp of the Israelites, whom he desired him to curse.

Haydock: Num 22:36 - A town

A town. Eusebius thinks it was Ar, the capital.

Gill: Num 22:36 - And when Balak heard that Balaam was come // he went out to meet him // unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast

And when Balak heard that Balaam was come,.... Messengers being sent to acquaint him with it, either by Balaam, or by the princes:

he went out to meet him; overjoyed at the news that his princes had succeeded, and to show him respect, and do him honour, and all to encourage him to do his utmost for him:

unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast; by the situation of it, being on the border of the river Arnon, which river was in the extreme parts of Moab, and divided between the Moabites and Amorites, it is generally thought to be the city Ar, called "Ar of Moab", see Num 21:13, and the king coming to meet Balaam so far as the uttermost border of his dominions showed the greater respect to him.