Teks -- Numbers 22:7 (NET)

22:7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fee for divination in their hand. They came to Balaam and reported to him the words of Balak.

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

JFB: Num 22:7 - the elders of Moab and . . . of Midian departed with the rewards of divination

Like the fee of a fortune teller, and being a royal present, it would be something handsome.

Clarke: Num 22:7 - The rewards of divination

The rewards of divination - Whoever went to consult a prophet took with him a present, as it was on such gratuitous offerings the prophets lived; but here more than a mere present is intended, perhaps every thing necessary to provide materials for the incantation. The drugs, etc., used on such occasions were often very expensive. It appears that Balaam was very covetous, and that he loved the wages of unrighteousness, and probably lived by it; see 2Pe 2:15.

TSK: Num 22:7 - rewards of divination

rewards of divination : 1Sa 9:7, 1Sa 9:8; Isa 56:11; Eze 13:19; Mic 3:11; Rom 16:18; 1Ti 6:9, 1Ti 6:10; Tit 1:11; 2Pe 2:15; Jud 1:11

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

Poole: Num 22:7 - With the rewards of divination

With the rewards of divination Heb. with divinations ; by which he understands not the instruments of divination, which it was needless and absurd to bring to so eminent a diviner, who doubtless was thoroughly furnished for his own trade; but the rewards of it, as it is explained 2Pe 2:15 , and as in the Hebrew, 2Sa 4:10 , good tidings is put for the reward of good tidings . Nor is it probable they would go to, or could expect to prevail with such a person, especially being noted for his covetousness, as appears from the story, without that powerful engine.

Haydock: Num 22:7 - The price

The price. Hebrew literally, "the enchantments." But they took money, to engage the soothsayer to comply more readily with their iniquitous request, 2 Peter ii. 15. (Septuagint, &c.) It was customary to offer presents to the prophets, 1 Kings ix. 7.

Gill: Num 22:7 - And the elders of Moab, and the elders of Midian, departed // with the rewards of divination in their hands // and they came unto Balaam // and spake unto him the words of Balak

And the elders of Moab, and the elders of Midian, departed,.... By which it appears that they were princes and nobles; for such the elders were, that were sent on this errand to Balaam; and that they were some of both people, Midian and Moab, that went upon it, see Num 22:14 which shows, that if they were not one people, under one king, which yet seems likely, nevertheless they made a common cause of it, and joined in this expedient to save their country:

with the rewards of divination in their hands; not that diviners were sent along with them to Balsam, as Aben Ezra interprets it, that he might not deceive them, and put them off, by saying it was not a fit and proper day or hour to go out and curse, which these men would be able to refute; but if they were skilled in the art of divination as well as he, what need was there to send to him, when they had such at hand? nor instruments of divination, as Jarchi, which so famous a soothsayer could not be thought to be without; but, as we rightly render it, the rewards of divination, which were either fixed or left to the generosity of those that had recourse to such persons, and were presents which they brought them, in order to engage them to use the utmost of their art for them; and this sense is confirmed by the Apostles Peter and Jude, see 2Pe 2:15,

and they came unto Balaam; at Pethor:

and spake unto him the words of Balak: told him the errand they were sent on to him by the king of Moab.