King James Version
What Does Numbers 23:18 Mean?
“And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:”
Context
16
And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
17
And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
18
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Commentary
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary**3-6. ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth without the camp--**He was the second or deputy high priest, and he was selected for this duty because the execution of it entailed temporary defilement, from which the acting high priest was to be preserved with the greatest care. It was led "forth without the camp," in accordance with the law regarding victims laden with the sins of the people, and thus typical of Christ (He 13:12; also Le 24:14). The priest was to sprinkle the blood "seven times" before--literally, "towards" or "near" the tabernacle, a description which seems to imply either that he carried a portion of the blood in a basin to the door of the tabernacle (Le 4:17), or that in the act of sprinkling he turned his face towards the sacred edifice, being disqualified through the defiling influence of this operation from approaching close to it. By this attitude he indicated that he was presenting an expiatory sacrifice, for the acceptance of which he hoped, in the grace of God, by looking to the mercy seat. Every part of it was consumed by fire except the blood used in sprinkling, and the ingredients mixed with the ashes were the same as those employed in the sprinkling of lepers (Le 14:4-7). It was a water of separation--that is, of "sanctification" for the people of Israel.
Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Numbers 23:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Numbers 23:18
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge