Numbers 23:1

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

American King James Version (AKJV)

And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

American Standard Version (ASV)

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And Balaam said to Balak, Make me here seven altars and get ready seven oxen and seven male sheep.

Webster's Revision

And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

World English Bible

Balaam said to Balak, "Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams."

English Revised Version (ERV)

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

Clarke's Numbers 23:1 Bible Commentary

Build me here seven altars, etc. - The oxen and the rams were such as the Mosaic law had ordered to be offered to God in sacrifice; the building of seven altars was not commanded. Some think that these seven altars were built to the seven planets: this is most gratuitously said; of it there is no proof whatever; it is mere trifling, even with conjecture. As seven was a number of perfection, Balaam chose it on this occasion, because he intended to offer a grand sacrifice, and to offer a bullock and a ram upon each of the altars; the whole to be made a burnt-offering at the same time. And as he intended to offer seven bullocks and seven rams at the same time, it could not be conveniently done on one altar, therefore he ordered seven to be built. We need go no farther to find out his reasons.

Barnes's Numbers 23:1 Bible Commentary

Balaam, after the general custom of the pagan, prefaced his divinations by sacrifice. In the number of the altars regard was probably had to the number of the then known planets. Yet Balaam evidently intended his sacrifice as an offering to the true God.

Wesley's Numbers 23:1 Bible Commentary

23:1 Build seven altars - To the true God, otherwise he would not have mentioned it to God, as an argument why he should grant his requests, as he doth, Numbers 23:4 .And though Balak was averse from God and his worship, yet he would be easily overruled by Balaam, who doubtless told him that it was in vain to make an address to any other than the God of Israel, who alone was able either to bless or curse them as he pleased. Seven - This being the solemn and usual number in sacrifices.

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