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(^7) It is of curious interest, that precisely the same names occur in the royal Edomitish
family: Genesis 36:32.
(^8) By Bishop Harold Browne, from the analogy of his father's name to that of later
Midianite chiefs - the name Zippor, "bird," reminding us of Oreb, "crow," and Zeeb,
"wolf." The later Targumim also regard Balak as of Midianitish origin.
(^9) See the proof passages in Kurtz' History of the Old Covenant, vol. 3 p. 399; and the
very interesting discussion on the subject by Dollinger, in his splendid work,
Heidenthum u. Judenthum. 155
(^10) As this is not the place for theological or critical discussion, I will only remark, that I
cannot accept either of the opposing views of Balaam's character - that he was a true
prophet of Jehovah, or that he was simply "a prophet of the devil," "who was compelled
by God, against his will, to bless." But as little do I profess myself able to receive, or
even properly to understand, the view of recent critics (Hengsterberg, Kurtz, Keil,
Bishop Harold Browne, etc.), that Balaam "was in a transition state from one to the
other," that "he knew and confessed Jehovah, sought and found him;" but that, "on the
other hand, he was not sufficiently advanced in the knowledge and service of Jehovah
to throw overboard every kind of heathen augury." I have, therefore, subjected the
whole question to fresh investigation, the results of which are given in the text.
(^11) Literally, "because he was going." Keil rightly points out that the use of the participle
here implies, that God's anger was kindled by the spirit and disposition in which he was
going, rather than by the fact of his going.
(^12) This is not the place to enter into critical discussions. The great matter is to
understand the meaning and object of this narrative, in whatever manner the "man's
voice" may have issued from the "dumb ass," or the human language have reached the
consciousness of Balaam.
(^13) Canon Tristram identifies this with the old Ar, or Rabbath Moab (Land of Moab, p.
110). But this latter seems too far south for the requirements of the text.
(^14) Joshua 13:19; Ezekiel 25:9, etc. See the description of the place, and of the prospect
from it, in Tristram, u.s., pp. 270, 276.
(^15) Tristram, p. 304.
(^16) So literally; Numbers 23:3.
(^)