Numbers 22:36

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.

Numbers 23:3

23:3 Balaam said to Balak, “Station yourself 1  by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me 2  I will tell you.” 3  Then he went to a deserted height. 4 

1 tn The verb הִתְיַצֵּב (hityatsev) means “to take a stand, station oneself.” It is more intentional than simply standing by something. He was to position himself by the sacrifice as Balaam withdrew to seek the oracle.

2 tn Heb “and the word of what he shows me.” The noun is in construct, and so the clause that follows functions as a noun clause in the genitive. The point is that the word will consist of divine revelation.

3 tn The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. This clause is dependent on the clause that precedes it.

4 sn He went up to a bald spot, to a barren height. The statement underscores the general belief that such tops were the closest things to the gods. On such heights people built their shrines and temples.