Discovery BoxNumbers 22:27 
Context22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she crouched down under Balaam. Then Balaam was angry, and he beat his donkey with a staff.
Numbers 23:2
Context23:2 So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each 1 altar a bull and a ram.
Numbers 22:9
Context22:9 And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
Numbers 22:39
Context22:39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
Numbers 23:25
Context23:25 Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all 2 nor bless them at all!” 3
Numbers 23:28
Context23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness. 4
Numbers 24:12
Context24:12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,
Numbers 24:25
Context24:25 Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, 5 and Balak also went his way.
1 tn The Hebrew text has “on the altar,” but since there were seven of each animal and seven altars, the implication is that this means on each altar.
2 tn The verb is preceded by the infinitive absolute: “you shall by no means curse” or “do not curse them at all.” He brought him to curse, and when he tried to curse there was a blessing. Balak can only say it would be better not to bother.
3 tn The same construction now works with “nor bless them at all.” The two together form a merism – “don’t say anything.” He does not want them blessed, so Balaam is not to do that, but the curse isn’t working either.
4 tn Or perhaps as a place name, “Jeshimon” (cf. 21:20).
5 tn Heb “place.”
