Discovery BoxNumbers 23:2-3 
Context23:2 So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each 1 altar a bull and a ram. 23:3 Balaam said to Balak, “Station yourself 2 by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me 3 I will tell you.” 4 Then he went to a deserted height. 5
Numbers 23:29-30
Context23:29 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars here for me, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams.” 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
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 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.
3 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.
4 tn The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. This clause is dependent on the clause that precedes it.
5 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.
