Numbers 24
Commentary from 10 fathers
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and sees Israel encamped by their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
καὶ ἐξάρας Βαλαὰμ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καθορᾷ τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐστρατοπεδευκότα κατὰ φυλάς, καὶ ἐγένετο πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ,
И҆ возве́дъ валаа́мъ ѻ҆́чи своѝ, ᲂу҆зрѣ̀ і҆и҃лѧ ѡ҆полчи́вшасѧ по племенѡ́мъ: и҆ бы́сть дх҃ъ бж҃їй на не́мъ.
And he took up his parable and said, Balaam son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says,
καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπε· φησὶ Βαλαὰμ υἱὸς Βεώρ, φησὶν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν,
И҆ воспрїи́мъ при́тчꙋ свою̀ речѐ: глаго́летъ валаа́мъ, сы́нъ веѡ́ровъ, глаго́летъ человѣ́къ и҆́стиннѡ зрѧ́й,
he says who hears the oracle of the Mighty One, who saw a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened:
φησὶν ἀκούων λόγια ἰσχυροῦ, ὅστις ὅρασιν Θεοῦ εἶδεν ἐν ὕπνῳ, ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ·
глаго́летъ слꙋ́шаѧй словеса̀ крѣ́пкагѡ, и҆́же видѣ́нїе бж҃їе ви́дѣ во снѣ̀: ѿвє́рсты ѻ҆́чи є҆гѡ̀:
How goodly [are] thy habitations, Jacob, and thy tents, Israel!
ὡς καλοὶ οἱ οἶκοί σου ᾿Ιακώβ, αἱ σκηναί σου ᾿Ισραήλ!
ко́ль добрѝ до́ми твоѝ, і҆а́кѡве, и҆ кꙋ́щы твоѧ̑, і҆и҃лю:
as shady groves, and as gardens by a river, and as tents which God pitched, and as cedars by the waters.
ὡσεὶ νάπαι σκιάζουσαι καὶ ὡσεὶ παράδεισοι ἐπὶ ποταμῷ καὶ ὡσεὶ σκηναί, ἃς ἔπηξε Κύριος, καὶ ὡσεὶ κέδροι παρ’ ὕδατα.
ꙗ҆́кѡ дꙋбра̑вы ѡ҆сѣнѧ́ющыѧ и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ са́дїе при рѣка́хъ, и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ кꙋ́щы, ꙗ҆̀же водрꙋзѝ гдⷭ҇ь, и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ ке́дри при вода́хъ:
There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased.
ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ καὶ κυριεύσει ἐθνῶν πολλῶν, καὶ ὑψωθήσεται ἢ Γὼγ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐξηθήσεται βασιλεία αὐτοῦ.
и҆зы́детъ человѣ́къ ѿ сѣ́мене є҆гѡ̀, и҆ ѡ҆блада́етъ ꙗ҆зы̑ки мно́гими: и҆ возвы́ситсѧ па́че гѡ́га ца́рство є҆гѡ̀, и҆ возрасте́тъ ца́рство є҆гѡ̀:
God led him out of Egypt; he has as it were the glory of a unicorn: he shall consume the nations of his enemies, and he shall drain their marrow, and with his darts he shall shoot through the enemy.
Θεὸς ὡδήγησεν αὐτὸν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, ὡς δόξα μονοκέρωτος αὐτῷ· ἔδεται ἔθνη ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ πάχη αὐτῶν ἐκμυελιεῖ καὶ ταῖς βολίσιν αὐτοῦ κατατοξεύσει ἐχθρόν·
бг҃ъ и҆зведѐ є҆го̀ и҆з̾ є҆гѵ́пта, ꙗ҆́коже сла́ва є҆диноро́га є҆мꙋ̀: поѧ́стъ ꙗ҆зы́ки вра̑гъ свои́хъ и҆ то́лщы и҆́хъ и҆зможди́тъ, и҆ стрѣла́ми свои́ми ᲂу҆стрѣли́тъ врага̀:
The oracle in the previously quoted prophecy, in saying that the Lord would come into Egypt, foretold the journey of our Lord Jesus Christ when he went into Egypt with his parents. Here we have the prophecy of his return from Egypt in its natural order, when he came back with his parents into the land of Israel, in the words “God led him out of Egypt.” For our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ of God, was the only one of the seed of Israel and of the Jewish race who has rule over many nations, so that it is indisputable that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy which says, literally, “that a man will come from the Jewish race and rule over many nations.” If he is not, let him who will suggest some other famous man among the Hebrews who has ruled over many nations. But this he cannot do, for such a man never existed. But with regard to our Savior, truth itself will shout and cry aloud, even if we say nothing. This shows plainly that his divine power has ruled, through the human he took of the seed of Israel according to the flesh, and even now will rule many nations.
Proof of the Gospel 8.3
He lay down, he rested as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall stir him up? they that bless thee are blessed, and they that curse thee are cursed.
κατακλιθεὶς ἀνεπαύσατο ὡς λέων καὶ ὡς σκύμνος· τίς ἀναστήσει αὐτόν; οἱ εὐλογοῦντές σε εὐλόγηνται, καὶ οἱ καταρώμενοί σε κεκατήρανται.
возле́гъ почѝ ꙗ҆́кѡ ле́въ и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ скѵ́менъ: кто̀ возбꙋ́дитъ є҆го̀; благословѧ́щїи тѧ̀ благослове́ни, и҆ проклина́ющїи тѧ̀ про́клѧти.
And Balac was angry with Balaam, and clapped his hands together; and Balac said to Balaam, I called thee to curse my enemy, and behold thou hast decidedly blessed [him] this third time.
καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλὰκ ἐπὶ Βαλαὰμ καὶ συνεκρότησε ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαάμ· καταρᾶσθαι τὸν ἐχθρόν μου κέκληκά σε, καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλογῶν εὐλόγησας τρίτον τοῦτο·
И҆ разгнѣ́васѧ вала́къ на валаа́ма, и҆ плеснꙋ̀ рꙋка́ми свои́ми, и҆ речѐ вала́къ къ валаа́мꙋ: клѧ́ти тѧ̀ врага̀ моего̀ призва́хъ, и҆ сѐ, благословлѧ́ѧ благослови́лъ є҆сѝ и҆̀хъ въ тре́тїе:
Now therefore flee to thy place: I said, I will honour thee, but now the Lord has deprived thee of glory.
νῦν οὖν φεῦγε εἰς τὸν τόπον σου· εἶπα, τιμήσω σε, καὶ νῦν ἐστέρησέ σε Κύριος τῆς δόξης.
нн҃ѣ ᲂу҆̀бо бѣжѝ на мѣ́сто своѐ: реко́хъ, почтꙋ́ тѧ: и҆ нн҃ѣ лиши́ тѧ гдⷭ҇ь сла́вы.
And Balaam said to Balac, Did I not speak to thy messengers also whom thou sentest to me, saying,
καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλάκ· οὐχὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις σου, οὓς ἀπέστειλας πρός με, ἐλάλησα λέγων·
И҆ речѐ валаа́мъ къ вала́кꙋ: и҆ послѡ́мъ твои̑мъ, и҆̀хже посла́лъ є҆сѝ ко мнѣ̀, не реко́хъ ли, глаго́лѧ:
If Balac should give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the Lord to make it good or bad by myself; whatsoever things God shall say, them will I speak.
ἐάν μοι δῷ Βαλὰκ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου, οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα Κυρίου ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ καλὸν ἢ πονηρὸν παρ’ ἐμαυτοῦ· ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃ ὁ Θεός, ταῦτα ἐρῶ.
а҆́ще мѝ да́стъ вала́къ хра́минꙋ свою̀ по́лнꙋ сребра̀ и҆ зла́та, не могꙋ̀ престꙋпи́ти сло́ва бж҃їѧ, є҆́же сотвори́ти є҆̀ ѕло̀ и҆лѝ добро̀ ѿ менє̀ сама́гѡ: є҆ли̑ка а҆́ще рече́тъ мѝ бг҃ъ, сїѧ̑ возглаго́лю;
And now, behold, I return to my place; come, I will advise thee of what this people shall do to thy people in the last days.
καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀποτρέχω εἰς τὸν τόπον μου· δεῦρο συμβουλεύσω σοι, τί ποιήσει ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τὸν λαόν σου ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν.
и҆ нн҃ѣ, сѐ, и҆дꙋ̀ до мѣ́ста своегѡ̀: грѧдѝ, присовѣ́тꙋю тебѣ̀, что̀ сотворѧ́тъ лю́дїе сі́и лю́демъ твои̑мъ, въ послѣ̑днѧѧ дни̑.
And he took up his parable and said, Balaam the son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says,
καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπε· φυσὶ Βαλαὰμ υἱὸς Βεώρ, φησὶν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν,
И҆ воспрїи́мъ при́тчꙋ свою̀ речѐ: глаго́летъ валаа́мъ сы́нъ веѡ́ровъ, глаго́летъ человѣ́къ и҆́стиннѡ зрѧ́й,
The unholy man does not know the evil he does unless he begins to be punished for the same evils. For Balaam offered counsel against the Israelites and afterwards saw in his punishment what sin he had previously committed. But the elect, who should not sin, are watchful. Their eyes are open before they fall. The eyes of the wicked man are open only after he falls, because after his sin he sees, in his punishment, that he should have avoided the evil he did. Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Numbers
One day we had before us the book of Numbers written by Moses, and [Fabiola] modestly questioned me as to the meaning of the great mass of names there to be found. Why was it, she inquired, that single tribes were differently associated in this passage and in that, how came it to be that the soothsayer Balaam, in prophesying of the future mysteries of Christ, spoke more plainly of him than almost any other prophet? I replied as best I could and tried to satisfy her inquiries.
Letter 77.7
The unholy man does not know the evil he does unless he begins to be punished for the same evils. For Balaam offered counsel against the Israelites and afterwards saw in his punishment what sin he had previously committed. But the elect, who should not sin, are watchful. Their eyes are open before they fall. The eyes of the wicked man are open only after he falls, because after his sin he sees, in his punishment, that he should have avoided the evil he did.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Numbers 20
hearing the oracles of God, receiving knowledge from the Most High, and having seen a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened.
ἀκούων λόγια Θεοῦ, ἐπιστάμενος ἐπιστήμην παρὰ ὑψίστου καὶ ὅρασιν Θεοῦ ἰδὼν ἐν ὕπνῳ, ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ·
слы́шай словеса̀ бж҃їѧ, ᲂу҆мѣ́ѧ ᲂу҆мѣ́нїе вы́шнѧгѡ и҆ видѣ́нїе бж҃їе ви́дѣвый во снѣ̀: ѿвє́рсты ѻ҆́чи є҆гѡ̀:
I will point to him, but not now; I bless him, but he draws not near: a star shall rise out of Jacob, a man shall spring out of Israel; and shall crush the princes of Moab, and shall spoil all the sons of Seth.
δείξω αὐτῷ, καὶ οὐχὶ νῦν· μακαρίζω, καὶ οὐκ ἐγγίζει· ἀνατελεῖ ἄστρον ἐξ ᾿Ιακώβ, ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ θραύσει τοὺς ἀρχηγοὺς Μωὰβ καὶ προνομεύσει πάντας υἱοὺς Σήθ.
покажꙋ̀ є҆мꙋ̀, и҆ не нн҃ѣ: ᲂу҆блажа́ю, и҆ не приближа́етсѧ: возсїѧ́етъ ѕвѣзда̀ ѿ і҆а́кѡва, и҆ воста́нетъ человѣ́къ ѿ і҆и҃лѧ и҆ погꙋби́тъ кнѧ̑зи мѡаві̑тскїѧ, и҆ плѣни́тъ всѧ̑ сы́ны си́ѳѡвы:
Moses himself [wrote] in the book of Numbers: “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a man shall arise out of Israel.” For this cause, therefore, being God, he took upon him flesh, that, becoming a mediator between God and man, having overcome death, he might by his guidance lead man to God.
Epitome of the Divine Institutes 44
We are told that Balaam’s successors moved by this (for the prediction was preserved most likely among them)4 when they noticed in the heavens a strange star besides the usual ones, fixed above the head, so to say, and vertically above Judea, hastened to arrive at Palestine, to inquire about the king announced by the star’s appearance.
Proof of the Gospel 9.1
Listen to the Evangelist’s words about Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews: “He did not give this as a personal opinion, but in his capacity of high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was destined to die, not for the person alone but to bring together into one also the nations that had been scattered.” You will find something like it occurring again in the story of Balaam also: When urged to curse the people, he not merely did not curse them but even prophesied great and wonderful things, not merely about the people but also about the coming of the Savior.
Homilies on Genesis 21:16
Although it was a gift of divine favor that the birth of the Savior should become recognizable to the nations, nevertheless, to understand the wonder of the sign, the wise men were also able to be reminded through the ancient pronouncements of Balaam, for they knew that it had at one time been spread abroad in a famous and memorable prediction: “A star will appear out of Jacob, and a man will rise up from Israel. He will rule over the nations.” So the three men, stirred by God through the shining of this unusual star, follow the course of its gleaming light ahead of them, thinking that they would find the indicated child in the royal city of Jerusalem.When this conjecture had failed them, however, they learned from scribes and teachers of the Jews what the sacred Scriptures had told about the birth of Christ. Encouraged by the double evidence, they sought him out with an even more ardent faith, the one to whom both the brightness of the star and the authority of prophets pointed.
Sermon 34.2
If God’s prophecies were inserted in the sacred books by Moses, how much more so were they copied by men who then lived in Mesopotamia, for they considered Balaam splendid and certainly were disciples of his art! After his time the profession and instruction of the seers is said to have flourished in parts of the Orient. Possessing copies of everything which Balaam prophesied, they even have it written: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a man shall rise from Israel.” The magi kept these writings more among themselves, and so when Jesus was born they recognized the star and understood that the prophecy was fulfilled more than did the people of Israel who disdained to hear the words of the holy prophets. Therefore, only from the writings which Balaam had left, they learned that the time was approaching, came and immediately sought to adore him. Moreover, in order to show their great faith, they honored the little boy as a king.
Sermon 113.2
And Edom shall be an inheritance, and Esau his enemy shall be an inheritance [of Israel], and Israel wrought valiantly.
καὶ ἔσται ᾿Εδὼμ κληρονομία, καὶ ἔσται κληρονομία ῾Ησαῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐποίησεν ἐν ἰσχύϊ.
и҆ бꙋ́детъ є҆дѡ́мъ наслѣ́дїе, и҆ бꙋ́детъ наслѣ́дїе и҆са́ѵъ вра́гъ є҆гѡ̀, и҆ і҆и҃ль сотворѝ крѣ́пость:
And [one] shall arise out of Jacob, and destroy out of the city him that escapes.
καὶ ἐξεγερθήσεται ἐξ ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ ἀπολεῖ σῳζόμενον ἐκ πόλεως.
и҆ воста́нетъ ѿ і҆а́кѡва, и҆ погꙋби́тъ спаса́емаго ѿ гра́да.
And having seen Amalec, he took up his parable and said, Amalec [is] the first of the nations; yet his seed shall perish.
καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν ᾿Αμαλὴκ καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν· ἀρχὴ ἐθνῶν ᾿Αμαλήκ, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν ἀπολεῖται.
И҆ ви́дѣвъ а҆мали́ка и҆ воспрїи́мъ при́тчꙋ свою̀, речѐ: нача́ло ꙗ҆зы́кѡвъ а҆мали́къ, и҆ сѣ́мѧ и҆́хъ поги́бнетъ.
In the book also, which is titled On Numbers, Scripture says: 'The beginning of the nations is Amalek, and his seed shall perish' (Num. XXIV, 20). And indeed, Amalek is not the first of all nations; but because by interpretation Amalek is taken to mean the king of the wicked, and the wicked are the nations: beware lest we should take the prince of this world, who commands the nations doing his will, whose seed shall perish. But his seed are the wicked and the unbelievers, to whom the Lord says: 'You are of your father the devil' (John VIII, 24).
The Six Days of Creation
And having seen the Kenite, he took up his parable and said, thy dwelling-place [is] strong; yet though thou shouldest put thy nest in a rock,
καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν Κεναῖον καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν· ἰσχυρὰ ἡ κατοικία σου· καὶ ἐὰν θῇς ἐν πέτρᾳ τὴν νοσσιάν σου,
И҆ ви́дѣвъ кенео́на и҆ воспрїи́мъ при́тчꙋ свою̀, речѐ: си́льно селе́нїе твоѐ: и҆ а҆́ще положи́ши на ка́мени гнѣздо̀ твоѐ,
Kenite means “possession.” And who are those who possess present things but the ones who are skilled in the study of secular wisdom? They are those who, by their study, truly build themselves a sturdy dwelling, if they make themselves into little children with humility and are nourished by Christ’s grandeur. They sense that they are weak, and [they] place their trust in the exalted humility of the Redeemer they have acknowledged and foster that trust. They do not seek out the heights. They transcend, by the flight of their hearts, everything that is passing. Let us ponder the holy man, how he builds his nest on the rock. For he says, “our conversation is in heaven,” and “who revived and made us be seated in heaven.” This holy man has his nest in the cliffs, because he took counsel on high. He does not want to cast his mind down into the depths; he does not want to dwell in the depths through dejected human conversation. Paul was imprisoned when he attested that he was seated with Christ in heaven. He was where he had fixed his mind, already afire, and not where sluggish flesh retained him by force. Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Numbers
Kenite means “possession.” And who are those who possess present things but the ones who are skilled in the study of secular wisdom? They are those who, by their study, truly build themselves a sturdy dwelling, if they make themselves into little children with humility and are nourished by Christ’s grandeur. They sense that they are weak, and [they] place their trust in the exalted humility of the Redeemer they have acknowledged and foster that trust. They do not seek out the heights. They transcend, by the flight of their hearts, everything that is passing. Let us ponder the holy man, how he builds his nest on the rock. For he says, “our conversation is in heaven,” and “who revived and made us be seated in heaven.” This holy man has his nest in the cliffs, because he took counsel on high. He does not want to cast his mind down into the depths; he does not want to dwell in the depths through dejected human conversation. Paul was imprisoned when he attested that he was seated with Christ in heaven. He was where he had fixed his mind, already afire, and not where sluggish flesh retained him by force.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Numbers 22
and though Beor should have a skillfully contrived hiding-place, the Assyrians shall carry thee away captive.
καὶ ἐὰν γένηται τῷ Βεὼρ νοσσιὰ πανουργίας, ᾿Ασσύριοι αἰχμαλωτεύσουσί σε.
и҆ а҆́ще бꙋ́детъ веѡ́рꙋ гнѣздо̀ кова́рства, а҆ссѷрі́ане плѣнѧ́тъ тѧ̀.
And he looked upon Og, and took up his parable and said, Oh, oh, who shall live, when God shall do these things?
καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν ῍Ωγ καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν· ὦ ὦ, τίς ζήσεται, ὅταν θῇ ταῦτα ὁ Θεός;
И҆ ви́дѣвъ ѡ҆́га и҆ воспрїи́мъ при́тчꙋ свою̀, речѐ: го́ре, го́ре, кто̀ жи́въ бꙋ́детъ, є҆гда̀ положи́тъ бг҃ъ сїѧ̑;
And one shall come forth from the hands of the Citians, and shall afflict Assur, and shall afflict the Hebrews, and they shall perish together.
καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ χειρῶν Κιτιαίων καὶ κακώσουσιν ᾿Ασσοὺρ καὶ κακώσουσιν ῾Εβραίους, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἀπολοῦνται.
и҆ и҆зы́дꙋтъ и҆з̾ рꙋ́къ китїе́йскихъ, и҆ ѡ҆ѕло́бѧтъ а҆ссꙋ́ра, и҆ ѡ҆ѕло́бѧтъ є҆вре́ѡвъ, и҆ са́ми вкꙋ́пѣ поги́бнꙋтъ.
And Balaam rose up and departed and returned to his place, and Balac went to his own home.
καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλαὰμ ἀπῆλθεν ἀποστραφεὶς εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ Βαλὰκ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν.
И҆ воста́въ валаа́мъ ѿи́де, возврати́всѧ на мѣ́сто своѐ: и҆ вала́къ ѿи́де къ себѣ̀.
And when Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he did not go according to his custom to meet the omens, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
ΚΑΙ ἰδὼν Βαλαὰμ ὅτι καλόν ἐστιν ἐναντίον Κυρίου εὐλογεῖν τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ, οὐκ ἐπορεύθη κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς εἰς συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς καὶ ἀπέστρεψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον.
И҆ ви́дѣвъ валаа́мъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ добро̀ є҆́сть пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ благословлѧ́ти і҆и҃лѧ, не и҆́де по ѡ҆бы́чаю своемꙋ̀ въ срѣ́тенїе волхвова́нїємъ, и҆ возвратѝ лицѐ своѐ въ пꙋсты́ню.