Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
23:1-30 As a diviner, Balaam performed rituals to interpret omens and ascertain Israel’s future (cp. 23:23; 24:1). Balak had summoned him to pronounce imprecations, but God repeatedly prohibited him from doing so. • It is possible that these sacrifices were connected with the practice of extispicy—the examination of animal livers or other organs for an omen concerning the future. According to ancient Near Eastern texts, this form of fortune-telling was a widely practiced and highly developed art. Such practices were banned from Israel (see Deut 18:9-14; cp. Ezek 21:21). 23:1 The number seven was a sacred symbol (also 23:4, 14, 29; cp. Job 42:8; see “Symbolic Numbers” Theme Note).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
23:1-30 As a diviner, Balaam performed rituals to interpret omens and ascertain Israel’s future (cp. 23:23; 24:1). Balak had summoned him to pronounce imprecations, but God repeatedly prohibited him from doing so. • It is possible that these sacrifices were connected with the practice of extispicy—the examination of animal livers or other organs for an omen concerning the future. According to ancient Near Eastern texts, this form of fortune-telling was a widely practiced and highly developed art. Such practices were banned from Israel (see Deut 18:9-14; cp. Ezek 21:21). 23:1 The number seven was a sacred symbol (also 23:4, 14, 29; cp. Job 42:8; see “Symbolic Numbers” Theme Note).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And Balaam said to Balak, Make me here seven altars and get ready seven oxen and seven male sheep.