Numbers 22 8

Numbers 22:8 kjv

And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

Numbers 22:8 nkjv

And he said to them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Numbers 22:8 niv

"Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will report back to you with the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

Numbers 22:8 esv

And he said to them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Numbers 22:8 nlt

"Stay here overnight," Balaam said. "In the morning I will tell you whatever the LORD directs me to say." So the officials from Moab stayed there with Balaam.

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 8 Meaning

Numbers 22:8 records Balaam's instruction to the Moabite and Midianite princes. He directs them to lodge with him for the night, while he awaits a word from the LORD regarding King Balak's request to curse Israel. This verse signifies Balaam's initial act of seeking divine counsel before committing to any action, setting the stage for direct divine intervention in the narrative.

Numbers 22 8 Context

Numbers chapter 22 begins with the Israelites encamped in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. King Balak of Moab, witnessing their vast numbers and past victories against the Amorites, becomes terrified. Believing that a direct military confrontation would be futile, Balak resorts to seeking supernatural assistance. He sends messengers, along with elders of Midian, to Balaam, a renowned diviner or prophet in Mesopotamia (Pethor by the Euphrates), offering a hefty payment to curse the Israelites. This verse, Numbers 22:8, marks Balaam's initial response to this lucrative and geopolitically significant request. He doesn't immediately refuse or accept, but proposes to consult his God, the LORD, during the night. This demonstrates that even in a context of pagan practices, Balaam claimed direct communication with YHWH, the God of Israel.

Numbers 22 8 Word analysis

• So he said to them: This refers to Balaam addressing the Moabit and Midianite princes, who brought Balak's request and treasures. It indicates Balaam's authority as a figure to whom powerful messengers would come for spiritual services.
• "Lodge here tonight": The Hebrew word for "lodge" is לינוּ (linu), derived from לון (lun), meaning 'to pass the night' or 'to stay.' This was a common practice in the ancient Near East when consulting oracles or seeking divine guidance. It provided time for a revelation, often through dreams or a trance-like state, a recognized method for obtaining prophetic or divine messages.
• "and I will bring back word to you": Balaam presents himself as an intermediary, a messenger who will relay a definite reply, not an opinion, but a 'word' from a higher power. This demonstrates his role as one who channels supernatural directives.
• "as the LORD may speak to me": This is the pivotal phrase.
  • "the LORD": In Hebrew, this is יהוה (YHWH), the covenant name of the God of Israel. Balaam, though a diviner from a pagan background, uses YHWH's personal, revealed name. This is highly significant: it suggests Balaam either had genuine prior dealings with YHWH, recognized His supreme authority among other gods, or that YHWH, in His sovereignty, chose to reveal Himself even to this seemingly compromised individual for His divine purpose. It is not a generic 'god' (אֵל, El) he is consulting, but the specific God of Israel.
  • "may speak to me": The verb used is a form of דָּבַר (davar), meaning 'to speak.' This implies a direct, verbal, or clear communication from YHWH, indicating a level of prophetic encounter rather than mere interpretation of omens or divinations, elevating the claim of Balaam. It underscores his reliance on divine will, not personal desire, as the declared basis for his response. This phrase establishes the source of his anticipated decision: divine revelation.
• And the princes of Moab and Midian stayed with Balaam: This shows their agreement to his terms and their faith in his ability to receive a message from the divine. It indicates their immediate compliance and the beginning of the waiting period for God's instruction, setting the narrative tension.

Numbers 22 8 Bonus section

• The practice of "incubating" a divine message overnight was a common method of divination in the ancient Near East, where diviners would sleep in sacred spaces or at altars hoping for dreams or visions. Balaam employs a familiar cultural practice, but it is unique because the specific divine entity he consults is YHWH.
• This initial seeking of the LORD's word distinguishes Balaam from common pagan diviners who might rely purely on human insight or lesser spirits. However, it does not absolve him of his covetous character which later manifests as he attempts to circumvent YHWH's will (Num 22:20-22) and counsels Balak on how to corrupt Israel (Rev 2:14).
• YHWH's willingness to speak to Balaam demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty. He is not confined to speaking only to those within Israel or to morally pure individuals. Rather, He can use any channel to declare His will and accomplish His purposes, even overriding the intent of someone driven by profit.
• Balaam's request to "lodge here tonight" suggests a measured, calculated approach, perhaps to weigh his options and secure the best possible divine outcome that aligns with his self-interest. The ensuing narrative reveals a partial obedience intertwined with a persistent, ultimately fatal, desire for personal gain.

Numbers 22 8 Commentary

Numbers 22:8 encapsulates Balaam's professional custom of seeking divine counsel, but with the striking aspect of engaging with YHWH, the God of Israel. He doesn't rush into fulfilling Balak's request despite the immense incentives, acknowledging that his power, if any, derived from divine authorization. This verse immediately sets the stage for a dramatic contest of wills: Balak's intent against Israel, Balaam's mercenary heart, and above all, YHWH's unshakeable sovereignty over all. While Balaam’s motive for gain would later become evident (2 Pet 2:15, Jude 1:11), this initial response reflects a formal, perhaps even sincere, effort to ascertain divine will before acting, aligning with ancient customs of oracular consultation overnight.