Numbers 22

“And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.” Naming Israel and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.” Naming Amorites and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of…” Naming Moab and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children…” Naming Balaam and Beor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came…” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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 command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth…” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.” Naming Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee…” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I…” Naming Balak and Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.” The line’s distinctive content terms include here, know, LORD. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.” Naming Balaam and Moab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.” The line’s distinctive content terms include side, wall, angel. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD , she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, further, hand. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD , she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I…” Naming Balaam and Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD , I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of…” Naming Arnon and Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.