Numbers 24

“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God…” Naming Balaam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:” Naming Balaam and Beor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having…” Naming Almighty keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” Naming Israel and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath…” The line’s distinctive content terms include trees, aloes, cedar. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and…” 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 Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest 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.

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD , to do…” 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 now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:” Naming Balaam and Beor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the…” Naming Almighty keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.” 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 he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy…” Naming Kenites and Strong keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall…” 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, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.” Naming Balaam and Balak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.