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First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading, Fourth Reading, Fifth Reading, Sixth Reading, Seventh Reading, Last Reading |
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First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading, Fourth Reading, Fifth Reading, Sixth Reading, Seventh Reading, Last Reading |
Balak |  |
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| | 22:41 |
In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him to the High Altars of Baal, where he could see [as far as] the outer edges of the [Israelite] people.
Vayehi vaboker vayikach Balak et-Bil'am vaya'alehu bamot ba'al vayar misham ktseh ha'am. |
| 23:1 |
'Build seven altars for me here,' said Balaam to Balak, 'and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.'
Vayomer Bil'am el-Balak bneh-li vazeh shiv'ah mizbechot vehachen li bazeh shiv'ah farim veshiv'ah eylim. |
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Commentary:
High Altars of Baal
Bamoth Baal in Hebrew. See Numbers 23:9. Some identify this with Baaley Bamoth Arnon in Numbers 21:28 (Ibn Ezra). Others say that this was an idolatrous temple (Lekach Tov; Midrash HaGadol), possibly that of Baal Peor in 25:3 (Targum Yonathan; BeMidbar Rabbah 20:18). Others say that it was the plain of altars (Chizzkuni). Josephus states that it was a mountain some 60 furlongs or 5.5 miles from the Israelite camp (Antiquities 4:6:4). This would appear to indicate that Bamoth Baal was the same as Bamoth in Numbers 21:19. Geographically, this would appear to indicate that Balaam was on the mountain spur directly to the south of the one containing Mount Nebo, which would be a little over 5 miles from the Israelite camp. This may be the site of the present Um Juresa.
| as far as
(Baaley Tosafoth; Paaneach Raza; cf. Ramban). Now he saw the entire camp, because later he saw only part of it (Numbers 23:13; Lekach Tov). Others, however, maintain that he only saw 'the edge of the camp' (Tur; cf. Ramban). Some say that he saw the camp's outcasts (Midrash HaGadol; cf. Targum Yonathan).
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