John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And Balaam lifted up his eyes , etc.] Being on Mount Peor: and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes ; in that exact order in which they were directed to encamp under four standards, and so many tribes under each standard, ( Numbers 2:1-34) and the Spirit of God came upon him ; not in his grace but in his gifts; not as a spirit of sanctification, but as a spirit of prophecy, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan paraphrase it; and so sometimes the Spirit of God in this sense has come upon wicked men, as on Caiaphas and others, ( John 11:51 Matthew 7:22,23).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the Spirit tha came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have not their heart open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That knowledge which puff men up with pride, will but serve to light them to hell, whither man go with their eyes open. The blessing is nearly the same as those give before. He admires in Israel, their beauty. The righteous, doubtless is more excellent than his neighbour. Their fruitfulness and increase Their honour and advancement. Their power and victory. He looks bac upon what had been done for them. Their power and victory. He look back upon what had been done for them. Their courage and security. The righteous are bold as a lion, not when assaulting others, but when a rest, because God maketh them to dwell in safety. Their influence upo their neighbours. God takes what is done to them, whether good or evil as done to himself. (Nu 24:10-14)
Original Hebrew וישׂא5375 בלעם1109 את853 עיניו5869 וירא7200 את853 ישׂראל3478 שׁכן7931 לשׁבטיו7626 ותהי1961 עליו5921 רוח7307 אלהים׃430
