John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And he took up his parable , etc.] His parable of prophecy, as the Targums, his prophetic speech, which, with a loud voice, he expressed in the hearing of Balak and his nobles: and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said ; the preface to his prophecy is pompous, and seems to be full of pride and vanity, and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem represent him; “the man who is more excellent than his father hath said, to whom hidden secrets, even what was hidden from the prophets is revealed to him;” and the Jews have a saying that he that has an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a large soul, or is covetous, is one of the disciples of Balaam the wicked: and the man whose eyes are open hath said ; or, as some render it, whose eyes were shut, but now open; either the eyes of his body, which were shut when the angel met him, and the ass saw him and not he, but afterwards were open, and he saw him also; or the eyes of his understanding blinded with ambition and covetousness, but were open to see his mistake, at least so far as to be sensible that he could never prevail upon God to allow him to curse Israel; or rather open, by the spirit of prophecy coming on him, whereby he saw and foretold things to come.
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 משׁלו4912 ויאמר559 נאם5002 בלעם1109 בנו1121 בער1160 ונאם5002 הגבר1397 שׁתם8365 העין׃5869
