John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. He hath said, which heard the words of God , etc.] God speaking to him, which he did several times, and with which he was greatly elated, (see Numbers 22:9,20 23:4,5,16): which saw the vision of the Almighty ; not that he had a sight of any similitude of God, though the angel that appeared to him, which was Christ the uncreated angel, might appear in an human form, for some visible form was seen both by the ass and him; but rather this respects the visions of God to him in the night; it may be in a dream, as has been already observed, and which the following words seem to confirm: falling into a trance, but having his eyes open : or falling into a deep sleep, and yet the eyes of his body open, which sometimes is the case with persons asleep; or the eyes of his mind open, to receive the instructions given him in a dream or vision of the night; unless this is to be understood of his falling on his face, when he had his vision, as sometimes the prophets did, (see Ezekiel 1:28 Deuteronomy 8:17 Revelation 1:17), so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it; and the latter says, he prophesied of himself, that he should fall by the sword; which is better than to interpret it of his falling when his ass lay down with him, as some do: so men may have a great deal of light and knowledge in their heads, and yet not have true grace in their hearts; great gifts, which puff up with pride and vanity, but not sanctifying grace, which is of an humbling nature, ( 1 Corinthians 8:1,2 13:1,2,3), what he said under a spirit of prophecy follows.
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 נאם5002 שׁמע8085 אמרי561 אל410 אשׁר834 מחזה4236 שׁדי7706 יחזה2372 נפל5307 וגלוי1540 עינים׃5869
