CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 22:9 Then God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/22-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/04_Num_22_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 22:9 - Balak Summons Balaam" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then God came to Balaam and asked, Who are these men with you?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/22-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/22-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/22.htm">Chapter 22</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/22-8.htm" title="Numbers 22:8">◄</a> Numbers 22:9 <a href="/numbers/22-10.htm" title="Numbers 22:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/22.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />God came to Balaam and asked, &#8220Who are these men with you?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />That night God came to Balaam and asked him, “Who are these men visiting you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men <i>are</i> these with thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who <i>are</i> these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said, &#8220Who are these men with you?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and asked, &#8220Who are these men with you?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />During the night, God asked Balaam, "Who are these people at your house?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these people that are staying with you?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />God visited Balaam and asked him, "Who are these men with you?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and asked, ?Who are these men with you??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam, and said, "Who are these men with you?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And God comes to Balaam and says, “Who [are] these men with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And God cometh in unto Balaam, and saith, 'Who are these men with thee?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And God will come to Balaam, and will say, What men these with thee?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What mean these men that are with thee? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“What do these men want with you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then God came to Balaam and said: Who are these men with you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam and said to him, Who are these men that are with you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And God came upon Balaam and said to him: “Who are these men with you?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And God came unto Balaam, and said: 'What men are these with thee?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And God came to Balaam, and said to him, Who are these men with thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/22-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6911" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/22.htm">Balak Summons Balaam</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">Then God</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">are these</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·māḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with you?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a></span><br />One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a></span><br />But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-16</a></span><br />In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a></span><br />After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a></span><br />And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a></span><br />But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12</a></span><br />And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-3.htm">Acts 10:3-4</a></span><br />One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” / Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9</a></span><br />During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9</a></span><br />One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-11.htm">Acts 23:11</a></span><br />The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></span><br />One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a></span><br />During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-5.htm">Daniel 4:5</a></span><br />I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-1.htm">Daniel 7:1</a></span><br />In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-20.htm">Numbers 23:20</a></b></br> Behold, I have received <i>commandment</i> to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a></b></br> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou <i>art but</i> a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she <i>is</i> a man's wife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a></b></br> And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.</p><p class="hdg">what men</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9-11</a></b></br> And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where <i>art</i> thou? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Cain, Where <i>is</i> Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: <i>Am</i> I my brother's keeper?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Genesis 16:8</a></b></br> And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/22-8.htm">Balaam</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/22-12.htm">Balaam</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Balak's first message for Balaam is refused</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-15.htm">His second message obtains him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Balak entertains him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then God came to Balaam</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine encounter, emphasizing God's active involvement in the events of the narrative. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is approached by God, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. This encounter underscores the theme that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes, regardless of their background. Theologically, it reflects the idea that God communicates His will directly, even to those outside the covenant community of Israel. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the unfolding events where Balaam's actions will be influenced by divine intervention.<p><b>and asked, “Who are these men with you?”</b><br>God's question to Balaam serves multiple purposes. It is not due to a lack of knowledge, as God is omniscient, but rather to prompt Balaam to reflect on his associations and intentions. This question can be seen as a test of Balaam's discernment and loyalty. In the broader biblical context, similar divine inquiries are used to provoke self-examination and confession, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9</a> when God asks Adam, "Where are you?" The presence of these men, sent by Balak, king of Moab, represents a temptation for Balaam to act against God's will for personal gain. This interaction foreshadows the tension between divine command and human ambition that will characterize Balaam's story.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet or diviner known for his ability to bless or curse. He is approached by Balak to curse the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God of Israel, who intervenes in Balaam's plans and speaks to him directly.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A region east of the Jordan River, whose king, Balak, is threatened by the presence of the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_with_balaam.htm">The Men with Balaam</a></b><br>Representatives sent by Balak to persuade Balaam to curse the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God is in control and intervenes in human affairs, even those involving non-Israelites like Balaam.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_and_obedience.htm">Discernment and Obedience</a></b><br>Believers should seek God's guidance and be discerning about the influences and people they allow into their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words have the power to bless or curse, and we should use them wisely, aligning with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection.htm">God's Protection</a></b><br>God protects His people and can turn intended curses into blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_and_motives.htm">Integrity and Motives</a></b><br>Examine your motives and ensure they align with God's purposes, avoiding the temptation of material gain over righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_a_pagan_prophet's_blessing_credible.htm">Numbers 23:8–10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king’s demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_change_with_balaam_consistent.htm">How does God's change from forbidding Balaam to go (Numbers 22:12) to eventually permitting him (Numbers 22:20) align with the concept of divine consistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_god_angry_with_balaam_later.htm">If God permitted Balaam to go (Numbers 22:20), why did He become angry with him later (Numbers 22:22)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">What men are these with thee?</span>--This inquiry, like that addressed to Elijah, "What doest thou here?" (<a href="/1_kings/19-9.htm" title="And he came thither to a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, What do you here, Elijah?">1Kings 19:9</a>), or that to Hezekiah, "What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee?" and "What have they seen in thine house?" (<a href="/context/isaiah/39-3.htm" title="Then came Isaiah the prophet to king Hezekiah, and said to him, What said these men? and from where came they to you? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country to me, even from Babylon.">Isaiah 39:3-4</a>) was calculated to arouse the slumbering conscience of Balaam, and to open his eyes to a perception of his sin and of his danger.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/22-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and asked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֖לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with you?”</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·māḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/22-9.htm">OT Law: Numbers 22:9 God came to Balaam and said What (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/22-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 22:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 22:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/22-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 22:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 22:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>