Micah 6:5
"O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted,.... What a scheme he had laid; what contrivances he had formed; what consultations he had with a soothsayer or diviner he sent for to curse Israel; how he sought to get the God of Israel on his side, and to set him against them, that he might be rid of them, and they be ruined and destroyed. The Moabites were the descendants of Moab, a son of Lot, by one of his daughters; when they first set up their kingdom is not certain; nor who their kings in succession were before Balak: it appears there was a former king, whom the king of the Amorites fought with, and took away his land from him, Num 21:26 ; who probably was Zippor, the father of Balak, and whom he succeeded; the kingdom being recovered by him, or by this his son; however, he was on the throne when Israel was upon the borders of his kingdom, which threw him into a panic; upon which he sent messengers to a neighbouring magician next mentioned, to advise with him what to do in this his extremity; and the Jews have a tradition, that, because of the multitude of sacrifices he offered, he was worthy to have Ruth, the descendant from him; who, they say, was the daughter of Eglon, the grandson of Balak, king of Moab (s): and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; this man is called a soothsayer, Jos 13:22 ; The Jews say he was first a prophet;

and so the Apostle Peter calls him, Pe2 2:16 ; and afterwards became a diviner (t): they differ very much about him, who he was, and from whom he descended. Beor his father is sometimes said to be the son of Laban (u); and, at other times, Balaam himself is said to be Laban the Syrian (w), whose soul they suppose transmigrated into Balaam, as it afterwards did into Nabal, according to them. Some (x) take him to be the same with Elihu, who interposed in the dispute between Job and his friends; and others say that he was one of the eunuchs, counsellors, and magicians of Pharaoh, both when Moses was a child, and when he wrought his miracles in Egypt; and that Jannes and Jambres, of whom the Apostle Paul makes mention, Ti2 3:8 ; were his two sons (y): he was an inhabitant of Pethor, which was situated on the river Euphrates, thought by Junius to be the Pacoria of Ptolemy: he seems to have been a Mesopotamian, though some say a Midianite; but, whether one or the other, he did not live at any great distance from the king of Moab: he was slain by the sword the children of Israel, in the times of Joshua, Jos 13:22 ; and, as the Jews say (z) he was, when he was but thirty three or thirty four years of age; they observing upon it, that bloody and deceitful men do not live out, half their days; but this does not seem so well to agree with other things they say of him; however, this soothsayer and sorcerer Balak sent for to curse Israel; whose heart and tongue, though a wicked man, and would fain have done according to Balak's wish and desire, were so overruled by the power of God, that instead of cursing Israel he was obliged to bless them, and to prophesy of their future happiness and prosperity, and of the Messiah, that should spring from them; see history of all this in Num 22:1 ; from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord; here something must be supplied to make sense of the words; either, "remember what good things I did for you (a), from Shittim to Gilgal"; the former was the place where the children of Israel committed whoredom and idolatry, and was on the other side Jordan; and the latter was the place they came to when they had passed over Jordan, where the covenant of circumcision was renewed, and the first passover kept; now they are called upon to remember the goodness of God unto them from one place to another, and what were done between them; how that at Shittim, though they provoked the Lord to anger, yet he did not cut them all off, but spared a number of them, to enter and possess the land of Canaan; and though Moses died by the way, yet be raised up Joshua to go before them, and in a miraculous manner led them through the river Jordan, and brought them to Gilgal--favours ever to he had in remembrance. So the Targum, "were not great things done for you in the plain of Shittim unto the house of Gilgal, that the righteousness of the Lord might be known?'' both his justice in punishing offenders at Shittim, and his bounty and kindness, as well as his truth and faithfulness, in sparing others; bestowing his favours on them, and bringing them into the promised land: or it may be supplied thus, as by some, "remember what Balak consulted (b) from Shittim to Gilgal"; that is, with Balaam, and what answer and advice he gave him; which was to send beautiful women among the Israelites, and so tempt them to adultery, and by that means to idolatry; and which scheme and consultation took place at Shittim, by means of which several thousands were slain; and the device was to have continued the temptation even to Gilgal, which, had it not been prevented, in all likelihood would have issued in the destruction of that people; and therefore they had reason to know, own, and acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of God unto them: or rather, taking the phrase "from Shittim to Gilgal" to be a proverbial one (c), of going from place to place, it may have respect to Balak's having Balaam from place to place, to take a view of the people, and curse them; or how he might set the God of Israel against them, and gain him over to him; and then the sense is this, "remember how Balak consulted Balaam from place to place, and what answers he returned him; all which was done, that "he (Balak) might know the righteousness of the Lord";'' and so the Syriac version renders it, and it will bear to be so rendered: the thing which Balak chiefly consulted was, how he should get the God of Israel on his side; as it was usual with Heathen princes, when at war, to attempt to get the gods of their enemies from them, and on their side; and inquires of Balaam how this was to be effected; what righteousness it was the Lord required; what duties of religion to be performed; what rites or sacrifices were acceptable to him; and the sum of his questions on this head, and Balaam's answer to them, are contained in the following verses. (s) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 105. 2. (t) Ib. fol. 106. 1. (u) Shalshelet Hakabala, fol. 7. 1. (w) Targum Jon. in Numb. xxii. 5. Targum in 1 Chron. i. 44. Vid. Burkium ib. (x) Hieron. Quaeat. Hebr. in Genesim, fol. 69. D. (y) Dibre Hayamim Shel Moseh, fol. 4. 2. & 6. 2. Targum Jon. in Exod. ix. 21. Shemot Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 90. 1. T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 106. (z) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 106. 2. Shalshelet Hakabala, fol. 7. 2. (a) "Recordare qualia bona exhibuerim tibi", Munster; "memento eorum quae gesta sunt", Vatablus; "quae contigerint tibi", Calvin; "memento eorum quae fecerim", Grotius; "recordare quid evenerit tibi", Piscator. (b) "Memento quid cogifaverit contra te Balac, et quid responderit ei Balaam a Settim", &c. Ribera; so Menochius, Tirinus. (c) See Bishop Chandler's Defence of Christianity, p. 290.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (22 words)

H5971 עַם
Definition:

Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow

Possible Meanings:
  • with (semantic_range)
H2142 זָכַר
Definition:

23+; 3 feminine singularזָָֽכְרָהLamentations 1:7,9; 2masculine singularוְזָכַרְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 5:15+; suffixזְכַרְתַּנִיGenesis 40:14compare1 Samuel 1:11,זְכַרְתָּםPsalm 88:6; 2feminine singularזָכַר 23+; 3 feminine singularזָָֽכְרָהLamentations 1:7,9; 2masculine singularוְזָכַרְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 5:15+; suffixזְכַרְתַּנִיGenesis 40:14compare1 Samuel 1:11,זְכַרְתָּםPsalm 88:6; 2feminine singularזָכַר

Possible Meanings:
  • male (semantic_range)
  • male (semantic_range)
  • male (semantic_range)
H4994 נָא
Definition:

"I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction -- I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.NAS Exhaus "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction -- I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.NAS Exhaus

Possible Meanings:
  • raw (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H3289 יָעַץ
Definition:

511t.;יָעָ֑ץIsaiah 14:272t.; suffixיְעָצָ֑נִיPsalm 16:7;יְעָצָהּIsaiah 23:9+יְעָצָהוּBaer 2 Chronicles 10:8; 3 pluralיָָֽעֲצוּPsalm 62:5; suffixיְעָצֻהוּ1 Kings 12:82t. (including 2 Chronicles 10:8, B 511t.;יָעָ֑ץIsaiah 14:272t.; suffixיְעָצָ֑נִיPsalm 16:7;יְעָצָהּIsaiah 23:9+יְעָצָהוּBaer 2 Chronicles 10:8; 3 pluralיָָֽעֲצוּPsalm 62:5; suffixיְעָצֻהוּ1 Kings 12:82t. (including 2 Chronicles 10:8, B

Possible Meanings:
  • advise (semantic_range)
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advise (semantic_range)
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • consult together (semantic_range)
H1111 בָּלָק
Definition:

2,4,7 37t.Numbers 22-24(all J E) +Joshua 24:9(E)Judges 11:25;Micah 6:5.בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר,בֵּלְאשַׁצַּרseeבֵּלbelowבעל.Topical LexiconIdentityBalak (בָּלָק, Strong’s H1111) is repeatedly identified as “Bal 2,4,7 37t.Numbers 22-24(all J E) +Joshua 24:9(E)Judges 11:25;Micah 6:5.בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר,בֵּלְאשַׁצַּרseeבֵּלbelowבעל.Topical LexiconIdentityBalak (בָּלָק, Strong’s H1111) is repeatedly identified as “Bal

Possible Meanings:
  • devastator (semantic_range)
H4428 מֶלֶךְ
Definition:

4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN 4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H4124 מוֹאָב
Definition:

37DlPar. 294 f., 296; — on etymology compare LagBN 90 Anm., NeSK 1892, 573, GrayProp.N.25); —׳מוGenesis 19:37178t.;מֹאָב2 Samuel 8:12;ᵐ5Μωαβ; —1Moab as son of Lot by his elder daughter according toGen 37DlPar. 294 f., 296; — on etymology compare LagBN 90 Anm., NeSK 1892, 573, GrayProp.N.25); —׳מוGenesis 19:37178t.;מֹאָב2 Samuel 8:12;ᵐ5Μωαβ; —1Moab as son of Lot by his elder daughter according toGen

H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H6030 עָנָה
Definition:

A primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. Pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. To begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce -- give account, A primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. Pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. To begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce -- give account,

Possible Meanings:
  • answer (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H1109 בִּלְעָם
Definition:

Probably frombalandam; not (of the) people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine -- Balaam, Bileam.see HEBREWbalsee HEBREWamBrown-Driver-BriggsI.בִּלְעָםproper name Probably frombalandam; not (of the) people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine -- Balaam, Bileam.see HEBREWbalsee HEBREWamBrown-Driver-BriggsI.בִּלְעָםproper name

H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H1160 בְּעוֹר
Definition:

5;Numbers 31:8;Deuteronomy 23:5;Joshua 13:22;Joshua 24:9;Micah 6:5;בְּעֹרNumbers 24:3,15 (׳בנו ב).2father ofבֶּלַע, a king of EdomGenesis 36:32=1 Chronicles 1:43.Topical LexiconScriptural Portraits of 5;Numbers 31:8;Deuteronomy 23:5;Joshua 13:22;Joshua 24:9;Micah 6:5;בְּעֹרNumbers 24:3,15 (׳בנו ב).2father ofבֶּלַע, a king of EdomGenesis 36:32=1 Chronicles 1:43.Topical LexiconScriptural Portraits of

Possible Meanings:
  • a burning (semantic_range)
  • torch (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H7851 שִׁטִּים
Definition:

1East of Jordan,Joshua 2:1;Joshua 3:1(E),Micah 6:5;Numbers 25:1(P); =׳אָבֵל הַשּׁNumbers 33:49; on exact site see BuhlG 116GrayNumbers 25:1.2׳נַחַל הַשּׁJoel 4:18 (perhapsWady es-San‰, west of Jerusal 1East of Jordan,Joshua 2:1;Joshua 3:1(E),Micah 6:5;Numbers 25:1(P); =׳אָבֵל הַשּׁNumbers 33:49; on exact site see BuhlG 116GrayNumbers 25:1.2׳נַחַל הַשּׁJoel 4:18 (perhapsWady es-San‰, west of Jerusal

H5704 עַד
Definition:

20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti 20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti

Possible Meanings:
  • until (semantic_range)
H1537 גִּלְגָּל
Definition:

9, where word-play onroll away, off)— with article exceptJoshua 5:9;Joshua 12:23; —1place east of Jericho, where Israel lay encampedJoshua 4:19,20;Joshua 5:9,10;Joshua 9:6;Joshua 10:7,9;Joshua 14:6com 9, where word-play onroll away, off)— with article exceptJoshua 5:9;Joshua 12:23; —1place east of Jericho, where Israel lay encampedJoshua 4:19,20;Joshua 5:9,10;Joshua 9:6;Joshua 10:7,9;Joshua 14:6com

Possible Meanings:
  • circle (semantic_range)
H4616 מַעַן
Definition:

compareמַ֫עַל; Köii. 116); — with suffixלְמַעֲנִי,לְמַעַנְךָ, andלְמַעַנְכֶם; —1. preposition: —a.Genesis 18:24wilt thou ... not spare the placeלמען חמשׁים הציקיםfor the sake ofthe 50 righteous?Deuter compareמַ֫עַל; Köii. 116); — with suffixלְמַעֲנִי,לְמַעַנְךָ, andלְמַעַנְכֶם; —1. preposition: —a.Genesis 18:24wilt thou ... not spare the placeלמען חמשׁים הציקיםfor the sake ofthe 50 righteous?Deuter

Possible Meanings:
  • purpose (semantic_range)
  • intent (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to the intent (semantic_range)
H3045 יָדַע
Definition:

1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene 1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene

Possible Meanings:
  • know (semantic_range)
  • know (semantic_range)
  • cause to know (semantic_range)
  • inform (semantic_range)
H6666 צְדָקָה
Definition:

6+81 t.; constructצִדְקַתDeuteronomy 33:21+5 t.; suffixצִדְקָתִיGenesis 30:33+, etc.; pluralצְדָקוֺתIsaiah 33:15+3t.; constructצִדְקוֺתJudges 5:11+; suffixצִדְקֹתֶיךָDaniel 9:16, etc.; —1righteousness 6+81 t.; constructצִדְקַתDeuteronomy 33:21+5 t.; suffixצִדְקָתִיGenesis 30:33+, etc.; pluralצְדָקוֺתIsaiah 33:15+3t.; constructצִדְקוֺתJudges 5:11+; suffixצִדְקֹתֶיךָDaniel 9:16, etc.; —1righteousness

Possible Meanings:
  • right doing (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)

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