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Numbers 22:19 - Awaiting divine guidance overnight?

Numbers 22:19 - במדבר 22:19

Hebrew Text

וְעַתָּה שְׁבוּ נָא בָזֶה גַּם־אַתֶּם הַלָּיְלָה וְאֵדְעָה מַה־יֹּסֵף יְהוָה דַּבֵּר עִמִּי׃

English Translation

Now therefore, I pray you, tarry you also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say further to me.

Transliteration

Ve'ata shevu na baze gam-atem halayla ve'eda mah-yosef Adonai dabber imi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁב֨וּ נָ֥א בָזֶ֛ה גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְאֵ֣דְעָ֔ה מַה־יֹּסֵ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה דַּבֵּ֥ר עִמִּֽי׃
וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁב֨וּ נָ֥א בָזֶ֛ה גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְאֵ֣דְעָ֔ה מַה־יֹּסֵ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה דַּבֵּ֥ר עִמִּֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 22:19) is part of the narrative involving Balaam and Balak, king of Moab. Balak seeks to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites, but Balaam, though initially resistant, asks Balak's messengers to stay the night so he can seek further divine guidance. The phrase "וְעַתָּה שְׁבוּ נָא בָזֶה גַּם־אַתֶּם הַלָּיְלָה" ("Now therefore, I pray you, tarry you also here this night") reflects Balaam's attempt to discern Hashem's will.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Balaam's request for the messengers to stay overnight indicates his hope that Hashem might change His mind and permit him to go with them. Rashi emphasizes that Balaam was driven by his desire for honor and wealth, as he was unwilling to fully accept Hashem's initial refusal (Rashi on Numbers 22:19). This highlights Balaam's flawed character, as he sought to manipulate divine communication for personal gain.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) discusses the nature of prophecy in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed), noting that true prophets do not seek to test or delay divine communication. Balaam's behavior contrasts with the humility and immediacy of genuine prophets like Moshe, who responded to Hashem's word without hesitation. Rambam implies that Balaam's delay reflects his spiritual insincerity (Moreh Nevuchim 2:45).

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) portrays Balaam as a figure who, despite his prophetic abilities, was morally corrupt. His request to "know what the Lord will say further" is seen as an attempt to find loopholes in Hashem's command, rather than submitting to divine will.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma Balak 6) suggests that Balaam's hesitation stemmed from his arrogance, as he believed he could influence Hashem's decree through repeated inquiries.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses Balaam's actions as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and pride. The sages derive from this episode that one should not seek to "test" Hashem's will or delay compliance with divine instructions. This aligns with the broader Torah principle of "תמים תהיה עם ה' אלוקיך" ("You shall be wholehearted with Hashem your G-d" - Deuteronomy 18:13).

Spiritual Lessons

This verse teaches the importance of sincere and immediate acceptance of Hashem's will. Balaam's reluctance contrasts sharply with the ideal of "נעשה ונשמע" ("we will do and we will hear" - Exodus 24:7), demonstrating how personal desires can obstruct spiritual clarity. Orthodox Jewish tradition emphasizes that true devotion requires aligning one's will with Hashem's without hesitation or ulterior motives.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Balaam mean when he says 'I may know what the Lord will say further to me' in Numbers 22:19?
A: Balaam is acknowledging that he cannot act without Hashem's permission. Rashi explains that Balaam was delaying Balak's messengers to seek further divine guidance, showing that even a non-Jewish prophet understood the importance of waiting for Hashem's word before proceeding.
Q: Why did Balaam ask the messengers to stay overnight in Numbers 22:19?
A: According to the Talmud (Berachot 7a), prophets often received divine communication at night when the mind was clear from distractions. Balaam followed this practice, hoping Hashem might change His initial refusal (from the previous verse) if he waited for further instruction.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Balaam's words 'what the Lord will say further to me'?
A: The Rambam teaches that this verse demonstrates the proper attitude toward divine will: even when we think we know Hashem's answer, we must remain open to deeper understanding. Balaam shows (though imperfectly) the need for patience in seeking Hashem's complete guidance.
Q: How does Numbers 22:19 relate to prayer today?
A: The Midrash Tanchuma connects this to our prayer practice - just as Balaam returned to seek Hashem's will again, we should approach prayer with persistence and the understanding that divine answers may unfold over time through continued connection with Hashem.
Q: Why does the Torah include this detail about Balaam waiting for Hashem's word?
A: The Sforno explains that this shows the seriousness of prophecy - even when dealing with hostile nations like Moab, the Torah demonstrates that true prophecy requires absolute submission to Hashem's timetable and will, not human agendas.