Numbers 24:1

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
KJV
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
WEB
When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
ASV
And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
DARBY
And Balaam saw that it was good in the sight of Jehovah to bless Israel, and he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
BLB
And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of YHWH to bless Israel, and he did not go as time by time to seek to use sorcery, and he set his face toward the wilderness.
ÅB
Da Bileam så at det var Herrens vilje at han skulle velsigne Israel, gikk han ikke bort for å søke tegn, som han hadde gjort de to første ganger, men vendte seg mot ørkenen.
OTB
Da Bileam innså at det gledet Herren å velsigne Israel, søkte han ikke varsler som han hadde gjort før, men vendte blikket mot ørkenen.
B1930
Da Bileam så at det var Herrens vilje at han skulde velsigne Israel, gikk han ikke bort for å søke tegn, som han hadde gjort de to første ganger, men vendte sig mot ørkenen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 23:23

    Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

    Read in context
  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 23:15

    And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the Lord yonder.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 23:28

    And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 31:16

    Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 23:20

    Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 23:3

    And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 22:13

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

    Read in context