“Balak took Bilam” (Numbers 22:41), “they came to Kiryat Ḥutzot” (Numbers 22:39)44Literally, a city of marketplaces. – as he established markets of commerce and established for him an animal market, in order to show him a massive population, saying: ‘Look at who they are coming to kill; people and babies who have not wronged them.’ Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep, and he sent to Bilam and to the princes that were with him. (Numbers 22:40) “Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep” (Numbers 22:40) – the righteous say little and perform much, like Abraham, as it is stated: “I will take a piece of bread” (Genesis 18:5), and then: “Hurry, three se’a of high quality flour [knead, and make cakes].
And Abraham hurried to the cattle…” (Genesis 18:6–7). The wicked say much and do not perform even a little. Balak said: “I will honor you greatly” (Numbers 22:17), but when he came, he sent him only one cattle and sheep.45Because they are described in the singular in the verse (Numbers 22:40), it is expounded to mean that he sent him one young bull and one sheep. Bilam began gnashing his teeth, as he had a greedy soul.
He said: ‘This is what he sent to me. Tomorrow I will issue a curse on his property’: “Bilam said to Balak: Build for me here seven altars, [and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams]” (Numbers 23:1).