“Balak son of Tzipor saw” – what did he see? He saw the calamity that is destined to befall Israel from all its enemies, as all of them would come with wars and enslavement that they were able to endure. But this [one]3Bilam. is like a person who expresses a matter and uproots an entire nation. “Balak saw” – it is preferable for the wicked to be blind, as their eyes bring evil to the world.
Regarding the generation of the Flood, it is written: “The sons of the great saw” (Genesis 6:2) and it is written: “Ḥam father of Canaan saw” (Genesis 9:22). And it is written: “Pharaoh’s officials saw her” (Genesis 12:15), and likewise all of them.4All of the wicked. And here, “Balak saw.” “Balak saw” – this is analogous to a king who deployed guards to protect him from an enemy army.
He was certain in their regard that they were mighty. The enemy army passed and killed them, and he was full of trepidation in his regard. Likewise, Balak saw what they did to Siḥon and Og, to whom he was paying a wage to protect him, and he was fearful in his regard. Furthermore, he saw the miracles in the Arnon ravine.5See Bemidbar Rabba 19:25, 33.