“The elders of Moav and the elders of Midyan went, with the tools of sorcery in their hands, and they came to Bilam, and spoke to him the words of Balak” (Numbers 22:7). “The elders of Moav and the elders of Midyan went, with the tools of sorcery in their hands” – they brought in their hands all sorts of tools of sorcery, with which they would perform sorcery, so that he [Bilam] would be unable to make excuses. The tools of sorcery were in the hand of the elders of Midyan, who said: ‘If he comes with us, he will succeed. If he delays for even a short time, he will be of no use.’ When he said to them: “Spend the night here” (Numbers 22:8), the elders of Midyan went, as they knew by means of their sorcery that he would provide no benefit.