Balaam Hides God's Refusal and Demands Greater Envoys

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 9:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 22:13:) "So Balaam arose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak: Go to your land, etc." He did not say to them: "The Holy One, blessed be He, gave me permission neither to go nor to curse." Rather, (the verse continues:) "The LORD has refused to give me leave to go with you." He said to me: "It is not befitting your honor to go with these, but only with men greater than they"—for he desires my honor. (Numbers 22:14:) "And the princes of Moab arose (and went) [and came] to Balak and said: Balaam has refused to go with us." Therefore (Numbers 22:15:) "And Balak once again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than these."

Themes

HumorWitRoyaltyTruthConversion

Biblical References

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