(41) Into the high places of Baal.—Or, to Bamoth-Baal. Bamoth-Baal was probably the first height on the way to the steppes of Moab from which the Israelitish camp could be seen. Hengstenberg observes that “Balak started with the supposition that Balaam must necessarily have the Israelites in view if his curse was to take effect.”

That thence he might see the utmost part of the people.—Better, And he saw from thence, &c. If the Authorised Version of Numbers 23:13 is correct, it seems necessary to understand these words as denoting that Balaam had a view from Bamoth-Baal of the whole army of Israel, even to the very extremity. or utmost part of the camp. This verse, however, is more commonly interpreted as denoting that Balaam saw only the extremity of the camp. So the Targum of Palestine: “He saw from thence the camp of Dan, which went at the rear of the people.” (See Note on Numbers 23:13.)

Numbers 22:41. The high places of Baal — Consecrated to the worship of Baal, that is, of Baal-peor, who was their Baal, or lord, as the word signifies, a name given to several gods, both male and female. Their god, like those of other nations, it appears, was worshipped on high places, which were generally planted with groves, whose solemn gloom served to inspire the worshippers with serious thoughts. To several of these high places Balak brought Balaam, that he might see where he could take the fullest view of the Israelites; for in those solemn imprecations it was judged necessary to have the persons devoted present to the view of him who pronounced the malediction.

22:36-41 Balak has now nothing to complain of, but that Balaam did not come sooner. Balaam bids Balak not depend too much upon him. He seems to speak with vexation; but is really as desirous to please Balak, as ever he had pretended to be to please God. See what need we have to pray every day, Our Father which art in heaven, lead us not into temptation. Let us be jealous over our own hearts, seeing how far men may go in the knowledge of God, and yet come short of Divine grace.That thence he might see - Rather, and thence he saw. 41. high places of Baal—eminences consecrated to the worship of Baal-peor (see on [87]Nu 25:3) or Chemosh. The high places of Baal, i.e. consecrated to the worship of Baal, i.e. of Baal-peor, who was their Baal or god, Numbers 25:2,3 or of Chemosh.

The utmost part of the people, i.e. all that people, even to the utmost and remotest of them, as appears by comparing this with Numbers 23:13. He hoped that the sight of such a numerous host ready to break in upon his country would stir up his passion and further his charms.

And it came to pass on the morrow,.... The day after the arrival of Balaam at Balak's royal seat, and after the entertainment given him, and the princes, "on the morning" (y) of that day, as the word signifies; and perhaps early in the morning, the king eager to be about business, and get the people of Israel cursed if possible as soon as could be:

that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal; where groves were planted, and altars erected to that "idol" and which the Targum of Jonathan calls the idol Peor, the same with Baalpeor, Numbers 25:3 which might be their god Chemosh, the same with Bacchus or Priapus:

that thence he might see the utmost part of the people; the whole host of Israel, even to the extreme part of it; the camp of Dan, as the Targum of Jonathan, which brought up the rear; he had him to those high places, both that he might have a better view of the whole body of the people, and know how they lay, and to direct his curses at them, and that success might attend the undertaking, these being places of religious worship. Josephus says (z) those high places were sixty furlongs or seven and one half miles from the camp of Israel.

(y) in matutino, Montanus; mane, V. L. Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (z) Antiqu. l. 4. c. 6. sect. 4.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of {t} Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

(t) Where the idol Baal was worshipped.