Commentaire de citation sur Les Nombres 23:1

מכל הבהמה הטהורה תקח לך שבעה שבעה, “from every species of pure domestic animal take for yourself seven pairs each.” In order to keep the species alive it would have been sufficient to take a single pair of each species. The reason G-d commanded Noach to take seven pairs of each of these species was to ensure that he would have sufficient animals to offer some as a sacrifice. There is a mystical connotation for this number seven which our author discusses in connection with Numbers 23,4 where we read about the number of animals Bileam offered before he hoped to curse the Jewish people.

The kohen will dip his finger i.e., the High Priest. The significance of seven times is explained in the parasha of Balaq [comment on Numbers 23:1]. Because of the High Priest’s great stature, the blood of his sin-offering is sprinkled in front of the holy Partition, and on the corners of the Incense Altar. All of the bullock, except for the organic fats, is to be burned outside, for it is not a burnt-offering.

how much more if he brings it with plans of wickedness! How much more if he brings it to be wicked and with evil counsel, such as the sacrifices of Balaam and Balak, who brought them only to curse Israel.