민수기 22:36의 Chasidut
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע בָּלָ֖ק כִּ֣י בָ֣א בִלְעָ֑ם וַיֵּצֵ֨א לִקְרָאת֜וֹ אֶל־עִ֣יר מוֹאָ֗ב אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־גְּב֣וּל אַרְנֹ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּקְצֵ֥ה הַגְּבֽוּל׃
발락이 발람의 온다 함을 듣고 모압 변경의 끝 아르논 가에 있는 성읍까지 가서 그를 영접하고
Kedushat Levi
22,36. “Balak heard that Bileam had come; he went out to meet him all the way to the city of Moab which is situated at the border with the river Arnon at its farthest point.”
A look at Rashi explains why Balak chose to meet Bileam precisely at the location mentioned. The reason why this choice of location was specifically auspicious in Balak’s eyes will be understood in conjunction with Balak’s having praised Bileam when he reminded him that when Bileam blessed someone the party would prove to be blessed. (Numbers 22,6) Balak knew firsthand that Moab’s loss of a great part of its territory had been due to Bileam having cursed it prior to Sichon’s attack on that country. Balak wanted to remind Bileam that if it had not been for his cursing Moab, the border during his time would have been much further to the east. (Rashi, 22,6 based on Tanchuma) Balak wanted to show Bileam that he had faith in the latter’s ability to curse. This might encourage him to also curse Israel successfully. Bileam and Balak were of one mind concerning their viewing Israel as an imminent threat, but G’d confounded their plans tuning them into blessings instead.
A look at Rashi explains why Balak chose to meet Bileam precisely at the location mentioned. The reason why this choice of location was specifically auspicious in Balak’s eyes will be understood in conjunction with Balak’s having praised Bileam when he reminded him that when Bileam blessed someone the party would prove to be blessed. (Numbers 22,6) Balak knew firsthand that Moab’s loss of a great part of its territory had been due to Bileam having cursed it prior to Sichon’s attack on that country. Balak wanted to remind Bileam that if it had not been for his cursing Moab, the border during his time would have been much further to the east. (Rashi, 22,6 based on Tanchuma) Balak wanted to show Bileam that he had faith in the latter’s ability to curse. This might encourage him to also curse Israel successfully. Bileam and Balak were of one mind concerning their viewing Israel as an imminent threat, but G’d confounded their plans tuning them into blessings instead.
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