민수기 23:14 해설: Rashi & Kli Yakar

שדה צפים FIELD OF ZOPHIM — There was a high spot upon which the watchman (צופה) used to stand to observe whether any hostile force was coming against the city.

“And he took him to the field of Tzofim [watchers/seers].” After he could not find any trace of disqualification from idolatry through the roots, he returned to watch and look at the branches, namely to address the offspring through the sin of the Golden Calf that they made. And regarding this, it is said, you will see only its edge but you will not see all of it, because the patriarchs are not included among the children. Furthermore, only the inferior elements of the nation made the Golden Calf, as the tribe of Levi did not consent to it. And he said, from where you will see them, because through the Golden Calf they became exposed, as it is written And Moses saw that the people were exposed (Exodus 32:25), which Rashi explains as “uncovered,” and all the nations saw that the name of God had departed from them because of the Golden Calf. This is the meaning of field of Tzofim, which is an expression of watching/observing.

ראש הפסגה THE TOP OF PISGAH — Balaam was not as expert a diviner as Balak. Balak forsaw that at some time a breach in Israel would originate from there — and as a matter of fact Moses died there, — and therefore he believed that there the curse would certainly fall upon them. “And this (the effects of the curse)” — he thought — “must be the breach which I behold” (Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 13).