Numbers 24:2

He saw Israel. As they were camped according to God’s directions (see ch. 2).

The spirit of God came upon him. On two previous occasions Jehovah had put words into Balaam’s mouth (ch. 23:5, 16). The same experience later came to Saul’s messengers (1 Sam. 19:20), and to Saul himself (1 Sam. 19:23). When the need arises God may use an evil person to bear a true message. God may speak to a man directly or in a dream (Num. 22:9, 20), or by a messenger (v. 32). In harmony with Balaam’s experience here, compare Isa. 48:16; 61:1; Micah 3:8.

Hath said. Commonly used in the prophetic books of the Bible to introduce a divine message (ch. 14:28). There are but three or four exceptions to this rule.

The man. There are several Hebrew words translated “man.” The most common is ’adam. This word occurs more than 450 times, generally in a generic sense. Another word, ’ish, is used of a man in contrast to a woman, a husband in contrast to a wife, a master in contrast to a servant, an eminent person in contrast to a lowly one. It stresses individuality. A third word is ’enosh. It emphasizes inferiority, being from the verb “to be sick,” “to be incurable.” This word is never used of the Messiah. The final word for man is geber, here used by Balaam of himself. As the word comes from a root meaning “to be mighty,” some commentators think its use by Balaam indicates arrogance.

Whose eyes are open. Commentators are not agreed as to the meaning of this expression. Many render it, “whose eyes are shut,” that is, whose natural physical sight was inoperative, so that he saw nothing with his eyes, but was in a trance. The Hebrew word does not occur elsewhere in the OT. Whether the word is translated as “open” or “shut,” in either case the thought is stressed that Balaam’s physical sight was superseded by spiritual sight. The eyes remained open but sightless.