Why Was Hashem Angry at Bilam/2

Why Was Hashem Angry at Bilam?

Exegetical Approaches

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Evil Intent

Hashem was angry at Bilam since he was acting in bad faith.  Though Bilam knew that Hashem's intentions were that the Children of Israel be blessed, Bilam was nonetheless hoping to curse them.

Sources:RashiBemidbar 22:9-35About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RashbamBereshit 32:29Bemidbar 22:22-33About R. Shemuel b. Meir, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorBemidbar 22:12-35About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, ChizkuniBemidbar 22:12-34About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, AbarbanelBemidbar 22:2Bemidbar 22:22About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, SefornoBemidbar 22:12-38About R. Ovadyah Seforno, Or HaChayyimBemidbar 22:13-38About R. Chayyim b. Atar, HaKetav VeHaKabbalahBemidbar 22:12-35About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg, R. S.R. HirschBemidbar 22:12-39About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, MalbimBemidbar 22:6-40About R. Meir Leibush Weiser, NetzivBemidbar 22:11-38About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin

"קוּם לֵךְ אִתָּם" / "לֹא תֵלֵךְ עִמָּהֶם" - Did Hashem change His mind?

Evidence of Bilam's evil intent

Lack of Transparency

Bilam was not upfront with Balak's messengers, leading them to believe that he was coming to curse as they requested, when he, in fact, was not given permission to do so.

Sources:RambanBemidbar 22:13-35About R. Moshe b. Nachman #1

No Wrongdoing

Bilam had not yet committed any problematic deed. Hashem was simply issuing a warning to emphasize that he do as told.

Sources:perhaps Ralbag

Changing Circumstances

Hashem's varying responses relate to the changing deeds of Israel and whether or not they merited protection from Bilam's curses.