A Nation that Dwells Alone/2

A Nation that Dwells Alone

Exegetical Approaches

Secure

Bilaam's words refer to the security of the nation of Israel.

Sources:Targum OnkelosBemidbar 23:9About Targum Onkelos, Targum Pseudo-JonathanBemidbar 23:9About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, RashiBemidbar 23:9About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorBemidbar 23:9About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, ChizkuniBemidbar 23:9About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, SefornoBemidbar 23:9About R. Ovadyah Seforno

Meaning of "בָדָד"

• Alone – The Targumim, Rashi, and Seforno understand the word to mean alone, and assert that Bilaam is prophesying that in the future the Children of Israel alone will inherit the Land and not be destroyed with other nations.
• Secure – R"Y Bekhor Shor and Chizkuni, in contrast, explain that the word simply means secure, pointing to the parallel verse, "וַיִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּטַח בָּדָד" as support.¹ R"Y Bekhor Shor does suggest an etymological connection to the meaning of "alone", suggesting that one who is not afraid is called "בדד" because he does not need others.

"וּבַגּוֹיִם לֹא יִתְחַשָּׁב"

Context of blessing

"ה' בָּדָד יַנְחֶנּוּ וְאֵין עִמּוֹ אֵל נֵכָר"

Are we meant to be part of the larger world?

Separate

Sources:Shemot Rabbah15:7About Shemot Rabbah, RashbamBemidbar 23:9About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraBemidbar 23:9About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. S"R HirschBemidbarAbout R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, MalbimBemidbar 23:9About R. Meir Leibush Weiser, NetzivBemidbar 23:9About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin

Special

Bilaam was prophesying about the unique status of the Children of Israel, Hashem's chosen nation.

Sources:? RalbagBemidbar 23:9About R. Levi b. Gershom, Akeidat YitzchakBemidbar 23:9About R. Yitzchak Arama, Keli YekarBemidbar 23:9About R. Shelomo Ephraim Lunshitz

¹ This verse equates the words "בֶּטַח" and "בָּדָד".  In addition the context speaks of Hashem saving the nation from its enemies.