And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. (Numbers 24:10)
Balak had in mind the labor and expense involved in a threefold repetition of building the altars and offering the sacrifices, and the false hopes that had been raised each time.
Smote his hands.
An expression of contempt and a sign of great anger (see Job 27:23; Lam. 2:15; Eze. 21:17). He may have thought Balaam in league with Israel and therefore making sport of him (Balak).
Balak’s anger was kindled.
Undoubtedly he now realized to the full the deception under which Balaam had come to him.