Balaam had received permission to go with the messengers from Moab if they came in the morning to call him. But, annoyed at his delay, and expecting another refusal, they set out on their homeward journey without further consultation with him. Every excuse for complying with the request of Balak had now been removed. But Balaam was determined to secure the reward; and, taking the beast upon which he was accustomed to ride, he set out on the journey. He feared that even now the divine permission might be withdrawn, and he pressed eagerly forward, impatient lest he should by some means fail to gain the coveted reward.

Bileam havde fået tilladelse til at drage med sendebudene fra Moab, hvis de kom og hentede ham om morgenen. Sendebudene blev imidlertid utålmodige over hans tøven, og da de også ventede at få afslag fra ham næste gang, begav de sig på vej hjem uden at forhandle mere med ham. Nu havde han ikke længer nogen undskyldning for at føje Balak. Men Bileam var opsat på at få den lovede belønning. Han tog derfor det dyr, som han plejede at ride på, og red af sted. Han var bange for, at den guddommelige tilladelse skulle blive trukket tilbage. Derfor skyndte han sig så meget som muligt for ikke at gå glip af den belønning, han var så ivrig efter at få.