Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 23:1

1 AND Balaam said upto Balak, Build me here seven altars , and prepare me here seven oxen, and seven rams .

Either 1. To Baal, in whose high places this was done, and to whom alone Balak used to sacrifice. Or rather 2. To the true God, otherwise he would not have mentioned it to God as an argument why he should grant his requests, as he doth ver. 4. And though Balak was averse from God and his Worship, yet he would be easily over-ruled by Balaam, who doubtless told him that it was in vain to make an address to any other than the God of Israel, who alone was able either to bless or curse them, as he pleased. And therefore when Balaam lost his design this way, he tried it another way with greater success, but still used the same method, in provoking their own God to destroy the Israelites. Numb. 25. But though he direct his sacrifices to a right object, he chuseth a wrong place, and, to comply with Balaks desire, makes use of the high places of Ba[illegible: 1+ letters]l for this end, and mingles his own superstitions with the Worship of God, in erecting divers Altars, according to the manner of Heathens and Idolaters, 2 King. 18. 22. Isa. 17. 8. I[illegible: 1+ letters]r. 11. 13. Hos. 8. 11. and 10. 1. and 12. 11. whereas God appointed and holy men used but one Altar, though many sacrifices were to be offered upon it, Gen. 8. 20. Exod. 17. 15. and 24. 4.

This being the solemn and usual number in sacrifices, 1 Chron. 15. 26. 2 Chron. 29. 21. Iob 42. 8.