1
בשטים. כי כן כתוב ויחנו על הירדן מבית הישימות עד השטים והכל בערבות מואב כי לא זזו משם גם יהושע משם שלח מרגלים: IN SHITTIM. For Scripture clearly states, And they pitched by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim (Num. 33:49).1In other words, Israel was in Shittim during the incident of Balaam. They did not journey there after the incident. Everything took place in the plains of Moab, for Israel did not move from there.2Until Israel crossed the Jordan and entered Canaan. Also, Joshua sent spies from there (Josh. 2:1).
2
ולפי דעתי כי ויחל מהבנין הכבד הנוסף: [AND THE PEOPLE BEGAN.] I believe that va-yachel (began) is a hifil.