Numbers24
English Standard Version
1When it the Lord to , he did , at other , to for , but his toward the .
2And lifted his and tribe by . And the of came him,
3and he his and , The of the of , the of the whose is ,
4the of him who the of , who the of the , with his :
5 are your , O , your , O !
6Like that , like a , like that the Lord has , like the .
7 shall from his , and his shall be in ; his shall be than , and his shall be .
8 brings him of and is for him like the of the wild ; he shall the , his , and shall their in and them through with his .
9He , he like a and like a ; will ? are those who you, and are those who you.
10And was against , and he his . And to , I you to my , and , you them .
11Therefore to your own . I , I will you, but the Lord has from .
12And to , I your you to me,
13 should me his of and , I would be to the of the Lord, to either my own . the Lord , that will I ?
14And , , I am to my . , I will let you will to your in the .
15And he his and , The of the of , the of the whose is ,
16the of him who the of , and the of the , who the of the , with his :
17I him, but ; I him, but : a shall of , and a shall of ; it shall the of and the of .
18 shall be ; also, his , shall be . is .
19And one from shall exercise and the of !
20Then he on and his and , was the among the , but its is .
21And he on the , and his and , is your , and your is in the .
22 , shall be when takes you away .
23And he his and , , shall when this?
24But shall and shall ; and he shall come to .
25Then and to his . And also his .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 24.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel. (1–9). Balak dismisses Balaam in anger. (10–14). Balaam's prophecies. (15–25).
vv1-9
Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the Spirit that came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have not their hearts open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That knowledge which puffs men up with pride, will but serve to light them to hell, whither many go with their eyes open. The blessing is nearly the same as those given before. He admires in Israel, their beauty. The righteous, doubtless, is more excellent than his neighbour. Their fruitfulness and increase. Their honour and advancement. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their courage and security. The righteous are bold as a lion, not when assaulting others, but when at rest, because God maketh them to dwell in safety. Their influence upon their neighbours. God takes what is done to them, whether good or evil, as done to himself. (Nu 24:10-14)
vv10-14
This vain attempt to curse Israel is ended. Balak broke out into a rage against Balaam, and expressed great vexation. Balaam has a very full excuse; God restrained him from saying what he would have said, and constrained him to say what he would not have uttered.
vv15-25
Under the powerful influence of the Spirit of prophecy, Balaam foretold the future prosperity and extensive dominion of Israel. Balaam boasts that his eyes are open. The prophets were in old times called seers. He had heard the words of God, which many do who neither heed them, nor hear God in them. He knew the knowledge of the Most High. A man may be full of the knowledge of God, yet utterly destitute of the grace of God. He calls God the Most High and the Almighty. No man could seem to express a greater respect to God; yet he had no true fear of him, love to him, nor faith in him; so far a man may go toward heaven, and yet come short of it at last. Here is Balaam's prophecy concerning Him who should be the crown and glory of his people Israel; who is David in the type; but our Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah, is chiefly pointed at, and of him it is an illustrious prophecy. Balaam, a wicked man, shall see Christ, but shall not see him nigh; not see him as Job, who saw him as his Redeemer, and saw him for himself. When he comes in the clouds, every eye shall see him; but many will see him, as the rich man in hell saw Abraham, afar off. He shall come out of Jacob, and Israel, as a Star and a Sceptre; the former denoting his glory and lustre; the latter his power and authority. Christ shall be King, not only of Jacob and Israel, but of all the world; so that all shall be either governed by his golden sceptre, or dashed in pieces by his iron rod. Balaam prophesied concerning the Amalekites and Kenites, part of whose country he had now in view. Even a nest in a rock will not be a lasting security. Here is a prophecy that looks as far forward as to the Greeks and Romans. He acknowledges all the revolutions of states and kingdoms to be the Lord's doing. These events will make such desolations, that scarcely any will escape. They that live then, will be as brands plucked out of the fire. May God fit us for the worst of times! Thus Balaam, instead of cursing the church, curses Amalek the first, and Rome the last enemy of the church. Not Rome pagan only, but Rome papal also; antichrist and all the antichristian powers. Let us ask ourselves, Do we in knowledge, experience, or profession, excel Balaam? No readiness of speech, even in preaching or prayer, no gifts of knowledge or prophecy, are in themselves different from, or superior to the boasted gifts of him who loved the wages of unrighteousness, and died the enemy of God. Simple dependence on the Redeemer's atoning blood and sanctifying grace, cheerful submission to the Divine will, constant endeavours to glorify God and benefit his people, these are less splendid, but far more excellent gifts, and always accompany salvation. No boasting hypocrite ever possessed these; yet the feeblest believer has something of them, and is daily praying for more of them.
Key Words
בִּלְעָם: Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
פַּעַם: a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
קִרְאָה: an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
נַחַשׁ: an incantation or augury
Cross References
Numbers 24The sceptre rising out of Israel parallels the ruling sceptre promised to Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes Isaac's blessing that those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse are cursed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Uses the identical poetic imagery of a couching lion that no one dares rouse.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The ultimate messianic fulfillment of the Star rising out of Jacob as the Morning Star.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historically fulfills the prediction that Edom would become a possession of Israel under King David.
Supported by JFB
Connects ships of Kittim with military affliction, matching Daniel's prophecy of western powers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Refers back to the ordered arrangement of the tribes tenting around the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Demonstrates Saul's victory over Agag, showing Israel's king rising higher than Amalek's ruler.
Supported by JFB
Repeats the exact formula of God bringing them out of Egypt with the strength of a wild ox.
Supported by John Calvin
Balaam repeats his restriction: he cannot go beyond Yahweh's word for silver or gold.
Supported by John Calvin
The star seen by the wise men in the east heralds the King of the Jews.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Corresponds to God's decree that Amalek's remembrance would be utterly wiped out.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the language of majestic trees (cedars of Lebanon) which the Lord has planted.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reveals the destructive advice Balaam gave to Balak before departing, causing Israel to sin.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the Kenites dwelling securely among Israel, illustrating their rock-like nesting place.
Supported by JFB
Records that Balaam did not simply depart in peace but was eventually slain among Midian.
Supported by JFB
Shows how an ungodly office-bearer (like Caiaphas) can be compelled to prophesy truly by God's Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides a biblical parallel of a prophet falling down in an ecstatic, involuntary state of prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that God refused to listen to Balaam and turned the intended curse into a blessing.
Supported by JFB
The physical action of smiting hands together as an expression of violent anger and vexation.
Supported by JFB