Numbers 24
24
Balaam’s Third Oracle
1When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at #ch. 23:3, 15other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel #See ch. 2:22-31 camping tribe by tribe. And #Judg. 3:10; 1 Sam. 19:20, 23; 2 Chr. 15:1; 20:14the Spirit of God came upon him, 3and he #See ch. 23:7took up his discourse and said,
“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,#24:3 Or closed, or perfect; also verse 15
4the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
# [Ezek. 1:28; 3:23; Rev. 1:10, 17] falling down with his eyes uncovered:
5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,
your encampments, O Israel!
6Like palm groves#24:6 Or valleys that stretch afar,
like gardens beside a river,
# [Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:8] like aloes #Ps. 104:16; Isa. 61:3that the Lord has planted,
like cedar trees beside the waters.
7Water shall flow from his buckets,
and his seed shall be #[Jer. 51:13; Rev. 17:1] in many waters;
his king shall be higher than #1 Sam. 15:8 Agag,
and #2 Sam. 5:12; 1 Chr. 14:2his kingdom shall be exalted.
8God brings him out of Egypt
and is for him like the #See ch. 23:22 horns of the wild ox;
he shall #[ch. 14:9; 23:24] eat up the nations, his adversaries,
and shall #Isa. 38:13; Jer. 50:17 break their bones in pieces
and #Ps. 45:5; Jer. 50:9pierce them through with his arrows.
9He crouched, he lay down like a lion
and #ch. 23:24; Gen. 49:9 like a lioness; who will rouse him up?
#
Gen. 12:3; 27:29 Blessed are those who bless you,
and cursed are those who curse you.”
10And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he #[Job 27:23; Lam. 2:15; Ezek. 21:14, 17; 22:13] struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, #See ch. 23:11“I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. 11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, #ch. 22:17, 37‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13#ch. 22:18 ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad #See ch. 16:28of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’? 14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, #[Mic. 6:5; Rev. 2:14] I will let you know what this people will do to your people #See Gen. 49:1in the latter days.”
Balaam’s Final Oracle
15 # [ch. 21:27]; See ch. 23:7 And he took up his discourse and said,
“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of #Acts 7:48 the Most High,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
# See ver. 4 falling down with his eyes uncovered:
17 # [ch. 23:9] I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near:
#
Matt. 2:2; Rev. 22:16 a star shall come out of Jacob,
and #Gen. 49:10 a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall #Jer. 48:45; [2 Sam. 8:2]crush the forehead#24:17 Hebrew corners [of the head] of Moab
and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 # [2 Sam. 8:14; Ps. 60:8, 9; Amos 9:12] Edom shall be dispossessed;
#
Gen. 32:3; 36:8 Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
Israel is doing valiantly.
19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
and destroy the survivors of cities!”
20Then he looked on Amalek and #See ch. 23:7 took up his discourse and said,
“Amalek was the first among the nations,
# [Ex. 17:14; 1 Sam. 15:3, 8] but its end is utter destruction.”
21And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said,
“Enduring is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in the rock.
22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned
when Asshur takes you away captive.”
23And he took up his discourse and said,
“Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24But ships shall come from #Gen. 10:4; Dan. 11:30 Kittim
and shall afflict Asshur and #Gen. 10:21, 25 Eber;
and he too #ver. 20shall come to utter destruction.”
25Then Balaam rose and #[ch. 31:8]went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.
Currently Selected:
Numbers 24: ESV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Sign up to receive news and updates about the ESV: