Numbers 24

King James Version

Full text for Numbers Chapter 24

1¶ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:

5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.

7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows.

9He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee.

10¶ And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times.

11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

15¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:

17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.

21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

23And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

24And ships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

25And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Balaam, no longer seeking enchantments, is filled with the Spirit of God and blesses Israel for the third time, describing their prosperity and strength. Despite Balak's anger, Balaam delivers further prophecies, foretelling the rise of a "Star out of Jacob" and the future dominion of Israel over surrounding nations like Moab, Edom, Amalek, and the Kenites, along with a final prophecy concerning Chittim, Asshur, and Eber. He consistently emphasizes that he can only speak what the LORD commands.

Medium Summary

In Numbers 24, Balaam, abandoning his usual enchantments, is overcome by the Spirit of God and blesses Israel instead of cursing them. His third prophecy extols Israel's beauty, abundance, and formidable strength, likening them to a lion and declaring that those who bless them will be blessed, and those who curse them, cursed. This provokes Balak's intense anger, who dismisses Balaam for failing to curse his enemies. Balaam reiterates his inability to speak contrary to the LORD's word, regardless of reward. Before departing, he delivers a fourth set of prophecies concerning the "latter days." These include the rise of a "Star out of Jacob" and a "Sceptre out of Israel" who will conquer Moab and Edom. He also foretells the perpetual destruction of Amalek, the captivity of the Kenites by Asshur, and the eventual perishing of Asshur and Eber by ships from Chittim.

Long Summary

Numbers 24 opens with Balaam, having recognized the LORD's intent to bless Israel, abandoning his usual practice of seeking enchantments. Instead, he sets his face toward the wilderness, and as he observes Israel encamped by their tribes, the Spirit of God descends upon him. He then delivers his third oracle, a profound blessing upon Israel. Balaam extols the beauty and order of Israel's tents and tabernacles, comparing their spread to fertile valleys, riverside gardens, and well-planted trees. He prophesies their abundant prosperity, their king's exaltation above Agag, and their kingdom's rise. Furthermore, he declares Israel's divine deliverance from Egypt and their immense strength, likening them to a formidable unicorn that will consume its enemies. Israel is depicted as a couching lion, unassailable, and a blessing is pronounced upon those who bless Israel, with a curse upon those who curse them. Balak's fury erupts at this repeated blessing, and he vehemently expresses his disappointment, dismissing Balaam and attributing his lack of honor to the LORD's intervention. Balaam calmly reminds Balak of his prior declaration: that he could not transgress the LORD's command, even for a house full of silver and gold. Before returning to his own land, Balaam offers to reveal what Israel will do to Balak's people in the "latter days." He then delivers a fourth series of prophecies. Most notably, he foresees the emergence of a "Star out of Jacob" and a "Sceptre out of Israel," who will decisively conquer Moab and destroy the children of Sheth. He also predicts that Edom and Seir will become possessions for Israel, who will act valiantly. Balaam then turns his prophetic gaze to other nations: Amalek, though historically prominent, is destined for eternal destruction. The Kenites, despite their secure dwelling, will be wasted and carried away captive by Asshur. Finally, Balaam laments a future time when ships from Chittim will afflict both Asshur and Eber, leading to their ultimate perishing. With these pronouncements complete, both Balaam and Balak depart to their respective places.

Core Concepts

  • Divine CompulsionBalaam is repeatedly compelled by the Spirit of God to speak blessings and prophecies concerning Israel, despite Balak's desire for curses. This highlights God's sovereign control over even those who might wish to oppose His will.
  • Israel's Prosperity and StrengthThe prophecies describe Israel's beautiful encampment, abundant resources, and formidable power, likening them to a lion and a unicorn, signifying their divinely ordained might and secure future.
  • The Star and Sceptre ProphecyThis significant messianic prophecy foretells the future emergence of a powerful ruler from Jacob, often interpreted as a reference to the Messiah, who will conquer Israel's enemies and establish dominion.
  • Dominion Over NationsBalaam's oracles predict Israel's future conquest and possession of surrounding nations, specifically Moab, Edom, Amalek, and the Kenites, demonstrating their destined supremacy in the region.
  • Unchangeable Divine WordBalaam consistently states that he can only speak what the LORD commands, emphasizing that God's word is immutable and cannot be altered or circumvented by human desire or reward.
  • Latter Days PropheciesBalaam's final pronouncements extend beyond immediate events, detailing the fate of various nations in the "latter days," indicating a long-term divine plan for Israel and its neighbors.
  • Consequences of Blessing/Cursing IsraelThe declaration "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee" reinforces a foundational principle of God's covenant with Abraham, reiterating divine favor for those who support Israel and judgment for those who oppose them.