Numbers 24:15-25

Balaam's Final Oracle

15 1And he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of 2the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, 3falling down with his eyes uncovered:
17 4I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: 5a star shall come out of Jacob, and 6a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall 7crush the forehead[a] of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 8Edom shall be dispossessed; 9Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.
19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!"
20 Then he looked on Amalek and 10took up his discourse and said, "Amalek was the first among the nations, 11but its end is utter destruction."
21 And 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.
22 Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive."
23 And he took up his discourse and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24 But ships shall come from 12Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and 13Eber; and he too 14shall come to utter destruction."
25 Then Balaam rose and 15went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.

Numbers 24:15-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 24

In this chapter we are told, that Balaam leaving his enchantments, the Spirit of God came on him, and he spake of the happiness of Israel, and prophesied of their future greatness and glory, Nu 24:1-9 which so exasperated Balak, that he ordered him at once to depart from him, Nu 24:10,11. Balaam justified himself in what he said and did, and suggested that before they parted, he had something to say in a prophetic manner, concerning what Israel should do to Moab in "future" times, Nu 24:12-14 and then prophesies concerning the Messiah, and the destruction of Moab, and of some neighbouring nations, and even of some at a greater distance, as the Assyrians and Romans, Nu 24:15-25.

Cross References 15

  • 1. [Numbers 21:27]; See Numbers 23:7
  • 2. Acts 7:48
  • 3. See ver. 4
  • 4. [Numbers 23:9]
  • 5. Matthew 2:2; Revelation 22:16
  • 6. Genesis 49:10
  • 7. Jeremiah 48:45; [2 Samuel 8:2]
  • 8. [2 Samuel 8:14; Psalms 60:8, 9; Amos 9:12]
  • 9. Genesis 32:3; Genesis 36:8
  • 10. See Numbers 23:7
  • 11. [Exodus 17:14; 1 Samuel 15:3, 8]
  • 12. Genesis 10:4; Daniel 11:30
  • 13. Genesis 10:21, 25
  • 14. ver. 20
  • 15. [Numbers 31:8]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew corners [of the head]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.