Numbers 24:11-21

11 revertere ad locum tuum decreveram quidem magnifice honorare te sed Dominus privavit te honore disposito

12 respondit Balaam ad Balac nonne nuntiis tuis quos misisti ad me dixi

13 si dederit mihi Balac plenam domum suam argenti et auri non potero praeterire sermonem Domini Dei mei ut vel boni quid vel mali proferam ex corde meo sed quicquid Dominus dixerit hoc loquar

14 verumtamen pergens ad populum meum dabo consilium quid populus tuus huic populo faciat extremo tempore

15 sumpta igitur parabola rursum ait dixit Balaam filius Beor dixit homo cuius obturatus est oculus

16 dixit auditor sermonum Dei qui novit doctrinam Altissimi et visiones Omnipotentis videt qui cadens apertos habet oculos

17 videbo eum sed non modo intuebor illum sed non prope orietur stella ex Iacob et consurget virga de Israhel et percutiet duces Moab vastabitque omnes filios Seth

18 et erit Idumea possessio eius hereditas Seir cedet inimicis suis Israhel vero fortiter aget

19 de Iacob erit qui dominetur et perdat reliquias civitatis

20 cumque vidisset Amalech adsumens parabolam ait principium gentium Amalech cuius extrema perdentur

21 vidit quoque Cineum et adsumpta parabola ait robustum est quidem habitaculum tuum sed si in petra posueris nidum tuum

Numbers 24:11-21 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.