Numbers 24:13-23

13 ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD .’ I told you that I could say only what the LORD says!

14 Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.”

15 This is the message Balaam delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,

16 the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

17 I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

18 Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph.

19 A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”

20 Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!”

21 Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks.

22 But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.”

23 Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it?

Numbers 24:13-23 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. As in Samaritan Pentateuch; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain.
• [b]. Hebrew Asshur; also in 24:24 .