Numbers 24:16-25

16 He says, who hears the words of God, Knows the knowledge of Ha`Elyon, Who sees the vision of Shaddai, Falling down, and having his eyes open:

17 I see him, but not now; I see him, but not near: There shall come forth a star out of Ya`akov, A scepter shall rise out of Yisra'el, Shall strike through the corners of Mo'av, Break down all the sons of tumult.

18 Edom shall be a possession, Se`ir also shall be a possession, [who were] his enemies; While Yisra'el does valiantly.

19 Out of Ya`akov shall one have dominion, Shall destroy the remnant from the city.

20 He looked at `Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, `Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.

21 He looked at the Keni, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is your dwelling-place, Your nest is set in the rock.

22 Nevertheless Kayin shall be wasted, Until Ashshur shall carry you away captive.

23 He took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this?

24 But ships [shall come] from the coast of Kittim, They shall afflict Ashshur, and shall afflict `Ever; He also shall come to destruction.

25 Bil`am rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.

Numbers 24:16-25 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.