Numbers 23:24

24 Here is a nation that attacks like a lioness and is as ferocious as a lion. It doesn't lie down until it eats its prey and drinks the blood of its victim."

Numbers 23:24 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:24

Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion
Or rather, "as the lioness" ^F14, which, as Aelianus says ^F15, is the strongest and most warlike beast, the most fierce and furious, as is believed both by Greeks and Barbarians; and he mentions the heroism of Perdiccas the Macedonian, and Semiramis the Assyrian, in engaging with and killing, not the lion or leopard, but lioness:

and shall lift up himself as a young lion;
both phrases denoting the courage and strength of the people of Israel, in attacking their enemies and engaging them:

he shall not lie down;
being once roused up and engaged in war:

until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain;
as the lion does when it has seized on a creature, tears it to pieces, eats its flesh and drinks its blood: this may refer to the slaughter of the Midianites that would be quickly made, and among the slain of whom Balaam himself was, ( Numbers 31:7 Numbers 31:8 ) , and to the slaughter and conquest of the Canaanites under Joshua, and taking their spoils.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (ayblk) "ut leaena", V. L. Tigurine version.
F15 Var. Hist. l. 12. c. 39. Vid. Herodot. Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 108.

Numbers 23:24 In-Context

22 The God who brought them out of Egypt has the strength of a wild bull.

23 No spell can curse the descendants of Jacob. No magic can harm the people of Israel. Now it will be said of Jacob and Israel: 'See what God has done!'

24 Here is a nation that attacks like a lioness and is as ferocious as a lion. It doesn't lie down until it eats its prey and drinks the blood of its victim."

25 Balak said to Balaam, "If you won't curse them, then at least don't bless them!"

26 Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I must do whatever the LORD says?"