Numbers 24:23

23 He delivered this message: "Oh no! Who will live when God decides to do this?

Numbers 24:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:23

And he took up his parable, and said
Or delivered another prophecy, having made some little pause:

alas, who shall live when God doeth this?
referring not to what goes before, but to what follows; though Jarchi and Aben Ezra think it refers to the Assyria conquering and carrying captive, not only the Kenites, but all the nations of the world, so that there was no living comfortably in it on his account; but this is said after Balaam had taken up his parable again, and so respects what follows, as the destruction of the Persian empire by Alexander, in which Ashur or the Assyrians were included; and the destruction of the Jews by the Romans more especially; which was such as had not been the like from the beginning of the world, ( Matthew 24:21 Matthew 24:22 ) , and perhaps may have a further respect to the affliction of the witnesses and church of Christ by antichrist; see ( Daniel 12:1 ) .

Numbers 24:23 In-Context

21 Then he saw the Kenites and delivered this message: "You have a permanent place to live. Your nest is built in a rock.

22 But it is destined to be burned, you [descendants of] Cain, when Assyria takes you as prisoners of war."

23 He delivered this message: "Oh no! Who will live when God decides to do this?

24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus. They will conquer Assyria and Eber. But they, too, will be totally destroyed."

25 Then Balaam got up and went back home, and Balak also went on his way.