Numbers 23:20-24

20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
21 “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed[a] in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.
22 God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.
23 There is no divination against[b] Jacob, no evil omens against[c] Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!’
24 The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till it devours its prey and drinks the blood of its victims.”

Numbers 23:20-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 23

This chapter gives an account of the sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam, and how God met Balsam, and put a word into his mouth, which he delivered in the presence of the king of Moab and his princes, Nu 23:1-7, the substance of which are, the separate state and condition of Israel from other nations, their number, and the happiness of the righteous at death, Nu 23:8-10, which made Balak uneasy, since instead of cursing he blessed Israel, and therefore he had him to another place to take a view of the people, Nu 23:11-13 where having offered sacrifices, another word was put into the mouth of Balaam, and which he also delivered before the king and his nobles, Nu 23:14-18, in which were expressed the unchangeableness of God, the irreversibleness of the blessing of Israel, the strength, safety, happiness, and glory of that people, Nu 23:19-24 which made Balak more uneasy still; but willing to try him a third time, he carried him to another place, and there built altars, and offered sacrifices, the consequence of which is related in the next chapter, Nu 23:25-30.

Cross References 13

  • 1. ver 5,16; Numbers 24:1
  • 2. Genesis 22:17; Numbers 22:12
  • 3. S ver 8; S Job 9:12; Isaiah 43:13
  • 4. Psalms 32:2,5; Psalms 85:2; Romans 4:7-8
  • 5. Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 50:20
  • 6. S Genesis 26:3; Exodus 29:45,46; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 34:17-18; Psalms 145:18; Zechariah 2:10
  • 7. Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5; Psalms 89:15-18; Isaiah 44:2
  • 8. Numbers 24:8; Joshua 2:10; Joshua 9:9
  • 9. Deuteronomy 33:17; Job 39:9; Psalms 22:21; Psalms 29:6; Psalms 92:10; Isaiah 34:7
  • 10. ver 3; S Genesis 30:27; Numbers 24:1; Joshua 13:22
  • 11. Numbers 24:9; Ezekiel 19:2; Nahum 2:11
  • 12. S Genesis 49:9
  • 13. Isaiah 49:26

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or "He has not looked on Jacob’s offenses" / "or on the wrongs found"
  • [b]. Or "in"
  • [c]. Or "in"
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