Numbers 24:1-6

1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.

2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him

3 and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty,^[a]who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!

6 “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.

Numbers 24:1-6 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 23:20
• 2. S Numbers 23:23
• 3. Numbers 23:28
• 4. S Numbers 11:25,26; 1 Samuel 10:10; 1 Samuel 19:20; 2 Chronicles 15:1
• 5. ver 15
• 6. S Numbers 22:9; Numbers 22:20
• 7. S Genesis 15:1
• 8. Jeremiah 4:20; Jeremiah 30:18; Malachi 2:12
• 9. S Genesis 2:10
• 10. Psalms 45:8; Song of Songs 4:14
• 11. Job 29:19; Psalms 1:3; Psalms 104:16; Ezekiel 31:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "Shaddai" ; also in verse 16