Numbers 24:21-25

Balaam’s Sixth Message

21 Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: “Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;
22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive.”

Balaam’s Seventh Message

23 Then he spoke his message: “Alas! Who can live when God does this?[a]
24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin.”
25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.

Numbers 24:21-25 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.

Cross References 8

  • 1. S Genesis 15:19
  • 2. Psalms 37:27; Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 32:18; Ezekiel 34:27
  • 3. S Genesis 10:22
  • 4. S Genesis 10:4
  • 5. ver 22
  • 6. S Genesis 10:21
  • 7. ver 20
  • 8. S Numbers 22:5; Numbers 31:8

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Masoretic Text; with a different word division of the Hebrew "The people from the islands will gather from the north" .
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