Numbers 24:2-3

2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and 1the Spirit of God came upon him.
3 He took up his discourse and said, "2The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;

Numbers 24:2-3 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 2

  • 1. Numbers 11:26; 1 Samuel 19:20; Revelation 1:10
  • 2. Numbers 24:15, 16

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit "dwelling"
  • [b]. Lit "parable," and so throughout the ch
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