Numbers 24

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 24 of 36

¹ And Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, and he did not go, as at other times, to seek spells. And he set his face toward the wilderness.

² And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping, by its tribes. And the Spirit of God was on him.

³ And he took up his parable and said, The statement of Balaam the son of Beor, and the saying of the man whose eyes have been opened;

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Chapter Summary

Balaam blesses Israel a fourth time, prophesying their future prosperity and victory. When Balak dismisses him in anger, Balaam delivers additional prophecies about Israel's future conquests and the fate of surrounding nations, including the coming of a star and scepter from Jacob.

Key Hebrew Words

מָשָׁל oracle, parable H4912 · TWOT 1258a

בָּרַךְ bless H1288 · TWOT 285

כּוֹכָב star H3556 · TWOT 942a

שֵׁ֫בֶט scepter H7626 · TWOT 2314a

נַ֫חַשׁ divination, spells H5173 · TWOT 1348a

אָרַר curse H779 · TWOT 168

People & Context

Balaam

Prophet son of Beor who, with the Spirit of God on him, blesses Israel and foretells a star and scepter from Jacob

Balak

King of Moab, enraged that the prophet he hired has blessed Israel three times, who dismisses Balaam in anger

Timeline

Fourth Oracle of Balaam

Before returning to his people, Balaam delivers a final unprompted oracle concerning the latter days. He prophesies that a Star will march out of Jacob and a Scepter will rise out of Israel to crush Moab and conquer Edom.

Numbers 24:14-25

Balak's Anger and Balaam's Fourth Oracle

Balak angrily dismisses Balaam without honor. Before leaving, Balaam delivers a final oracle of a star marching out of Jacob and a scepter rising out of Israel to crush Moab and Edom, along with prophecies concerning Amalek and the Kenites.

Numbers 24:10-25

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