Numbers Chapter 24
From The Open Bible Project
24:1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn't go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
- (a) Where the Israelites camped.
24:2 Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
24:3 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
- (b) His eyes were shut up before in respect to the clear visions which he saw after.
24:4 he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
- (c) Though he lay as in a sleep, yet the eyes of his mind were open.
24:5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel!
24:6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.
24:7 Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.
- (d) His prosperity and posterity will be very great.
- (e) Which name was common to the kings of Amalek.
24:8 God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.
24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."
24:10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
- (f) In token of anger.
24:11 Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor."
- (g) Thus the wicked burden God when they cannot carry out their wicked enterprises.
24:12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
24:13 'If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what Yahweh says'?
24:14 Now, behold, I go to my people: come, [and] I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days."
- (h) He gave also wicked counsel to cause the Israelites to sin, that God might forsake them, (Numbers 31:16).
24:15 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
24:16 he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
24:17 I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
- (i) Meaning Christ.
- (k) That is, the princes.
- (l) He shall subdue all that resist: for of Sheth came Noah, and of Noah all the world.
24:18 Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
24:19 Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city."
- (m) Of the Edomites.
24:20 He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."
- (n) The Amalekites first made war against Israel, (Numbers 14:45).
24:21 He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, "Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.
- (o) Make yourself as strong as you can.
24:22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive."
24:23 He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?
- (p) Some read, Oh who shall not perish when the enemy (that is, Antichrist) shall set himself up as God?
24:24 But ships [shall come] from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction."
- (q) The Grecians and Romans.
- (r) Meaning, Eber, or the Jews for rebelling against God.
24:25 Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
