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. 2 Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him. 3 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says; 4 he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: 5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel! 6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters. 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. 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. 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." 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. 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." 12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying, 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'? 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." 15 He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says; 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: 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. 18 Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly. 19 Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city." 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." 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. 22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive." 23 He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this? 24 But ships (shall come) from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction." 25 Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
Balaam, finding that God was determined to bless Israel, seeks no longer for enchantments, Numbers 24:1. The Spirit of God coming upon him, he delivers a most important prophetic parable, Numbers 24:2-9. Balak's anger is kindled against him, and he commands him to depart to his own country, Numbers 24:10, Numbers 24:11. Balaam vindicates his conduct, Numbers 24:12, Numbers 24:13; and delivers a prophecy relative to the future destruction of Moab by the Israelites, Numbers 24:14-17; also of Edom, Numbers 24:18, Numbers 24:19; of the Amalekites, Numbers 24:20; and of the Kenites, Numbers 24:21, Numbers 24:22. Predicts also the destruction of Asshur and Eber, by the naval power of Chittim, which should afterwards be itself destroyed, Numbers 24:23, Numbers 24:24. Balaam and Balak separate, Numbers 24:25.
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, Numbers 24:1 which so exasperated Balak, that he ordered him at once to depart from him, Numbers 24:10. 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, Numbers 24:12 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, Numbers 24:15.
(Numbers 24:1-9) Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel.
(Numbers 24:10-14) Balak dismisses Balaam in anger.
(Numbers 24:15-25) Balaam's prophecies.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.