Numbers 24:5
Numbers 24:5 in Multiple Translations
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel!
How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your houses, O Israel!
How well set out your tents are, Jacob; the places where you live, Israel!
How goodly are thy tentes, O Iaakob, and thine habitations, O Israel!
How good have been thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel;
How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your dwellings, Israel!
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
How beautiful are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, and thy tents, O Israel!
You descendants of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful; they are truly lovely!
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 24:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 24:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַה
טֹּ֥בוּ
אֹהָלֶ֖י/ךָ
יַעֲקֹ֑ב
מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
טֹּ֥בוּ
ṭôwb
H2895
be pleasing
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֹהָלֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼôhel
H168
tent
N-mp | Suff
יַעֲקֹ֑ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
mishkân
H4908
tabernacle
N-mp | Suff
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 24:5
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
טֹּ֥בוּ
ṭôwb
H2895
"be pleasing"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this word means to be good or pleasing, often used to describe God's actions or human behavior. It appears in Genesis 1, where God sees that creation is good, and in Psalm 100, where the psalmist says that God is good and his love endures forever.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be pleasant, be delightful 1a2) to be glad, be joyful 1a3) to be better 1a4) to be well with, be good for 1a5) to be pleasing 1b) (Hiphil) to do well, do good, act right, act rightly
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, [idiom] please, (be, do, go, play) well. See also: Numbers 11:18; Nehemiah 2:7; Psalms 119:68.
אֹהָלֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
יַעֲקֹ֑ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
mishkân
H4908
"tabernacle"
N-mp | Suff
The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.
Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — Numbers 24:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Balaam’s Third Oracle
3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.Numbers 24:5 Summary
This verse is saying that the people of Israel are beautiful and special to God, and that their homes and communities are a reflection of His presence and care. Just like the Israelites, we as believers are also the dwelling place of God, and our lives should reflect the beauty and glory of the Lord, as in 1 Corinthians 3:16. As we trust in the Lord's provision and care, we can experience His presence and peace in our lives, just as the Israelites did in the wilderness, as seen in Exodus 33:14. By reflecting on this verse, we can be reminded of the importance of living a life that honors and glorifies God, as in Matthew 5:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Balaam's statement about the tents of Jacob and the dwellings of Israel?
Balaam's statement is a prophecy that highlights the beauty and blessedness of God's people, as seen in Numbers 24:5, and is reminiscent of the Lord's presence among His people, as in Exodus 25:8.
Why does Balaam use the terms 'tents' and 'dwellings' to describe the people of Israel?
The terms 'tents' and 'dwellings' refer to the temporary and permanent residences of the Israelites, respectively, and are used to emphasize the Lord's provision and care for His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:33 and Psalm 107:4.
How can we apply Balaam's prophecy to our own lives as believers?
As believers, we can apply Balaam's prophecy by recognizing that we are also the dwelling place of God, as in 1 Corinthians 3:16, and that our lives should reflect the beauty and glory of the Lord, as in Matthew 5:16.
What is the relationship between Balaam's prophecy and the overall narrative of Numbers 24?
Balaam's prophecy in Numbers 24:5 is part of a larger narrative that showcases the Lord's sovereignty and provision for His people, as seen in Numbers 22:1-24:25, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as in Genesis 12:1-3 and Deuteronomy 7:6-9.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for the Lord to dwell among His people, and how can I experience His presence in my own life?
- How can I reflect the beauty and glory of the Lord in my daily life, and what are some practical ways to do so?
- What are some ways that I can trust in the Lord's provision and care, even in uncertain or difficult circumstances?
- How can I apply the principles of Balaam's prophecy to my relationships with others, and how can I be a blessing to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 24:5
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,.... Not that the matter of which they were made was so rich, or their structure so admirable, but the order in which they were placed was so beautiful and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 24:5
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! - a fine burst of admiration, expressed in highly poetical strains.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 24:5
Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!Ver. 5. How goodly are thy tents.] It fareth with a hypocrite, as with a surveyor of lands, that taketh an exact compass of other men’ s grounds, of which he shall never enjoy a foot. See Numbers 23:10.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 24:5
3–9. Balaam’s first prophetic message. In its present form this consists of nine couplets and two triplets. But the text has undergone corruption, and perhaps there were originally eleven couplets.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 24:5
5. How goodly — Beauteous, delightful, profitable, and enduring. Thy tents — In the Greek, houses. The Church is called the tents of Jacob (Malachi 2:12) and the tents of Judah. Zechariah 12:7.