Numbers 24

Balaam, hired by Balak to curse Israel, now gives up his sorcery. The Spirit of God comes on him, and he blesses Israel a third time, then speaks four more oracles about the future. Balak’s anger boils over, and Balaam foretells a coming star and scepter out of Israel who will defeat Israel’s enemies.

Numbers 24:1

Balaam finally sees that blessing Israel is what the LORD wants. So he drops his usual tricks of sorcery, the omen-seeking he had tried before, and simply faces the wilderness where Israel is camped. God will not be manipulated; He speaks freely.

BSA: sorcery (“divination, enchantments”): Balaam had tried to read signs and omens to get a message; now he stops and waits for God to speak.

See also: Numbers 23:3.

Numbers 24:2

Balaam looks out and sees Israel camped tribe by tribe, orderly and arranged around God’s tabernacle. Then the Spirit of God comes on him. His words in this chapter are not his own idea but are given by God, even though Balaam himself is a flawed man.

BSA: came upon (“rushed upon, took control of”): The Spirit seizes Balaam, so what he says is God’s word, not his own wish.

Numbers 24:3-4

Balaam introduces his oracle with a claim of authority. He is a man who hears God’s words and sees a vision from the Almighty. He falls down, yet his eyes are open. God’s revelation comes to him from outside himself, whatever his own heart may be.

BSA: open (“unveiled, revealed”): His inner sight is uncovered so he sees what ordinary eyes cannot.

Hebrew: שַׁדַּי (Shadday, H7706) — “Almighty.” This is the old name for God that the patriarchs knew. It stresses His power to do what He has promised to Abraham’s family.

See also: Genesis 17:1.

Numbers 24:5

Balak wanted a curse, but Balaam exclaims over the beauty of Israel’s camp. Tents on the desert floor look lovely to him because God’s people live there. What looks plain to the world is precious in God’s eyes.

BSA: lovely (“goodly, beautiful, pleasing”): The word means good and pleasing, a verdict on Israel’s whole life together under God.

Numbers 24:6

Balaam piles up pictures of life and growth: wide palm groves, gardens by a river, fragrant aloes and tall cedars near water. Israel is like well-watered trees, flourishing because the LORD Himself planted them and keeps them.

BSA: planted (“established and nurtured”): Israel’s thriving is God’s own work, not human achievement.

See also: Psalm 1:3.

Numbers 24:7

Water overflowing from buckets pictures plenty for Israel and for their children after them. Their king will be greater than Agag, a title of Amalekite kings. Israel’s kingdom will be lifted high. God promises a future of abundance and rule.

BSA: seed (“offspring, descendants”): The blessing reaches beyond one generation to Israel’s children. exalted (“lifted up, glorified”): The kingdom is raised high by God, not by its own strength.

Numbers 24:8

The God who brought Israel out of Egypt is the source of their strength. Like a wild ox, a fierce and mighty animal, Israel will overcome hostile nations. The picture is of the same power that rescued them from slavery now protecting them.

BSA: strength (“power, might”): The power is God’s own, shown in the exodus and promised again for the future.

See also: Numbers 23:22.

Numbers 24:9

Israel is like a lion resting, calm yet terrifying. No one dares disturb it. Balaam ends with echoes of God’s promise to Abraham: those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse will be cursed. Balak’s plan is turned upside down.

BSA: crouches (“bends in strength”): The lion’s rest is not weakness; it is strength held in reserve.

See also: Genesis 12:3; Genesis 49:9.

Numbers 24:10-11

Balak is furious. Clapping or striking hands together shows his rage and contempt. He has asked for a curse three times and received three blessings. He sends Balaam home and says the LORD has kept back the promised honor, though in truth Balak’s own plan has failed.

BSA: persisted (“continued, remained steadfast”): Balaam kept blessing, again and again, though Balak wanted the opposite.

Numbers 24:12-13

Balaam reminds Balak of what he said from the start. Not even a house full of silver and gold could make him go beyond the LORD’s word. He can only speak what God says. Whatever Balaam’s heart is like, God’s word cannot be bought.

BSA: command (“word, instruction”): The LORD’s own word sets the limit on what Balaam can say.

See also: Numbers 22:18.

Numbers 24:14

Before going home, Balaam offers a warning about what Israel will do to Moab in the days to come. The phrase points to the future, as far as the end of the age. What follows looks ahead to a coming ruler from Israel.

BSA: days to come (“latter days, future time”): This phrase marks a prophecy reaching far ahead into the future.

Numbers 24:15-16

Balaam repeats his opening claim, but adds one thing: he has knowledge from the Most High. God is the true source of everything that follows. Balaam is only the mouthpiece of a word that comes from above.

BSA: knowledge (“understanding, wisdom”): What he knows is not his own insight but something given by the Most High.

Numbers 24:17

This is the high point of the chapter. Balaam sees a figure far off in time, a star and a scepter rising from Jacob. Christians have long seen this as pointing to the Messiah, the King who will conquer. Moab is crushed under him.

BSA: star (“a celestial body”): A star is a bright sign of kingship rising over the nations. scepter (“a rod or staff, a sceptre”): The ruler’s staff means royal authority.

Hebrew: שֵׁבֶט (shevet, H7626) — “scepter, rod, staff.” The same word can mean a tribe or a ruler’s staff. It points to a royal ruler out of Israel, as in Jacob’s blessing of Judah.

See also: Genesis 49:10; Matthew 2:2; Revelation 22:16.

Numbers 24:18-19

Edom, also called Seir, will be taken as a possession, while Israel acts with strength. A ruler from Jacob will wipe out those left in the city. Israel’s old neighbors who opposed them will lose to the king God raises.

BSA: ruler (“with dominion, having power”): The coming one has real authority to rule and to put down enemies.

Numbers 24:20

Balaam looks at Amalek, the first nation to attack Israel after the exodus. Amalek was the first, or foremost, among nations, but will come to ruin. Those who set themselves against God’s people end in destruction.

BSA: first (“chief, primary”): Amalek ranked high among nations, which makes its ruin more striking.

See also: Exodus 17:8-14.

Numbers 24:21-22

The Kenites live safe as if in a nest on a rocky cliff. Yet even a high, secure home will not last when Asshur carries them off. Balaam shows that no earthly security is permanent apart from God’s will.

BSA: secure (“strong, enduring, like a rock”): The Kenites trust in a strong rocky place, yet it will not hold.

Numbers 24:23-24

Balaam’s last oracle sees great upheavals. Ships from the west, from Cyprus, will humble Asshur and Eber, but these conquerors too will perish. Kingdoms rise and fall, and no one lives unless God allows it. Only God’s purpose stands.

BSA: ordained (“appointed, set in place”): Life and history are set in place by God’s decree. Ships (“vessels, naval forces”): A sea power from the west will come as a conqueror.

Numbers 24:25

Balaam and Balak go their separate ways. Balaam’s story is not finished well; later Scripture recalls that he led Israel into sin at Peor. But God’s blessing on His people stands, however weak or crooked the messenger.

BSA: returned (“turned back, went back”): Balaam goes home with no reward, while God’s word to Israel stays firm.

See also: Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15.