Numbers 24 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
~1406 BC, the 40th year after the Exodus from Egypt
Location
Plains of Moab, near Mount Peor overlooking the Israelite encampments
Audience
The Israelites encamped on the plains of Moab, preparing to enter the Promised Land
Situation
King Balak of Moab hires the prophet-for-hire Balaam to curse Israel, but God compels Balaam to bless them instead; in chapter 24, Balaam delivers his third oracle praising Israel's beauty and God's unalterable blessing.
Key Background
The Book of Numbers details the second generation of Israelites after the Exodus, who have wandered 40 years in the wilderness due to their parents' unbelief. After defeating the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, Israel camps in Moab, alarming Balak, who summons Balaam from Pethor (near the Euphrates) as a renowned seer. Balaam's oracles in this chapter foreshadow Israel's future victories and include a messianic prophecy about a star rising from Jacob.
When Balaam saw that Yahweh was determined to to Israel, he didn’t go off looking for and like before. Instead, he turned his face toward the wilderness.
Balaam looked out and saw Israel camped tribe by tribe. Then the of rushed over him,
and he spoke his oracle: "This is the of Balaam son of Beor, the of the man —
the declaration of one who hears what God speaks, who catches visions from the — collapsing, with
How beautiful your are, Jacob! How lovely your homes, Israel!
They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens that line the water, like Yahweh himself planted, like beside flowing streams.
from buckets, his crops drink deep from abundant streams. His king will tower over Agag, his kingdom will rise high and strong.
God brought him out of Egypt with the of an ox. He devours hostile nations, cracks their bones, pierces them with his arrows.
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness — who would dare wake him? Anyone who to you receives in return; anyone who curses you takes the curse on themselves.
Balak exploded with anger at Balaam. He and shouted, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and instead you’ve out on them — three times now!
Get out of here! Go home! I promised to you but Yahweh has blocked you from getting anything.”
Balaam replied to Balak, “Didn’t I already tell the messengers you sent me—
‘Even if Balak gave me his entire palace filled with silver and gold, I could not go what — not to do anything good or bad on my own.’ Whatever says is what I must speak.
Now look — I’m going back to my people. But first, let me warn you about what this people will do to your people in the to come.”
Then he delivered this oracle: “This is the declaration of Balaam son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eyes see true—
the declaration of one who hears what God speaks, who knows what the Most knows, who catches visions from the Almighty — collapsing, yet with eyes wide open:
I see him — but not yet. I glimpse him — but not near. A from Jacob, a up from Israel. He crushes the foreheads of Moab, shatters the skulls of all the of
becomes conquered land, Seir becomes conquered land — his enemies — while Israel marches on in strength.
A will from Jacob and destroy whoever is left in the city.
Then Balaam looked toward and spoke this oracle: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end — destruction.”
Then he looked toward the and spoke this oracle: “Your home seems so secure, your in the
But is for — how long until you captive?”
Then he spoke his final oracle: “Who can when this in
Ships come from the shores of — they will Assyria, they will — but they too will in ruin.”
Then Balaam got up, headed home, and Balak went on his way.