Números 24

Números 24

Meyer - Numbers 24:2 The Spirit of God came upon him. This is a solemn warning for us all. Balaam said truly, but he perished miserably. He heard the words of God, and saw the vision of the Almighty; but because he loved the wages of unrighteousness, and taught Balak to cast the stumbling-block of licentiousness before the children of Israel, he was slain in battle by the people whom he had blamed. He wished to die the death of the righteous, but was overtaken in that of the apostate. How near we may come to the gates of salvation, and yet perish miserably without! Distinguish between unction and union — Hooper, the greatest of English divines, says: “We are not to confuse the grace of union with the grace of unction.” It is possible to be united to the Lord Jesus in regeneration, without receiving the enduement of the Holy Spirit for service; and it is possible, like Saul, to be anointed for high office, without being truly regenerate. Official position may be worthily filled, and yet the heart be all awry. Distinguish between gift and grace. — We may be able to speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have the gift of prayer, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and yet be without love. The most gifted souls are by no means the most gracious. Desire earnestly the greater gifts, if you will; but be very sure that your heart is established with grace. Distinguish between vision and realization. — To see the fair land from afar, as Balaam did, is not enough; we must place our foot down on its soil, and go into it to possess. It is not enough to have an intellectual appreciation of the blessed life and the way to enter it; not enough to extol or proclaim it. We must make it ours by humility and faith. Wenham (TOTC-Nu) has an excellent summary of the time sequence and Balaam's encounters with God DAYS 1-2 Introduction Balaam's First Encounter with God DAYS 3-4 Balaam's Second Encounter Balaam's Third Encounter Nu 21:22-23 Donkey sees Angel -1 Nu 21:24-25 Donkey sees Angel -2 Nu 21:26-35 Donkey sees Angel -3 Nu 22:36-24:25 DAYS 5-6 Introduction Nu 22:41-23:12 First Blessing of Israel Second Blessing of Israel Nu 23:27-24:25 Third Blessing Nu 24:3-9 Blessing #3 Nu 24:15-19 Blessing #4 Nu 24:20-24 Three Curses Numbers 24:3 He took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened; BGT Numbers 24:3 καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν φησὶν Βαλααμ υἱὸς Βεωρ φησὶν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν NET Numbers 24:3 Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; NLT Numbers 24:3 and this is the message he delivered: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, ESV Numbers 24:3 and he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, NIV Numbers 24:3 and he uttered his oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, KJV Numbers 24:3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: YLT Numbers 24:3 and he taketh up his simile, and saith: 'An affirmation of Balaam son of Beor -- And an affirmation of the man whose eyes are shut -- LXE Numbers 24:3 And he took up his parable and said, Balaam son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says, ASV Numbers 24:3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith; CSB Numbers 24:3 and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, NKJ Numbers 24:3 Then he took up his oracle and said: "The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened, NRS Numbers 24:3 and he uttered his oracle, saying: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is clear, NAB Numbers 24:3 and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, NJB Numbers 24:3 and he declaimed his poem, as follows: The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man with far-seeing eyes, GWN Numbers 24:3 and he delivered this message: "This is the message of Balaam, son of Beor. This is the message of the man whose eyesight is clear. he took up: Nu 23:7,18 whose eyes are open hath said: Heb. who had his eyes shut, but now opened, Nu 24:4,16 22:31 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DISCOURSE #3 He took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor - The Septuagint translates discourse (mashal) with the Greek noun parabole. which is a rhetorical figure of speech, setting one thing beside another to form a comparison or illustration. The word oracle (neum) is used most often of divine utterances and this is the third of some 385 uses of neum in the Bible (first 2 uses - Ge 22:16, Nu 14:28) NN adds on oracle - The word נְאֻם (né’um) is an “oracle.” It is usually followed by a subjective genitive, indicating the doer of the action. The word could be rendered “says,” but this translation is more specific. Bush on oracle - The term is applied for the most part to divine oracles or declarations, which are “faithful sayings,” worthy of all confidence and acceptation. It is of very emphatic import, and its use in this exordium is no doubt to be referred to the Spirit who spoke through Balaam, and thus put a seal upon the prophecy as a truly divine revelation. The Most High was greatly magnified in thus ratifying His blessing upon His people through Balaam, a sorcerer and corrupt prophet who fain (gladly, willingly) would have cursed them. And this circumstance, tending so much to the divine glory, Balaam himself is made an instrument of proclaiming!!! He is virtually made to say, "Even the man whose power to curse was so much relied on, and who leaned so strongly to compliance with Balak’s suit—even he must and will affirm it, and vigorously stand to it, that Israel shall be blessed." The language of David, 2 Sa 23:1-2, is strikingly analogous, as the same word which occurs there also conveys clearly the intimation that what he said is not said from himself, but from the inspiration of the Lord’s Spirit, though uttered by his organs. "Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue." Discourse (04912)(mashal from the verb mashal - to rule e.g., Ge 1:18 or more generally indicates idea of comparison, likeness) usually conveys the meaning of a wise saying, but in two occurrences of the connotation of parable or allegory (as defined above) is clearly evident (viz. Ezek 17:2ff = a parable centering on two eagles, Ezek 17:12 representing Babylon and Ezek 17:15 representing Egypt, as well as centering on a vine Ezek 17:6), both in indictments against Israel for her sin. In Nu 23: 7, 18, 24:3ff. mashal refers not to a popular or common saying but to Balaam’s prophetic oracles (the first 7 uses in Scripture). In Isa 14:4 the context is after Israel's return to the land and the song is one of contempt or taunting (mashal) directed at the king of Babylon. A proverb is a truth expressed in brief and striking words, like "Pride cometh before a fall." John Phillips noting that the root verb means to rule says "Mashal therefore are words and sayings that are supposed to rule and govern life. The book of Proverbs then is not simply a collection of bits of human wisdom. It contains God's rules." (Proverbs Commentary) UBS - The Hebrew term for discourse is mashal, which normally refers to a brief proverb, wisdom saying, artistically structured poetic expression (formulated in parallelisms; see 1 Kgs 4:32). It can also refer to a longer discourse (see Job 27:1). Here in Num 23–24 it may be rendered “prophecy,” “oracle,” or “oracle speech Mashal - 40v - Num. 23:7; Num. 23:18; Num. 24:3; Num. 24:15; Num. 24:20; Num. 24:21; Num. 24:23; Deut. 28:37; 1 Sam. 10:12; 1 Sam. 24:13; 1 Ki. 4:32; 1 Ki. 9:7; 2 Chr. 7:20; Job 13:12; Job 27:1; Job 29:1; Ps. 44:14; Ps. 49:4; Ps. 69:11; Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:1; Prov. 1:6; Prov. 10:1; Prov. 25:1; Prov. 26:7; Prov. 26:9; Eccl. 12:9; Isa. 14:4; Jer. 24:9; Ezek. 12:22; Ezek. 12:23; Ezek. 14:8; Ezek. 17:2; Ezek. 18:2; Ezek. 18:3; Ezek. 20:49; Ezek. 24:3; Joel 2:17; Mic. 2:4; Hab. 2:6 And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened - Opened = LXX reads true ("the man who sees clearly declares") ; Vulgate reads closed The Spirit of God is upon him and has opened his spiritual eyes to see into the future. While some read the verb as shut rather than opened, the context of one "who sees the vision" and "having his eyes uncovered" (Nu 24:4) would suggest open is reasonable. Alternatively, if he were asleep (or in a trance) he could be seeing in a vision even though his eyes were shut. It is a moot point because the fact is Balaam's "saw" things which were prophecies that have come to pass or are yet future and will come to pass. NN - The Greek version reads “the one who sees truly.” The word has been interpreted in both ways, “shut” or “open.” (ED: shut or closed is used only in YLT and ASV - KJV and most modern translations have opened or a synonym). Numbers 24:4 The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, BGT Numbers 24:4 φησὶν ἀκούων λόγια θεοῦ ὅστις ὅρασιν θεοῦ εἶδεν ἐν ὕπνῳ ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 24:4 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: NLT Numbers 24:4 the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: ESV Numbers 24:4 the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: NIV Numbers 24:4 the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: KJV Numbers 24:4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: YLT Numbers 24:4 An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God -- Who a vision of the Almighty seeth, Falling -- and eyes uncovered: LXE Numbers 24:4 he says who hears the oracle of the Mighty One, who saw a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened: ASV Numbers 24:4 He saith, who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open: CSB Numbers 24:4 the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: NKJ Numbers 24:4 The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open: NRS Numbers 24:4 the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, but with eyes uncovered: NAB Numbers 24:4 The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled: NJB Numbers 24:4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened. GWN Numbers 24:4 This is the message of the one who hears the words of God, has a vision from the Almighty, and falls into a trance with his eyes open: saw: Nu 12:6 Ge 15:12 Ps 89:19 Da 8:26,27 Ac 10:10,19 22:17 2Co 12:1-4 falling: Nu 22:31 1Sa 19:24 Eze 1:28 Da 8:17,18 10:15,16 Rev 1:10,17 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAAM HEARS WORDS AND SEES VISION OF GOD The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty - Almighty is Shaddai (see full study of EL Shaddai - God Almighty) Bush - He hath said which heard the words of God. Heb. neum, the assured saying,—the same form of expression with that occurring v. 3, and implying a degree of emphasis and asseveration such as pertains to a divine oracle rather than to a human utterance. Falling down - Variously rendered = CSB = "who falls into a trance" KJV = "falling into a trance"; NET = "falling flat on the ground"; NIV = "falls prostrate." English of Lxx = "saw a vision of God in sleep." "The falling may simply refer to lying prone; and the opened eyes may refer to his receiving a vision." (NN) CBC - Lit., “falls down.” Some think this refers to ecstatic trance (Budd 1984:269; Noth 1968:190) or to a state of sleep to receive a dream, as the LXX understands it; however, Milgrom thinks it merely refers to homage to God (Milgrom 1989:203), as the NLT takes it. Bush - Falling (into a trance). The words “into a trance,” it will be observed, are supplied in our version, their equivalents not occurring in the original. This gives occasion to a twofold diversity of rendering. One class of expositors, agreeing with our translators, understand it of his falling into a trance-state on the occasion mentioned ch. 22, while on his way to Moab. Another takes the term “falling” as having reference to the frequent effect of the prophetic influx, which was to cause the subjects of it to fall down prostrate to the earth, as was the case with Saul, 1 Sam. 19:24. Compare also Gen. 15:12, Dan. 8:17, 18, Rev. 1:17, Ezek. 1:28, 3:23, 43:3, 44:4. Yet having his eyes uncovered - The Septuagint translates uncovered with apokalupto which means to reveal as when one takes the lid off and uncovers (so to speak) truth that previously was not known and in so doing to cause it to be fully known, which is a good description of the great prophecies that follow, prophecies that include revelation of the Messiah's coming and future kingdom. Numbers 24:5 How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel! BGT Numbers 24:5 ὡς καλοί σου οἱ οἶκοι Ιακωβ αἱ σκηναί σου Ισραηλ NET Numbers 24:5 'How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! NLT Numbers 24:5 How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! ESV Numbers 24:5 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! NIV Numbers 24:5 "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! KJV Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! YLT Numbers 24:5 How good have been thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel; LXE Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy habitations, Jacob, and thy tents, Israel! ASV Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel! CSB Numbers 24:5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. NKJ Numbers 24:5 "How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! NRS Numbers 24:5 how fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! NAB Numbers 24:5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel! NJB Numbers 24:5 How fair your tents are, Jacob, how fair your dwellings, Israel, GWN Numbers 24:5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and the places where you live, Israel. Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE BEAUTY OF ISRAEL How - "Here מָה (mah) has an exclamatory sense: “How!” (see Gen 28:17)." (NN) This word introduces this verse as an exclamation of admiration and introduces a section filled with highly poetic language Fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel! - ESV = "How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!" Balaam has just seen the orderly encampment with his own eyes including the central figure, the Shekinah glory cloud symbolizing the presence of Yahweh! Fair is the Hebrew verb tob which means to be pleasing, to be favored or to be acceptable. The Greek Lxx is kalos which means beautiful, handsome, lovely (cf use in Lk 21:5).Dwelling is mishkan which is translated tabernacle 109/129 uses and from Balaam's vantage point now, he would be able to see the central Tabernacle surrounded by all the other tents. In short, Israel's encampment is beautiful because of the presence of the Beautiful One! Bush - How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, etc. Heb. “How good!” but the original term has frequently the import of that good which is recognized in beauty, joy, delight, etc. Numbers 24:6 "Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters. BGT Numbers 24:6 ὡσεὶ νάπαι σκιάζουσαι καὶ ὡσεὶ παράδεισοι ἐπὶ ποταμῶν καὶ ὡσεὶ σκηναί ἃς ἔπηξεν κύριος ὡσεὶ κέδροι παρ᾽ ὕδατα NET Numbers 24:6 They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river's side, like aloes that the LORD has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters. NLT Numbers 24:6 They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. ESV Numbers 24:6 Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. NIV Numbers 24:6 "Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. KJV Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. YLT Numbers 24:6 As valleys they have been stretched out, As gardens by a river; As aloes Jehovah hath planted, As cedars by waters; LXE Numbers 24:6 as shady groves, and as gardens by a river, and as tents which God pitched, and as cedars by the waters. ASV Numbers 24:6 As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by the river-side, As lign-aloes which Jehovah hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters. CSB Numbers 24:6 They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the water. NKJ Numbers 24:6 Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters. NRS Numbers 24:6 Like palm groves that stretch far away, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. NAB Numbers 24:6 They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD. NJB Numbers 24:6 like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters! GWN Numbers 24:6 Your tents spread out like rivers, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars by the water. as gardens: Ge 2:8-10 13:10 Song 4:12-15 6:11 Isa 58:11 Jer 31:12 Joe 3:18 as the trees: {Ahalim,} "lign-aloe trees." This tree, which grows in the East Indies, is described as being eight or ten feet in height, with a stem the thickness of a man's thigh. At the top grows a large tuft of jagged and thick leaves, thick and indented, broad at the bottom, but growing narrower towards the point, and about four feet in length. The blossoms are red, intermingled with yellow, and double like cloves; from which comes a red and white fruit, of the size of a pea, oblong and triangular, with three apartments filled with seed. The tree has a very beautiful appearance; and a forest of them is said to bear a resemblance to a numerous encampment. Ps 1:3 Jer 17:18 which the: Ps 104:16 Isa 41:19 as cedar: Ps 92:12-14 Eze 31:3,4 47:12 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries METAPHORS OF A BLESSED PEOPLE AND LAND Note four rapid fire terms of comparison, specifically four similes. Ask the Spirit of Truth to open the eyes of your heart to what each of these similes might be describing about the land of Israel. Stay within the bounds of your "sanctified imagination" and don't go too far off. You will be blessed as you meditate before reading any commentaries. Like valleys that stretch out - Literally "as valleys they spread forth.” Valleys could be "palm trees" and so it would be "rows of palms." The Hebrew for valleys (nahalah) refers to streams or rivers including wadis that turn into raging torrents in rainy season. The picture is of lush and the Lxx actually translates it with pale which is a wooded valley overshadowing or covering (Lxx skiazo - used of Shekinah glory cloud covering the tabernacle - Nu 9:18). Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD Like cedars beside the waters - These are poetic prophecies of a prosperous nation. The Lxx for gardens is the word paradeisos which is from an Old Persian word (pairidaêza) for garden; park, paradise. It was the word used to describe the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:1-3+). NN - The language seems to be more poetic than precise. N. H. Snaith notes that cedars do not grow beside water; he also connects “aloes” to the eaglewood that is more exotic, and capable of giving off an aroma (Leviticus and Numbers [NCB], 298). Bush- As the valleys are they spread forth. The sentiment contained in the preceding verse is here farther amplified; the loveliness of the tents of Israel being exhibited in a succession of comparisons. First, they are spread out like valleys, implying both length and breadth, and conveying an idea of the large extent of Israel’s habitations. The original nahal denotes primarily a brook; then a valley, through which a brook runs. That here the latter meaning is intended, as our translators have taken it, is to be obviously inferred from the following comparisons, in which the tents of Israel are not compared to waters, but to objects by the side of waters, such as gardens, trees, etc. The scenery wrought into the picture is such as would be most charming to an Oriental eye, and such as would stand in most marked contrast with the wild, barren, rocky, and dreary desert through which Israel had passed, and in which they had so long abode. Here the images are those of fertility and beauty, and thus in accordance with the frequent strains of prophecy Numbers 24:7 "Water will flow from his buckets, And his seed will be by many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted. BGT Numbers 24:7 ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ καὶ κυριεύσει ἐθνῶν πολλῶν καὶ ὑψωθήσεται ἢ Γωγ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ καὶ αὐξηθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 24:7 He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted. NLT Numbers 24:7 Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. ESV Numbers 24:7 Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. NIV Numbers 24:7 Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. KJV Numbers 24:7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. YLT Numbers 24:7 He maketh water flow from his buckets, And his seed is in many waters; And higher than Agag is his king, And exalted is his kingdom. LXE Numbers 24:7 There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased. ASV Numbers 24:7 Water shall flow from his buckets, And his seed shall be in many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted. CSB Numbers 24:7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. NKJ Numbers 24:7 He shall pour water from his buckets, And his seed shall be in many waters. "His king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted. NRS Numbers 24:7 Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall have abundant water, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. NAB Numbers 24:7 His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; His king shall rise higher than.... and his royalty shall be exalted. NJB Numbers 24:7 A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, and his kingship held in honour. GWN Numbers 24:7 Water will flow from their buckets, and their crops will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be considered the best. pour: Ps 68:26 Pr 5:16-18 Isa 48:1 many waters: Ps 93:3,4 Jer 51:13 Rev 17:1,15 his king: Ezr 4:20 Ps 2:6-10 18:43 Joh 1:49 Php 2:10,11 Rev 19:16 Agag: 1Sa 15:8,9,32,33 his kingdom: 2Sa 5:12 1Ki 4:21 1Ch 14:2 Isa 2:2 9:7 Da 2:44 Rev 11:15 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Water will flow from his buckets, And his seed will be by many waters - Water was like "gold" in the arid middle east and here Israel is described as having an abundance. NN - "These two lines are difficult, but the general sense is that of irrigation buckets and a well-watered land. The point is that Israel will be prosperous and fruitful." Bush - He shall pour the water out of his buckets. Or, Heb. “Water shall flow out of his buckets.” That is, he shall be an instrument and a medium of imparting an abundance of spiritual blessings to others. As thirsty plants or fields are refreshed and fertilized by copious irrigation, so shall the barren moral wastes be beautified. His seed (shall be) in many waters. The primary idea conveyed to the mind of an oriental by this language would probably be very nearly the same with that received from the kindred words of the prophet, Is. 32:20, “Blessed are they that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.” “This,” says Sir John Chardin, “exactly answers the manner of sowing rice; for they sow it upon the water; and before sowing, while the earth is covered with water, they cause the ground to be trodden by oxen, horses, and asses, who go mid-leg deep; and this is the way of preparing the ground for sowing.” This then is doubtless the image couched under the letter of the text, but the spirit gives us a richer meaning grafted on the literal sense. The effusion of water, mentioned in the preceding clause, denotes the impartation of that scriptural or doctrinal truth which goes to prepare the mind for a fructifying process, as water which irrigates and saturates the earth prepares it for bringing forth an abundant crop of the grain sown. The “seed in many waters,” or the seed-corn sown in moist, watery, and fruitful fields, points to that higher spiritual element which is implanted in the instructed mind, and results in the production of the fruits of a holy life; for fruits are from seeds, and seeds are fruitful in proportion as the ground in which they are sown is well watered. The water and the seeds, therefore, denote different degrees of divine influence. And his king shall be higher than Agag - Israel's king will be greater than Agag, apparently a well known dominant king, probably not the King Agag described in 1 Samuel 15 who got hacked in two by Samuel! NN - "Many commentators see this as a reference to Agag of 1 Sa 15:32–33, the Amalekite king slain by Samuel, for that is the one we know. But that is by no means clear, for this text does not identify this Agag. If it is that king, then this poem, or this line in this poem, would have to be later, unless one were to try to argue for a specific prophecy. Whoever this Agag is, he is a symbol of power." Bush - And his king shall be higher than Agag. Our divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is undoubtedly here intended to be designated, by the spirit of prophecy, under the title of “his king.” Of him it is said, Ps. 89:27, that “he is higher than the kings of the earth;” and one of these kings, or perhaps rather a line of kings, is here specified under the name of “Agag.” This was the name of the king of the Amalekites, who were subdued by Saul, king of Israel, 1 Sam. 15:8. But it is supposed that the name was common to the Amalekite kings, like Pharaoh in Egypt, Abimelech in Philistia, and Cesar in Rome. The nation of the Amalekites was at this time powerful and formidable, as may be inferred from their bold assault upon a people so numerous as the Israelites, and from the declaration, v. 20, that they were “the first of the nations.” This was probably the reason why they were specified in preference to any other. He announces that the King of Israel should be the greatest of kings, inasmuch as no greater than Agag was then known. And his kingdom shall be exalted - This goes from the human kings of Israel (Saul, David, Solomon, et al) but when compared with the passages below that speak of a star with a scepter undoubtedly are Messianic and predictive of Jesus Christ, the King of kings over the exalted kingdom. Isaiah 2:2+ Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. Daniel 2:44+ “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. Revelation 11:15+ Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Numbers 24:8 "God brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries, And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows. BGT Numbers 24:8 θεὸς ὡδήγησεν αὐτὸν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ὡς δόξα μονοκέρωτος αὐτῷ ἔδεται ἔθνη ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ πάχη αὐτῶν ἐκμυελιεῖ καὶ ταῖς βολίσιν αὐτοῦ κατατοξεύσει ἐχθρόν NET Numbers 24:8 God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with arrows. NLT Numbers 24:8 God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows. ESV Numbers 24:8 God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. NIV Numbers 24:8 "God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. KJV Numbers 24:8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. YLT Numbers 24:8 God is bringing him out of Egypt; As the swiftness of a Reem is to him, He eateth up nations his adversaries, And their bones he breaketh, And with his arrows he smiteth, LXE Numbers 24:8 God led him out of Egypt; he has as it were the glory of a unicorn: he shall consume the nations of his enemies, and he shall drain their marrow, and with his darts he shall shoot through the enemy. ASV Numbers 24:8 God bringeth him forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox: He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, And shall break their bones in pieces, And smite them through with his arrows. CSB Numbers 24:8 God brought him out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. NKJ Numbers 24:8 "God brings him out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox; He shall consume the nations, his enemies; He shall break their bones And pierce them with his arrows. NRS Numbers 24:8 God who brings him out of Egypt, is like the horns of a wild ox for him; he shall devour the nations that are his foes and break their bones. He shall strike with his arrows. NAB Numbers 24:8 It is God who brought him out of Egypt, a wild bull of towering might. He shall devour the nations like grass, their bones he shall strip bare. NJB Numbers 24:8 God has brought him out of Egypt, is like the wild ox's horns to him. He devours the corpses of his enemies, breaking their bones, piercing them with his arrows. GWN Numbers 24:8 The God who brought them out of Egypt has the strength of a wild bull. He will devour nations that are his enemies, crush their bones, and pierce them with arrows. God: Nu 21:5 Nu 23:22 shall eat: Nu 14:9 23:24 De 7:1 break: Ps 2:9 Isa 38:13 Jer 50:17 Da 6:24 pierce: De 32:23,42 Ps 21:12 45:5 Jer 50:9 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PROPHECIES BALAK DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR God brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox - God was Israel's powerful covenant Defender. This repeats Nu 23:22 - “God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox." The comparison to horns of the wild ox gives a reason for the previous intimation (his kingdom shall be exalted) respecting the final victory of Israel. Bush - These words are here repeated from Nu 23:22, and as it was the Most High himself, their divine vindicator, guide, and king, who with a strong arm brought them forth out of Egypt, so that same God would make them victorious over all their enemies, so that consequently every form of opposition would be vain. This would constitute an appeal to Balak to halt in the dangerous path in which he was treading. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries - This was to soon be fulfilled in part by Joshua as Israel conquered the promised land but will one day (SOON) be fully fulfilled when Messiah returns to devour the nations who are His and Israel's adversaries! "It implies such an effectual weakening of their forces and resources that they should never be able to recover." (Bush) And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows - God will make good on His promise to give Israel the land of the Canaanites, not just in Joshua's day but in the greater Joshua's day when Messiah will reign over the land as King of kings and Lord of lords. The verbs crush and shatter recall the prophecy of Daniel of the Stone, the Messiah who would return and crush His enemies and all of Israel's enemies... “You continued looking until a STONE was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35 “Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the STONE that struck the statue became a great mountain (= KINGDOM) and filled the whole earth. (Daniel 2:34-35+) Numbers 24:9 "He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you." BGT Numbers 24:9 κατακλιθεὶς ἀνεπαύσατο ὡς λέων καὶ ὡς σκύμνος τίς ἀναστήσει αὐτόν οἱ εὐλογοῦντές σε εὐλόγηνται καὶ οἱ καταρώμενοί σε κεκατήρανται NET Numbers 24:9 They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!'" NLT Numbers 24:9 Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you." ESV Numbers 24:9 He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you." NIV Numbers 24:9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness--who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" KJV Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. YLT Numbers 24:9 He hath bent, he hath lain down as a lion, And as a lioness: who doth raise him up? He who is blessing thee is blessed, And he who is cursing thee is cursed.' LXE Numbers 24:9 He lay down, he rested as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall stir him up? they that bless thee are blessed, and they that curse thee are cursed. ASV Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee. CSB Numbers 24:9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness-- who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. NKJ Numbers 24:9 `He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?' "Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you." NRS Numbers 24:9 He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you." NAB Numbers 24:9 He lies crouching like a lion, or like a lioness; who shall arouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you! NJB Numbers 24:9 He has crouched, he has lain down, like a lion, like a lioness; who dare rouse him? Blessed be those who bless you, and accursed be those who curse you! GWN Numbers 24:9 His people lie down and rest like a lion. They are like a lioness. Who dares to disturb them? Those who bless you will be blessed! Those who curse you will be cursed!" couched: Ge 49:9 Job 38:39,40 who shall: Nu 23:24 Job 41:10 Ps 2:12 Blessed: Ge 12:3 27:29 Ps 122:6 Mt 25:40,45 Ac 9:5 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO BLESS ISRAEL He couches, he lies down as a lion - NLT = "Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down." (See also Nu 23:24) Bush - This verse, as well as Nu 23:24, refers primarily to the entire course of conquest of Israel over their enemies the Canaanites, and their subsequent perfect and quiet possession of the land promised And as a lion, who dares rouse him? - NET = "and as a lioness, who can stir him?" NLT = "like a lioness, who dares to arouse her?" NIV = "like a lioness--who dares to rouse them?" Do these passages about a lion sound familiar? They should for they were part of the Messianic prophecy by Jacob... Genesis 49:9-10 “Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. And so we see that again after over 450 years, the words are applied to the future king from the house of Jacob. Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you - Balaam repeats Yahweh's prophetic promise to Abram in Genesis 12:3+ "And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Bush - It is observable that the Lord here puts into the mouth of Balaam the same language with that which Isaac applies to Jacob in closing his benediction, Gen. 27:29, and with which also God crowns Abraham, the father of the faithful, Gen. 12:3. The Lord herein confirms the assurance of his favor to the righteous and their seed forever, and gives them to understand how profound and permanent shall be the peace Hobbs - Blessed is barak, which means “to endue with power for success, prosperity, fecundity, longevity.” Cursed translates ’arar, which means “to bind with a spell, hem in with obstacles, render powerless to resist.” These words of verse 9b are fulfilled in responses to Jesus. People’s responses to Him determine whether they receive eternal life or condemnation (John 3:17-21). Ironically, Balaam himself was cursed. He was compelled by the God’s Spirit to bless Israel with his words, but he later led Israel into sin and was punished for his sin. The biblical account of Balak and Balaam shows how God turns the evil intentions of enemies into blessings for His people. It also shows us that while we do not need a king in our republic, we do need a King in our lives. Only such a King can work all things together for good to them that love Him (Rom. 8:28). The responses of people to this King would determine whether the people themselves would be blessed or cursed -- Herschel Hobbs Numbers 24:10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! BGT Numbers 24:10 καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλακ ἐπὶ Βαλααμ καὶ συνεκρότησεν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ καταρᾶσθαι τὸν ἐχθρόν μου κέκληκά σε καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλογῶν εὐλόγησας τρίτον τοῦτο NET Numbers 24:10 Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! NLT Numbers 24:10 King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. ESV Numbers 24:10 And 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 blessed them these three times. NIV Numbers 24:10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. KJV Numbers 24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. YLT Numbers 24:10 And the anger of Balak burneth against Balaam, and he striketh his hands; and Balak saith unto Balaam, 'To pierce mine enemies I called thee, and lo, thou hast certainly blessed -- these three times; LXE Numbers 24:10 And Balac was angry with Balaam, and clapped his hands together; and Balac said to Balaam, I called thee to curse my enemy, and behold thou hast decidedly blessed him this third time. ASV Numbers 24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. CSB Numbers 24:10 Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, "I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times. NKJ Numbers 24:10 Then Balak's anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! NRS Numbers 24:10 Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times. NAB Numbers 24:10 Balak beat his palms together in a blaze of anger at Balaam and said to him, "It was to curse my foes that I summoned you here; yet three times now you have even blessed them instead! NJB Numbers 24:10 Balak flew into a rage with Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to Balaam, 'I brought you to curse my enemies, and you have insisted on blessing them three times over! GWN Numbers 24:10 Balak became angry with Balaam. He clapped his hands and said, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, and now you have blessed them three times. he smote: Job 27:23 Eze 21:14,17 22:13 I called: Nu 22:6,11,17 23:11 De 23:4,5 Jos 24:9,10 Ne 13:2 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAK IS FURIOUS AT BALAAM'S TRIPLE BLESSING Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together - Heb. “Clapped the palms of his hands”—a token of indignation, and at the same time of contempt (Lev 14:26, Lam 2:15). It is surprising that Balak did not kill Balaam at that moment. Bush - And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam. This unexpected termination of the affair exhausted the last remains of the patience of Balak, and led to mutual recriminations between himself and the hireling prophet. His predictions on this occasion had the air of a voluntary benediction pronounced upon a hated people, and nothing is so repugnant to the feelings of wicked men as the assured prosperity of the righteous. And Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! - Bush comments "He proceeds to charge Balaam with putting upon him a base affront and an intolerable cheat. Though he had called the prophet to curse his enemies, yet he bad virtually shown himself in league with them, although by his altars, and sacrifices, and other rites, he had made him believe that he would certainly curse them; instead of which he had three times blessed them, and that too in a very plenary and emphatic manner." Seth Postell compares the donkey with Balaam - Typically, a donkey is not reliable for spiritual guidance nor would its words be dependable even if it could speak. But if God opens the donkey’s mouth, its words are trustworthy regardless of the mouthpiece. Similarly, when Balaam finally arrives to do Balak’s bidding, Balak tries to force Balaam to curse Israel three times, just as Balaam had tried to force the donkey to go around the angel three times. In spite of Balak’s pleas, Balaam blesses them (Nu 22:41–23:12; 23:13–26; 23:27–24:9). In his exasperation, Balak’s words to Balaam echo Balaam’s earlier frustration with his donkey. Numbers 24:10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! Nu 22:28-29 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.” The parallels between the two stories suggest that Balak, like Balaam in the earlier narrative, blindly and perilously attempted to go against the Lord. And Balaam, like the donkey in the earlier narrative, supernaturally spoke the words God put in his mouth (Nm 22:28; 23:5, 16). Typically, the discourses of a wicked pagan enchanter are unreliable, but if God puts words in his mouth, those words are trustworthy regardless of the mouthpiece. Balaam is God’s donkey! (The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy - excellent resource) Numbers 24:11 "Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor." BGT Numbers 24:11 νῦν οὖν φεῦγε εἰς τὸν τόπον σου εἶπα τιμήσω σε καὶ νῦν ἐστέρησέν σε κύριος τῆς δόξης NET Numbers 24:11 So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the LORD has stood in the way of your honor." NLT Numbers 24:11 Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward." ESV Numbers 24:11 Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, 'I will certainly honor you,' but the LORD has held you back from honor." NIV Numbers 24:11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." KJV Numbers 24:11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. YLT Numbers 24:11 and now, flee for thyself unto thy place; I have said, I do greatly honour thee, and lo, Jehovah hath kept thee back from honour.' LXE Numbers 24:11 Now therefore flee to thy place: I said, I will honour thee, but now the Lord has deprived thee of glory. ASV Numbers 24:11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, Jehovah hath kept thee back from honor. CSB Numbers 24:11 Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the LORD has denied you a reward." NKJ Numbers 24:11 "Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor." NRS Numbers 24:11 Now be off with you! Go home! I said, 'I will reward you richly,' but the LORD has denied you any reward." NAB Numbers 24:11 Be off at once, then, to your home. I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has withheld the reward from you!" NJB Numbers 24:11 So now go home as fast as your legs can carry you. I promised to load you with honours. Yahweh himself has deprived you of them.' GWN Numbers 24:11 Get out of here! Go home! I said I'd reward you richly, but the LORD has made you lose your reward." I thought: Nu 22:17,37 the Lord: Mt 19:28-30 Ac 8:20 Php 3:8 Heb 11:24-26 1Pe 5:2,3 2Jn 1:8 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NO HONOR FOR BLESSING ISRAEL Therefore, flee to your place now. - Lxx has flee, pheugo, in the present imperative, keeping fleeing! Not a happy camper! Balak is frustrated and denounces Balaam. He commands Balaam "Get out of town, for you are a prophet of loss (pun intended) not of gain!" I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor - NLT = "I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward." Balak's theology is not far off, for indeed YAHWEH has not allowed Balaam to be honored by this pagan king who was ready to honor him if he cursed Israel. Bush - The God with whom you profess to be so familiar, and to whom you render such a dutiful obedience, has now rewarded you as you might have expected. He has deprived you of the best post in my court for the service you have done him. Thus it is that they who appear to be losers by obeying God rather than man, are apt to be rebuked by the worldly-minded as having foolishly thrown away the highest proffered advantages. We cannot, indeed, say much for the motives by which Balaam was governed in yielding compliance to the Divine impulse, but we can still affirm, that if he had been voluntary and sincere in his obedience, whatever honor he lost thereby at the hands of Balak, it would have been more than made up to him by that remunerating Providence which never forgets its own promises to those who devoutly trust in it. The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. -- Proverbs 11:18 Numbers 24:12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, BGT Numbers 24:12 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ οὐχὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις σου οὓς ἀπέστειλας πρός με ἐλάλησα λέγων NET Numbers 24:12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, NLT Numbers 24:12 Balaam told Balak, "Don't you remember what I told your messengers? I said, ESV Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, NIV Numbers 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, KJV Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, YLT Numbers 24:12 And Balaam saith unto Balak, 'Did I not also unto thy messengers whom thou hast sent unto me, speak, saying, LXE Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said to Balac, Did I not speak to thy messengers also whom thou sentest to me, saying, ASV Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying, CSB Numbers 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I previously tell the messengers you sent me: NKJ Numbers 24:12 So Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, NRS Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, NAB Numbers 24:12 Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not warn the very messengers whom you sent to me, NJB Numbers 24:12 Balaam retorted to Balak, 'Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, GWN Numbers 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, "I told the messengers you sent me, Nu 22:18,38 Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAAM REMINDS BALAK Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying - Balaam is simply reminding Balak of what he had told him in Numbers 22:18; “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God." and Numbers 22:38 " “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” Bush - Balaam makes the best of his case in vindicating himself from the charges alleged against him. He excuses the disappointment by referring to the restraining and constraining power of the Most High, who had irresistibly controlled his utterance. He pleads, moreover, that he could not be charged with deception, inasmuch as he had told him from the outset what he must depend upon. He had forewarned him of the contingency which had now actually occurred, and therefore it would be unjust to lay upon him the blame of what he could not help, of an inability which he had expressly announced as possible. Numbers 24:13 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak'? BGT Numbers 24:13 ἐάν μοι δῷ Βαλακ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ πονηρὸν ἢ καλὸν παρ᾽ ἐμαυτοῦ ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃ ὁ θεός ταῦτα ἐρῶ NET Numbers 24:13 'If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak'? NLT Numbers 24:13 'Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.' I told you that I could say only what the LORD says! ESV Numbers 24:13 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak'? NIV Numbers 24:13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what the LORD says'? KJV Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? YLT Numbers 24:13 If Balak doth give to me the fulness of his house of silver and gold, I am not able to pass over the command of Jehovah, to do good or evil of mine own heart -- that which Jehovah speaketh -- it I speak? LXE Numbers 24:13 If Balac should give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the Lord to make it good or bad by myself; whatsoever things God shall say, them will I speak. ASV Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what Jehovah speaketh, that will I speak? CSB Numbers 24:13 If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD's command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says. NKJ Numbers 24:13 `If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak '? NRS Numbers 24:13 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will; what the LORD says, that is what I will say'? NAB Numbers 24:13 'Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord to anything, good or evil, contrary to the command of the LORD'? Whatever the LORD says I must repeat. NJB Numbers 24:13 "Even if Balak gave me his house full of gold and silver I could not go against Yahweh's order and do anything of my own accord, whether for good or ill; whatever Yahweh says is what I shall say"? GWN Numbers 24:13 'Even if Balak would give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn't disobey the LORD's command no matter how good or bad the request might seem to me. I must say only what the LORD says.' Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAAM REITERATES ONLY THE WORDS OF YAHWEH Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary (Lit “I am not able to go beyond”) to the command (Lit - "mouth") of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord (Lit - “from my heart.”) - NET = "I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own wil." Balaam essentially repeats Nu 22:18 to Balak. Bush - I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord. Heb. “Beyond the mouth of the Lord.” Gr. “Cannot transgress the word of the Lord;” implying not only the divine decree, but the divine dictate within the prophet’s bosom, which he would fain have suppressed if he could. But he indicates that he was bound by the power of the Spirit to declare, even against his own will, whatever revelation he received. To do either good or bad, of my own accord (Lit - “from my heart.”) The word “heart” is here contrasted with the operation of the Lord’s Spirit, as impostors are said to speak “out of their own heart,” when they falsely use the name of God to cover their own inventions. Being under a divine prompting, he did not feel at liberty to speak “of his own heart.” What the LORD speaks, that I will speak - NET = "whatever the LORD tells me I must speak' Here Balaam states what he had said in Nu 22:38 = "m I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” Numbers 24:14 "And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come." BGT Numbers 24:14 καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀποτρέχω εἰς τὸν τόπον μου δεῦρο συμβουλεύσω σοι τί ποιήσει ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τὸν λαόν σου ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν NET Numbers 24:14 And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future." NLT Numbers 24:14 Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future." ESV Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days." NIV Numbers 24:14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." KJV Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. YLT Numbers 24:14 and, now, lo, I am going to my people; come, I counsel thee concerning that which this people doth to thy people, in the latter end of the days.' LXE Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I return to my place; come, I will advise thee of what this people shall do to thy people in the last days. ASV Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. CSB Numbers 24:14 Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future." NKJ Numbers 24:14 "And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days." NRS Numbers 24:14 So now, I am going to my people; let me advise you what this people will do to your people in days to come." NAB Numbers 24:14 "But now that I am about to go to my own people, let me first warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come." NJB Numbers 24:14 Now that I am going back to my own folk, let me warn you what this people will do to your people, in days to come.' GWN Numbers 24:14 Even though I'm going back to my people, I'll give you some advice. I'll tell you what these people will do to your people in the days to come." I will advertise: Nu 24:17 31:7-18 Mic 6:5 Rev 2:10,14 the latter: Ge 49:1 Isa 24:22 Jer 48:47 49:39 Da 2:28 10:14 Ho 3:5 Ac 2:17 2Ti 3:1 Numbers 24:14-25 Skywatch ’85: Halley’s Comet, or Jacob’s Eternal Star - S Lewis Johnson Numbers 24:14-25 Jacob's Awesome Star - S Lewis Johnson Numbers 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PROPHECY FOR THE LATTER DAYS And now, behold (hinneh), I am going to my people - Balak does not ask for this one! Balaam has a parting salvo for Balak. NN - "The construction is the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) suffixed followed by the active participle. This is the futur instans use of the participle, to express something that is about to happen: “I am about to go.” Come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come (Lit = "in the latter days") - ESV = "I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days." As best we can discern Balaam is still under the influence of the Holy Spirit (cf Nu 24:15 "whose eye is opened") as he speaks these final set of discourses, which is why I personally doubt that it was at this time he gave Balak the counsel of Nu 31:16+. Related Resource: The Last Days Bush comments advise " inform, usually signifies to counsel, to advise, and some have supposed it was on this occasion that Balaam gave the infamous counsel mentioned Nu 31:16, by which Israel was seduced into a fatal transgression with the Midianitish women....But the weight of evidence is in favor of the present rendering, to wit, that he would inform Balak, in the exercise of his prophetic gift, what the people of Israel should eventually do to the people of Moab, whom, for the present, they were not to disturb, but in respect to whom we learn that in a subsequent age, in the reign of David, the prediction went into accomplishment, 2 Sam. 8:2, “And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.” Again, in Jer. 48:1-47 ("Moab" mentioned 34x in Jeremiah 48), there is an extended prophecy of Moab’s destruction, with a promise of the returning of their captivity “in the latter days.” (Jer 48:47).