Numbers 24 Study Notes
General
In his fourth oracle, what two images does Balaam use for the ruler he sees far in the future (Numbers 24:17)?
Answer: A star and a scepter
Balaam says he sees someone, but not now and not near; this ruler lies in the distant future. A star will rise out of Jacob; a scepter will come up out of Israel; and this ruler will crush Moab (24:17). A scepter is a king's rod, a sign of royal power. King David partly fulfilled this when he conquered Moab (2 Samuel 8:2). Both Jewish and Christian readers have long understood the verse to point to the Messiah, the promised King, and it fits Jacob's promise that the scepter would stay with Judah (Genesis 49:10). Christians see it fulfilled ultimately in Jesus, who calls Himself David's Root and Offspring and the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
- Numbers 24:17 (BSB)“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.”Balaam sees a distant figure: a star from Jacob and a scepter from Israel who will crush Moab.
- Genesis 49:10 (BSB)“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”Jacob foretold that the scepter would not depart from Judah, linking the scepter to a coming royal ruler.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (BSB)“David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.”David defeated the Moabites and made them subject to him, a first, partial fulfillment of the oracle against Moab.
- Revelation 22:16 (BSB)““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.””Jesus calls Himself the Root and Offspring of David and the bright Morning Star.
Theological
What two images does Balaam's fourth oracle use for the distant ruler from Jacob (Numbers 24:17)?
Answer: A star and a scepter
Balaam beholds a figure distant in time and place, a star emerging out of Jacob with a scepter rising out of Israel who will crush Moab (24:17). The scepter is royal imagery connected with Jacob's oracle over Judah (Genesis 49:10). The prophecy saw a first, partial fulfillment in David's subjugation of Moab (2 Samuel 8:2), and it has been widely read by Jewish and Christian interpreters alike as messianic, pointing ultimately to Christ, who names Himself David's Root and Offspring and the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
- Numbers 24:17 (BSB)“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.”Balaam sees a distant figure: a star from Jacob and a scepter from Israel who will crush Moab.
- Genesis 49:10 (BSB)“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”Jacob foretold that the scepter would not depart from Judah, linking the scepter to a coming royal ruler.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (BSB)“David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.”David defeated the Moabites and made them subject to him, a first, partial fulfillment of the oracle against Moab.
- Revelation 22:16 (BSB)““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.””Jesus calls Himself the Root and Offspring of David and the bright Morning Star.
General
What does Balaam say will be the end of Amalek, a nation he calls the first of the nations (Numbers 24:20)?
Answer: Destruction
Balaam looks at Amalek and says that although Amalek ranked first of the nations, its end will be destruction (24:20). Amalek had attacked Israel on the way from Egypt, and the LORD then vowed to erase Amalek's memory (Exodus 17:14). Amalek had struck at Israel's tired stragglers and did not fear God (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Later the LORD sent King Saul to carry out His judgment on them (1 Samuel 15:18).
- Numbers 24:20 (BSB)“Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.””Balaam declares that Amalek was first among the nations but will end in destruction.
- Exodus 17:14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.””After Amalek attacked Israel, the LORD vowed to blot out the memory of Amalek.
- Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (BSB)“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God.”Amalek attacked Israel's weary stragglers on the way from Egypt and had no fear of God.
- 1 Samuel 15:18 (BSB)“and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’”Samuel reminds Saul that the LORD sent him on a mission against the Amalekites, carrying out the judgment announced long before.
Theological
According to Numbers 24:20, what is the destiny of Amalek, foremost of the nations?
Answer: Destruction
Balaam declares that Amalek, foremost of the nations, will end in destruction (24:20). The oracle confirms the LORD's earlier sentence after Amalek attacked Israel on the way from Egypt (Exodus 17:14), a judgment grounded in Amalek's assault on Israel's weary stragglers and its lack of fear of God (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Saul was later commissioned to carry out that sentence (1 Samuel 15:18). God's word against His people's enemies stands even across centuries.
- Numbers 24:20 (BSB)“Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.””Balaam declares that Amalek was first among the nations but will end in destruction.
- Exodus 17:14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.””After Amalek attacked Israel, the LORD vowed to blot out the memory of Amalek.
- Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (BSB)“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God.”Amalek attacked Israel's weary stragglers on the way from Egypt and had no fear of God.
- 1 Samuel 15:18 (BSB)“and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’”Samuel reminds Saul that the LORD sent him on a mission against the Amalekites, carrying out the judgment announced long before.
General
What did Balaam do differently at the third site, once he saw that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel (Numbers 24:1)?
Answer: He gave up looking for omens and faced toward the wilderness
By the third site Balaam finally understood that blessing Israel was what pleased the LORD. So instead of going off to look for omens as he had the other times, he turned to face the wilderness (24:1). Omens are signs people try to read in nature or in sacrifices to learn the future. Balaam was a professional diviner, someone paid to do this (22:7; Joshua 13:22). God had forbidden Israel to practice such things (Deuteronomy 18:10). Here Balaam stops trying to find another answer.
- Numbers 24:1 (BSB)“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.”Seeing that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, Balaam stops seeking omens and turns toward the wilderness.
- Numbers 22:7 (BSB)“The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.”Balak's messengers came carrying fees for divination, showing the kind of service Balaam was known for.
- Joshua 13:22 (BSB)“The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.”Scripture remembers Balaam as a diviner, the craft behind his earlier search for omens.
- Deuteronomy 18:10 (BSB)“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,”God forbade Israel to interpret omens or practice divination.
Theological
What change in Balaam's procedure does Numbers 24:1 record at Peor?
Answer: He ceased seeking omens and turned to face the open wilderness
Recognizing that blessing Israel was the LORD's pleasure, Balaam no longer went looking for omens as before but faced the wilderness (24:1). The verse exposes his usual method: he was a diviner (Joshua 13:22), approached with fees for divination (22:7), a practice the Law prohibited in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10). Having seen God's settled purpose, he abandons the search for a different result, and the third oracle follows directly.
- Numbers 24:1 (BSB)“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.”Seeing that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, Balaam stops seeking omens and turns toward the wilderness.
- Numbers 22:7 (BSB)“The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.”Balak's messengers came carrying fees for divination, showing the kind of service Balaam was known for.
- Joshua 13:22 (BSB)“The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.”Scripture remembers Balaam as a diviner, the craft behind his earlier search for omens.
- Deuteronomy 18:10 (BSB)“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,”God forbade Israel to interpret omens or practice divination.
General
After the third blessing, whom does the angry Balak blame for Balaam losing his reward (Numbers 24:10-11)?
Answer: The LORD
Balak's anger boiled over. He clapped his hands in fury and complained that Balaam had blessed Israel three times when he had been brought to curse them (24:10). He ordered Balaam to hurry home and said he had meant to reward him richly, but the LORD had kept the reward from him (24:11). Balak had promised great honor (22:17), yet without meaning to he admits who was really in control. God Himself says He refused to heed Balaam, so Israel was blessed over and over (Joshua 24:10).
- Numbers 24:10-11 (BSB)“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.””Balak, furious after three blessings, strikes his hands together, orders Balaam home, and says the LORD has kept him from his reward.
- Numbers 22:17 (BSB)“for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’””Balak had promised to honor Balaam richly if he would curse Israel.
- Joshua 24:10 (BSB)“but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.”The LORD says He refused to listen to Balaam, so Balaam blessed Israel again and again.
Theological
In Numbers 24:11, to whom does Balak attribute the loss of Balaam's promised reward?
Answer: The LORD
Enraged after three blessings, Balak strikes his hands together (24:10), dismisses Balaam, and says that although he intended to honor him richly, the LORD has withheld his reward (24:11). The king who had promised great honor (22:17) unwittingly confesses God's sovereign control of the whole affair. The LORD's own summary is that He refused to heed Balaam, and so Israel was blessed repeatedly (Joshua 24:10).
- Numbers 24:10-11 (BSB)“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.””Balak, furious after three blessings, strikes his hands together, orders Balaam home, and says the LORD has kept him from his reward.
- Numbers 22:17 (BSB)“for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’””Balak had promised to honor Balaam richly if he would curse Israel.
- Joshua 24:10 (BSB)“but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.”The LORD says He refused to listen to Balaam, so Balaam blessed Israel again and again.
General
The closing words of Balaam's third oracle (Numbers 24:9) repeat which earlier promise of God?
Answer: His promise to Abram about blessing and cursing
Balaam ends the third oracle by picturing Israel as a lion lying down that no one would dare to wake, and then declaring that whoever blesses Israel will be blessed and whoever curses Israel will be cursed (24:9). These words repeat God's promise to Abram (Genesis 12:3), which was passed on to Jacob (Genesis 27:29). The lion picture echoes Jacob's words about Judah (Genesis 49:9). The irony is sharp: Balak, by trying to curse Israel, was putting himself under the curse.
- Numbers 24:9 (BSB)“He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.””Balaam pictures Israel as a crouching lion and says those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse Israel are cursed.
- Genesis 12:3 (BSB)“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.””God's original promise to Abram: He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
- Genesis 27:29 (BSB)“May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.””Isaac's blessing on Jacob repeats the same promise of blessing and curse.
- Genesis 49:9 (BSB)“Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?”Jacob pictured Judah as a lion crouching and lying down that no one dares to rouse.
Theological
Which earlier covenant promise is echoed at the close of Balaam's third oracle (Numbers 24:9)?
Answer: The Abrahamic promise of blessing and curse on others' response
The third oracle closes with the image of Israel as a crouching lion none dare rouse and the declaration that those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse it are cursed (24:9). This echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3), reaffirmed to Jacob (Genesis 27:29), while the lion image recalls Jacob's blessing on Judah (Genesis 49:9). Balak's attempt to curse Israel thus places Moab under the very covenant sanction he sought to invoke, and the hired seer ratifies God's promise to the patriarchs.
- Numbers 24:9 (BSB)“He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.””Balaam pictures Israel as a crouching lion and says those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse Israel are cursed.
- Genesis 12:3 (BSB)“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.””God's original promise to Abram: He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
- Genesis 27:29 (BSB)“May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.””Isaac's blessing on Jacob repeats the same promise of blessing and curse.
- Genesis 49:9 (BSB)“Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?”Jacob pictured Judah as a lion crouching and lying down that no one dares to rouse.
General
True or False: In Numbers 24:12-13 Balaam tells Balak that he could go beyond the LORD's command if the payment were large enough.
Answer: False
This is false. Balaam reminds Balak that he had already told his messengers that even a palace packed with silver and gold could not make him go past what the LORD commanded, whether for good or bad; he had to say what the LORD said (24:12-13; see also 22:18). Yet the New Testament shows Balaam's heart did not match his words. Peter says he loved the money that wrongdoing could earn (2 Peter 2:15), and Jude warns of people who rush after profit in Balaam's error (Jude 11). In the end Balaam could not speak against Israel, but he wanted the reward.
- Numbers 24:12-13 (BSB)“Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.”Balaam reminds Balak of his earlier words: even for a house full of silver and gold he could not go beyond the LORD's command.
- Numbers 22:18 (BSB)“But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.”Balaam had said the same thing to Balak's servants before he came.
- 2 Peter 2:15 (BSB)“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”Peter says Balaam loved the wages of wickedness, revealing what lay behind his words.
- Jude 1:11 (BSB)“Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.”Jude says false teachers rush for profit into the error of Balaam.
Theological
True or False: Balaam tells Balak in Numbers 24:12-13 that a sufficiently large payment would allow him to exceed the LORD's command.
Answer: False
This is false. Balaam insists that even Balak's house filled with silver and gold could not induce him to overstep the LORD's command, for good or ill, on his own initiative (24:12-13), as he had said at the outset (22:18). His words were constrained by God's sovereign control, but his heart was not changed. The New Testament judges him as one who loved the pay that unrighteousness earns (2 Peter 2:15) and makes Balaam's error a byword for rushing after profit (Jude 11). His outward submission to God's word was not matched by love for God.
- Numbers 24:12-13 (BSB)“Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.”Balaam reminds Balak of his earlier words: even for a house full of silver and gold he could not go beyond the LORD's command.
- Numbers 22:18 (BSB)“But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.”Balaam had said the same thing to Balak's servants before he came.
- 2 Peter 2:15 (BSB)“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”Peter says Balaam loved the wages of wickedness, revealing what lay behind his words.
- Jude 1:11 (BSB)“Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.”Jude says false teachers rush for profit into the error of Balaam.
General
In the third oracle, what does Balaam compare Israel's camp to (Numbers 24:5-6)?
Answer: Flourishing gardens and trees growing beside water
Balaam exclaims over the beauty of Israel's tents and homes (24:5). He pictures them spreading out like groves of palm trees, gardens by a river, aloes planted by the LORD Himself, and cedars growing by water (24:6). In dry country, a tree near water is a picture of life and blessing. The Bible uses the same picture for the righteous person (Psalm 1:3) and for the one who trusts the LORD (Jeremiah 17:8) and for the people God cares for (Isaiah 58:11). The camp Balak wanted cursed looks like a garden God has planted.
- Numbers 24:5-6 (BSB)“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.”Balaam praises Israel's tents and compares them to palm groves, gardens by a stream, aloes the LORD planted, and cedars by the waters.
- Psalm 1:3 (BSB)“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.”The righteous person is pictured as a well-watered tree that flourishes, the same kind of image Balaam uses.
- Jeremiah 17:8 (BSB)“He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.”The one who trusts the LORD is like a tree planted near water that never stops bearing fruit.
- Isaiah 58:11 (BSB)“The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”The LORD promises to make His people like a well-watered garden.
Theological
Which imagery dominates Balaam's praise of Israel's dwellings in Numbers 24:5-6?
Answer: Well-watered groves, gardens, and trees
Balaam praises the loveliness of Jacob's tents (24:5), comparing them to spreading palm groves, gardens by a river, aloes planted by the LORD, and cedars beside water (24:6). The imagery is of abundant, God-given life in an arid land. It anticipates the wisdom and prophetic pictures of the righteous as a tree set beside streams (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8) and of God's people as a watered garden under His care (Isaiah 58:11). The one hired to blight Israel is made to describe its flourishing under the LORD's hand.
- Numbers 24:5-6 (BSB)“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.”Balaam praises Israel's tents and compares them to palm groves, gardens by a stream, aloes the LORD planted, and cedars by the waters.
- Psalm 1:3 (BSB)“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.”The righteous person is pictured as a well-watered tree that flourishes, the same kind of image Balaam uses.
- Jeremiah 17:8 (BSB)“He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.”The one who trusts the LORD is like a tree planted near water that never stops bearing fruit.
- Isaiah 58:11 (BSB)“The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”The LORD promises to make His people like a well-watered garden.
General
In Numbers 24:7, whose king does Balaam say will surpass Agag?
Answer: Israel's king, with an exalted kingdom
Balaam foresees that Israel will have a king who surpasses Agag, with a kingdom lifted high (24:7). At this point Israel had no king at all, so this looks ahead to the future. Agag later appears as the name of an Amalekite king whom King Saul captured (1 Samuel 15:8). Under King David the LORD gave Israel victory everywhere (2 Samuel 8:14). Balak hoped to weaken Israel, but God announces that Israel's kingdom will rise.
- Numbers 24:7 (BSB)“Water 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.”Balaam says Israel's king will be greater than Agag and his kingdom exalted.
- 1 Samuel 15:8 (BSB)“He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.”Centuries later Saul captures Agag king of Amalek, when Israel has its own king.
- 2 Samuel 8:14 (BSB)“He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”Under David, the LORD gave Israel's king victory wherever he went, an exalted kingdom.
Theological
According to Numbers 24:7, whose king will surpass Agag?
Answer: Israel's king, whose kingdom is exalted
The third oracle foresees an Israelite monarchy greater than Agag, with an exalted kingdom (24:7), at a time when Israel had no king. Agag is later the name of the Amalekite king captured by Saul (1 Samuel 15:8), and under David the LORD granted victory wherever the king went (2 Samuel 8:14). The oracle points forward to the royal line that the fourth oracle develops with the star and scepter (24:17).
- Numbers 24:7 (BSB)“Water 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.”Balaam says Israel's king will be greater than Agag and his kingdom exalted.
- 1 Samuel 15:8 (BSB)“He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.”Centuries later Saul captures Agag king of Amalek, when Israel has its own king.
- 2 Samuel 8:14 (BSB)“He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”Under David, the LORD gave Israel's king victory wherever he went, an exalted kingdom.
General
Besides the crushing of Moab, which land does the fourth oracle say will become Israel's possession (Numbers 24:18)?
Answer: Edom, along with Seir
The ruler Balaam foresees will crush Moab (24:17), and Edom, along with Seir, the mountain country where Edom lived, will be taken over, while Israel acts bravely (24:18). A ruler from Jacob will destroy what is left of the city (24:19). This came true in part under King David, who conquered Moab (2 Samuel 8:2) and put soldiers throughout Edom (2 Samuel 8:14). The prophet Amos later looks forward to David's restored kingdom possessing what remains of Edom (Amos 9:11-12).
- Numbers 24:17-19 (BSB)“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.””The coming ruler will crush Moab, take Edom and Seir as a possession, and destroy the survivors, while Israel acts with valor.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (BSB)“David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.”David subdued Moab, which then brought him tribute.
- 2 Samuel 8:14 (BSB)“He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”David placed garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became subject to him.
- Amos 9:11-12 (BSB)““In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.”The prophets later foresee the restored house of David possessing what remains of Edom.
Theological
Which territory, paired with Moab in the fourth oracle, is said to become a possession (Numbers 24:17-18)?
Answer: Edom, together with Seir
The coming ruler will crush Moab (24:17), and Edom and Seir will be possessed while Israel acts valiantly; a ruler from Jacob will destroy the city's survivors (24:18-19). These oracles against Israel's neighbors saw partial fulfillment when David subjugated Moab (2 Samuel 8:2) and garrisoned Edom (2 Samuel 8:14). Amos extends the hope to the restored tent of David possessing what remains of Edom (Amos 9:11-12), setting the oracle within the larger line of Davidic promise.
- Numbers 24:17-19 (BSB)“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.””The coming ruler will crush Moab, take Edom and Seir as a possession, and destroy the survivors, while Israel acts with valor.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (BSB)“David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.”David subdued Moab, which then brought him tribute.
- 2 Samuel 8:14 (BSB)“He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”David placed garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became subject to him.
- Amos 9:11-12 (BSB)““In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.”The prophets later foresee the restored house of David possessing what remains of Edom.
General
True or False: In his final oracle Balaam says the ships from Cyprus will overpower Asshur and Eber and then rule forever.
Answer: False
This is false. Balaam asks who can survive unless God has decided it, and then says ships from Cyprus will arrive and overpower Asshur along with Eber, but these conquerors too will be destroyed forever (24:23-24). Every power rises and falls under God's control. God does whatever He pleases among the nations (Daniel 4:35) and sets the times and borders of every people (Acts 17:26). After this, Balaam went back home and Balak went his own way (24:25). No plan can succeed against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30).
- Numbers 24:23-25 (BSB)“Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.”Balaam asks who can live unless God has ordained it, foretells ships from Cyprus subduing Asshur and Eber and then perishing, and then goes home.
- Daniel 4:35 (BSB)“All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’””God does as He pleases among the peoples of the earth, and no one can hold back His hand.
- Acts 17:26 (BSB)“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.”God determined the appointed times and boundaries of every nation.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No wisdom or plan can prevail against the LORD.
Theological
True or False: Balaam's last oracle predicts that the invaders from Cyprus, after subduing Asshur and Eber, will reign in perpetuity.
Answer: False
This is false. Balaam opens by asking who can survive apart from God's decree, then foresees ships from Cyprus's shores humbling Asshur and Eber, only to perish forever themselves (24:23-24). Empires rise and fall by God's decree: He acts as He wills among the peoples (Daniel 4:35) and has fixed the times and boundaries of nations (Acts 17:26). Balaam then returns home and Balak departs (24:25), their scheme having failed, for no counsel prevails against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30).
- Numbers 24:23-25 (BSB)“Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.”Balaam asks who can live unless God has ordained it, foretells ships from Cyprus subduing Asshur and Eber and then perishing, and then goes home.
- Daniel 4:35 (BSB)“All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’””God does as He pleases among the peoples of the earth, and no one can hold back His hand.
- Acts 17:26 (BSB)“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.”God determined the appointed times and boundaries of every nation.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No wisdom or plan can prevail against the LORD.
General
What happened to Balaam as he looked out over Israel camped tribe by tribe (Numbers 24:2)?
Answer: God's own Spirit came upon him
As Balaam gazed at Israel's camp arranged by tribes, God's Spirit came on him, and he spoke his third oracle, a solemn prophetic message (24:2). This does not mean Balaam had become a faithful believer. God can speak through people whose hearts are not right with Him. The Spirit came on King Saul so that he prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10), and the high priest Caiaphas spoke true words about Jesus without meaning them the way God did (John 11:51). Jesus warns that some who prophesied in His name were never truly His (Matthew 7:22-23), and Peter says Balaam loved money gained by wrongdoing (2 Peter 2:15).
- Numbers 24:2 (BSB)“When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,”As Balaam looks at Israel camped by tribes, the Spirit of God comes on him and he speaks his oracle.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (BSB)“When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.”The Spirit of God also came on Saul so that he prophesied, though Saul later turned from the LORD.
- John 11:51 (BSB)“Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,”Caiaphas prophesied of Jesus' death without speaking on his own, showing God can speak through someone who opposes Him.
- Matthew 7:22-23 (BSB)“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”Jesus warns that some who prophesied in His name were never known by Him.
- 2 Peter 2:15 (BSB)“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”Peter says Balaam loved the wages of wickedness, so the Spirit's use of him was no mark of a changed heart.
Theological
What does Numbers 24:2 say came upon Balaam before his third oracle?
Answer: God's Spirit, coming upon him
Seeing Israel encamped by tribes, Balaam receives God's Spirit and delivers his oracle (24:2). The Spirit's coming here is a gift of inspiration for a task, not regeneration. Scripture elsewhere shows the Spirit enabling prophecy in Saul (1 Samuel 10:10), and God speaking true prophecy through Caiaphas, who did not speak on his own (John 11:51). Jesus warns that prophesying in His name is no proof of being known by Him (Matthew 7:22-23), and the New Testament verdict on Balaam is that he loved the pay that unrighteousness earns (2 Peter 2:15). God sovereignly uses even unregenerate instruments to accomplish His purpose and bless His people.
- Numbers 24:2 (BSB)“When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,”As Balaam looks at Israel camped by tribes, the Spirit of God comes on him and he speaks his oracle.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (BSB)“When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.”The Spirit of God also came on Saul so that he prophesied, though Saul later turned from the LORD.
- John 11:51 (BSB)“Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,”Caiaphas prophesied of Jesus' death without speaking on his own, showing God can speak through someone who opposes Him.
- Matthew 7:22-23 (BSB)“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”Jesus warns that some who prophesied in His name were never known by Him.
- 2 Peter 2:15 (BSB)“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”Peter says Balaam loved the wages of wickedness, so the Spirit's use of him was no mark of a changed heart.
General
What does Balaam say about the Kenites' dwelling place and their future (Numbers 24:21-22)?
Answer: It is set safe on a high rock, yet Asshur will take them captive
Balaam tells the Kenites that their home seems safe, like a bird's nest high in a cliff, but they will still be ruined when Asshur (Assyria) carries them away (24:21-22). Kain is another name for the Kenites. Some of the Kenites were relatives of Moses by marriage and lived among Israel (Judges 1:16), and later King Saul spared them because of their kindness to Israel (1 Samuel 15:6). The oracle teaches that no place is truly secure apart from God.
- Numbers 24:21-22 (BSB)“Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.””Balaam says the Kenites' dwelling is secure, set in a cliff, yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes them captive.
- Judges 1:16 (BSB)“Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.”The Kenites were descendants of Moses' father-in-law who went up with Judah into the land.
- 1 Samuel 15:6 (BSB)“And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.”Saul warns the Kenites to leave the Amalekites because they had shown kindness to Israel.
Theological
What contrast does Balaam draw concerning the Kenites in Numbers 24:21-22?
Answer: A secure nest on a high rock, yet captivity under Asshur
The Kenites' dwelling seems impregnable, a nest set in the rock, but Kain will be wasted when Asshur takes them captive (24:21-22). The Kenites were related to Israel by marriage to Moses' family and settled with Judah (Judges 1:16), and Saul later spared them for their kindness to Israel (1 Samuel 15:6). The oracle's point is that natural strongholds give no ultimate security; the destinies of nations lie in God's hand.
- Numbers 24:21-22 (BSB)“Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.””Balaam says the Kenites' dwelling is secure, set in a cliff, yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes them captive.
- Judges 1:16 (BSB)“Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.”The Kenites were descendants of Moses' father-in-law who went up with Judah into the land.
- 1 Samuel 15:6 (BSB)“And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.”Saul warns the Kenites to leave the Amalekites because they had shown kindness to Israel.