Bible Commentaries
Numbers 24

Verse 1

pleased the LORD. Hebrew was good in the eyes of Jehovah.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

other times. Compare Numbers 23:3 , Numbers 23:15 , and see Structure (p. 215).

to seek for enchantments = to meet with familiar spirits (Deuteronomy 18:10 , Deuteronomy 18:14 ). Hebrew. nechashim, from nachash, a serpent. Compare Genesis 3:1 , and see App-19 .

Verse 2

according to their tribes. Compare Numbers 2:0 .

the spirit of God (Hebrew. 'Elohim) . This expression occurs eight times outside the books of Samuel (Genesis 1:2 ; Genesis 41:38 . Exodus 31:3 ; Exodus 35:31 .Exodus 24:2 .Ezekiel 11:24 . 2 Chronicles 15:1 ; 2 Chronicles 24:20 ). In all other places it is "the spirit of Jehovah".

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

upon. Always "upon "(not "in ") in Old Testament.

Verse 3

And he took up his parable. Compare Numbers 23:7 , Numbers 23:18 .

the man = the strong or mighty man. Hebrew. geber. See App-14 .

whose eyes are. Hebrew "whose eye is".

open. Hebrew. shatham, to close, i.e. "the man with closed eye", i.e. in an ecstasy; closed, but seeing.

Verse 4

of. Genitive of origin = words from God.

GOD = the mighty God. Hebrew. 'El. App-4 .

falling into a trance. The Ellipsis better supplied - "falling [to the ground]".

Verse 5

How goodly. Figure of speech Thaumasmos. App-6 . This is only in "the vision of the Almighty".

Jacob. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), put for posterity ( App-6 ).

And. This not to be in italics, according to some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Syriac, and Vulgate.

Israel. See note on "Jacob", Numbers 24:5 .

Verse 6

As the trees of lign aloes, &c. Some codices, with The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, read "as tents which Jehovah hath pitched".

Verse 7

pour the water. This refers to Millennial blessings. See Ezekiel 4:0 7 and Zechariah 14:0 .

Verse 8

him. Some codices, with Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Syriac, read "them". Compare Numbers 23:22 .

unicorn. See note on Numbers 23:22 .

Verse 9

He couched, &c. Compare Genesis 49:9 .

cursed . . . curseth. Hebrew. 'arar, execrate, chiefly as to its effect. See notes on Numbers 22:11 ; Numbers 23:8 .

Verse 10

Balak's anger. See note on Exodus 10:28 .

curse = to pierce with words. Hebrew. kabab. See note on Numbers 22:11 .

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

altogether blessed. Hebrew "a blessing thou hast blessed". Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . See note on Genesis 26:28 .

Verse 11

promote thee unto great honour. See note on Numbers 22:17 , Numbers 22:37 .

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 14

the latter days = the end of the days, denoting a definite period. Compare Genesis 49:1 .Deuteronomy 4:30 . Isaiah 2:2 .Jeremiah 23:20 ; Jeremiah 30:24 ; Jeremiah 48:47 ; Jeremiah 49:39 . Ezekiel 38:16 . Daniel 10:14 .Hosea 3:5 .Micah 4:1 .

Verse 16

Most High. Hebrew. Elyon, the High One over all the earth. See note on first occurrence, Genesis 14:18 . The Old Testament usage of this title is always in connection with dominion in the earth. App-4 .

Verse 17

but not. Hebrew Who is not.

Star. Hebrew. kokab = Messiah. See Luk 1:78 . 2 Peter 1:19 . Revelation 2:28 ; Revelation 22:16 , and compare Matthew 2:2 . Sceptre. See note on Genesis 49:10 , and compare Psalms 2:0 .

corners = quarters.

destroy = subdue.

Sheth = Seth, i.e. all men, for all are now descendants of Sheth through Noah.

Verse 19

Out of Jacob. In Hebrew there is the Ellipsis of the Participle ( App-6 ); "shall come "is implied and should be repeated from the previous clause. Revised Version is literal.

Verse 20

the first: i.e. the first that warred against Israel. Exodus 17:8 . Not the first in time or importance. shall be, &c. = "[shall be] destruction". Compare Exodus 17:16 .

Verse 21

Kenites. With the word "nest" forms the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. ben kain.

nest. Hebrew. ken.

Verse 23

took up. This is not a fifth parable, but part of the fourth.

live = survive.

Verse 24

Chittim. A son of Javan, son of Japheth. Genesis 10:4 . Probably Cyprus, including north coast-line of Mediterranean, spelled Kittim in Genesis 10:4 and 1 Chronicles 1:7 .

afflict = humble.

Asshur = Assyrians.

Eber = the Hebrews.

he also: i.e. who sends the ships and humbled Asshur and Heber.