Bible Commentaries
Numbers 24

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 24:1, Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel; Numbers 24:10, Balak, in anger, dismisses him; Numbers 24:15, He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations.

Verse 1

saw: Numbers 22:13, Numbers 23:20, Numbers 31:16, 1 Samuel 24:20, 1 Samuel 26:2, 1 Samuel 26:25, Revelation 2:14

at other times: Numbers 23:3, Numbers 23:15

to seek for enchantments: Heb. to the meeting of enchantments, Numbers 23:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:37 - Moabites Genesis 31:21 - set his Numbers 3:17 - Gershon Numbers 23:16 - General Joshua 13:22 - Balaam Isaiah 19:25 - the Lord

Verse 2

abiding: Numbers 24:5, Numbers 2:2-34, Numbers 23:9, Numbers 23:10, Song of Solomon 6:4, Song of Solomon 6:10

the spirit: Numbers 11:25-29, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 19:20, 1 Samuel 19:23, 2 Chronicles 15:1, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 10:4, Matthew 10:8, Luke 10:20, John 11:49-51

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:42 - General Numbers 1:52 - General Numbers 2:34 - so they Numbers 23:7 - parable 1 Kings 13:11 - an old prophet 2 Chronicles 20:14 - came the Spirit Daniel 8:3 - I lifted John 11:51 - he prophesied

Verse 3

he took up: Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:18

whose eyes are open hath said: Heb. who had his eyes shut, but now opened, Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16, Numbers 22:31

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:15 - General Job 27:1 - Job Micah 2:4 - shall 1 Corinthians 14:37 - any Hebrews 6:4 - were once

Verse 4

saw: Numbers 12:6, Genesis 15:12, Psalms 89:19, Daniel 8:26, Daniel 8:27, Acts 10:10, Acts 10:19, Acts 22:17, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4

falling: Numbers 22:31, 1 Samuel 19:24, Ezekiel 1:28, Daniel 8:17, Daniel 8:18, Daniel 10:15, Daniel 10:16, Revelation 1:10, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:2 - in the visions Numbers 10:28 - according Numbers 24:3 - whose eyes are open hath said Numbers 24:15 - General Numbers 24:16 - General 1 Samuel 9:19 - the seer 1 Kings 13:20 - the word of the Lord Isaiah 1:1 - vision Matthew 7:22 - have we 1 Corinthians 14:37 - any Revelation 1:8 - the Almighty

Verse 5

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:21 - tabernacle of testimony Leviticus 23:42 - General Numbers 2:34 - so they Numbers 10:28 - according Numbers 24:2 - abiding Deuteronomy 33:29 - Happy Joshua 24:10 - General Nehemiah 13:2 - our God Song of Solomon 4:7 - General Song of Solomon 6:4 - terrible Malachi 2:12 - out

Verse 6

as gardens: Genesis 2:8-10, Genesis 13:10, Song of Solomon 4:12-15, Song of Solomon 6:11, Isaiah 58:11, Jeremiah 31:12, Joel 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. Psalms 1:3, Jeremiah 17:18

which the: Psalms 104:16, Isaiah 41:19

as cedar: Psalms 92:12-14, Ezekiel 31:3, Ezekiel 31:4, Ezekiel 47:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 2:34 - so they 1 Kings 4:33 - the cedar tree Song of Solomon 4:14 - trees Ezekiel 19:10 - she was

Verse 7

pour: Psalms 68:26, Proverbs 5:16-18, Isaiah 48:1

many waters: Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Jeremiah 51:13, Revelation 17:1, Revelation 17:15

his king: Ezra 4:20, Psalms 2:6-10, Psalms 18:43, John 1:49, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Revelation 19:16

Agag: 1 Samuel 15:8, 1 Samuel 15:9, 1 Samuel 15:32, 1 Samuel 15:33

his kingdom: 2 Samuel 5:12, 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Chronicles 14:2, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 2:44, Revelation 11:15

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:49 - thou also 2 Kings 1:1 - Moab Esther 3:1 - Agagite Psalms 89:27 - higher Ezekiel 19:10 - she was Ezekiel 19:11 - she had

Verse 8

God: Numbers 21:5, Numbers 23:22

shall eat: Numbers 14:9, Numbers 23:24, Deuteronomy 7:1

break: Psalms 2:9, Isaiah 38:13, Jeremiah 50:17, Daniel 6:24

pierce: Deuteronomy 32:23, Deuteronomy 32:42, Psalms 21:12, Psalms 45:5, Jeremiah 50:9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:17 - his horns 2 Samuel 17:10 - heart Psalms 18:14 - Yea Psalms 92:10 - an unicorn Isaiah 31:4 - Like as Isaiah 34:7 - unicorns Matthew 2:15 - Out Acts 5:13 - of

Verse 9

couched: Genesis 49:9, Job 38:39, Job 38:40

who shall: Numbers 23:24, Job 41:10, Psalms 2:12

Blessed: Genesis 12:3, Genesis 27:29, Psalms 122:6, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 25:45, Acts 9:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Exodus 23:22 - an enemy Numbers 22:6 - curse me Deuteronomy 23:5 - Nevertheless 1 Samuel 26:25 - Blessed 2 Samuel 17:10 - heart 1 Kings 10:20 - lions 2 Chronicles 9:18 - two lions Job 4:11 - old lion Isaiah 5:29 - roaring Isaiah 31:4 - Like as Ezekiel 32:2 - Thou art like Revelation 4:7 - the first beast Revelation 5:5 - the Lion

Verse 10

he smote: Job 27:23, Ezekiel 21:14, Ezekiel 21:17, Ezekiel 22:13

I called: Numbers 22:6, Numbers 22:11, Numbers 22:17, Numbers 23:11, Deuteronomy 23:4, Deuteronomy 23:5, Joshua 24:9, Joshua 24:10, Nehemiah 13:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Judges 7:14 - his fellow 1 Samuel 26:25 - Blessed Ezekiel 6:11 - Smite Matthew 2:16 - when Acts 11:10 - three

Verse 11

I thought: Numbers 22:17, Numbers 22:37

the Lord: Matthew 19:28-30, Acts 8:20, Philippians 3:8, Hebrews 11:24-26, 1 Peter 5:2, 1 Peter 5:3, 2 John 1:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:25 - General 2 Kings 5:5 - and took Daniel 2:6 - ye shall Daniel 2:48 - a great Daniel 5:7 - be clothed

Verse 12

Numbers 22:18, Numbers 22:38

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:26 - General

Verse 13

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:24 - Take heed Numbers 16:28 - of mine Numbers 22:18 - If Balak Numbers 22:20 - but yet Numbers 22:38 - the word Numbers 23:12 - General Numbers 23:26 - General 1 Kings 13:8 - If 1 Kings 22:14 - what the Lord 1 Kings 22:23 - and the Lord 2 Kings 10:16 - Come with me 2 Chronicles 18:13 - even what my God Jeremiah 38:21 - this is

Verse 14

I will advertise: Numbers 24:17, Numbers 31:7-18, Micah 6:5, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:14

the latter: Genesis 49:1, Isaiah 24:22, Jeremiah 48:47, Jeremiah 49:39, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 10:14, Hosea 3:5, Acts 2:17, 2 Timothy 3:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:16 - these caused Deuteronomy 2:4 - they shall Deuteronomy 30:7 - General Isaiah 2:2 - in the last Isaiah 30:8 - the time to come Jeremiah 30:24 - in Ezekiel 38:8 - many days John 11:51 - he prophesied 1 Timothy 4:1 - the latter Hebrews 1:2 - these

Verse 15

Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:4, Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:18, Job 27:1, Matthew 13:35

Reciprocal: Proverbs 18:2 - but Micah 2:4 - shall 1 Corinthians 13:2 - I have the Hebrews 6:4 - were once

Verse 16

Numbers 24:4, 2 Samuel 23:1, 2 Samuel 23:2, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 13:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:31 - opened Numbers 24:3 - whose eyes are open hath said Deuteronomy 32:8 - Most 1 Samuel 9:19 - the seer 1 Kings 13:20 - the word of the Lord Proverbs 18:2 - but Isaiah 1:1 - vision Acts 10:10 - he fell 1 Corinthians 14:37 - any Titus 1:16 - profess Hebrews 6:4 - were once

Verse 17

I shall see him: The Targum of Onkelos translates this passage in the following manner: "I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but he is not near. When a king shall arise from the house of Jacob, and the Messiah be anointed from the house of Israel; he shall slay the princes of Moab, and rule over all the children of men." The marginal references will direct the reader to the fulfilment of these remarkable prophecies. Job 19:25-27, Zechariah 12:10, Jude 1:11, Jude 1:14, Jude 1:15, Revelation 1:7

a Star: Matthew 2:2-9, Luke 1:78, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16

a Sceptre: Genesis 49:10, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 78:70-72, Psalms 110:2, Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33, Hebrews 1:8

smite the corners of Moab: or, smite through the princes of Moab, 1 Samuel 14:38, *marg. Zechariah 10:4

Moab: 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Kings 3:5, 2 Kings 3:26, 2 Kings 3:27, 1 Chronicles 18:2, Jeremiah 48:45

all the children: Genesis 4:25, Genesis 4:26, Genesis 5:3-29

Sheth: Psalms 72:8-11, Revelation 11:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:17 - thy seed Genesis 36:31 - the kings Numbers 22:4 - Now shall Numbers 23:24 - he shall Numbers 24:14 - I will advertise 2 Samuel 22:49 - thou also 2 Kings 3:19 - And ye 1 Chronicles 1:43 - the kings Job 19:27 - I shall Psalms 18:37 - General Isaiah 11:14 - them of the east Isaiah 16:12 - when Isaiah 19:13 - stay Isaiah 25:10 - Moab Isaiah 46:10 - the end Jeremiah 48:1 - Moab Jeremiah 49:7 - Edom Ezekiel 19:11 - she had Ezekiel 25:8 - Moab Amos 2:3 - General Amos 9:12 - Edom Matthew 11:3 - Art John 5:46 - for Hebrews 11:13 - but

Verse 18

Genesis 27:29, Genesis 27:40, 2 Samuel 8:14, Psalms 60:1, *title Psalms 60:8-12, Isaiah 34:5, Isaiah 63:1, Amos 9:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 36:12 - Amalek Genesis 36:31 - the kings Deuteronomy 28:13 - the head 1 Kings 11:15 - after he had 1 Chronicles 18:13 - all the Edomites Psalms 60:12 - we shall Isaiah 21:11 - me out Jeremiah 49:7 - Edom Obadiah 1:2 - General Obadiah 1:19 - the south John 5:46 - for

Verse 19

Of Jacob: Genesis 49:10, Psalms 2:1-12, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 72:11, Isaiah 11:10, Micah 5:2, Micah 5:4, Matthew 28:18, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20-22, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Hebrews 1:8, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 19:16

shall destroy: Psalms 21:7-10, Matthew 25:46, Luke 19:12, Luke 19:27

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:13 - the head 1 Kings 11:15 - after he had Psalms 60:12 - we shall Ezekiel 21:27 - until Obadiah 1:19 - the south Micah 4:8 - the first Matthew 2:6 - a Governor Matthew 21:5 - thy King

Verse 20

the first of the nations: or, the first of the nations that warred against Israel, Exodus 17:8, Exodus 17:16

his latter end: Judges 6:3, 1 Samuel 14:48, 1 Samuel 15:3-8, 1 Samuel 27:8, 1 Samuel 27:9, 1 Samuel 30:1, 1 Samuel 30:17, 1 Chronicles 4:43, Esther 3:1, Esther 7:9, Esther 7:10, Esther 9:14

shall be that he perish for ever: or, shall be even to destruction, Exodus 17:14, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:7 - Amalekites Numbers 13:29 - Amalekites Deuteronomy 4:30 - in the latter Deuteronomy 25:17 - General 1 Samuel 15:2 - Amalek 2 Samuel 1:8 - an Amalekite 2 Peter 2:20 - the latter

Verse 21

the Kenites: Genesis 15:19, Judges 1:16, Job 29:18

Reciprocal: Judges 4:11 - Heber 1 Samuel 15:6 - the Kenites 1 Samuel 27:10 - Kenites Jeremiah 22:23 - makest

Verse 22

the Kenite: Heb. Kain, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. or, how long shall it be ere Asshur carry thee away captive? Genesis 10:11, Ezra 4:2, Psalms 83:8, Hosea 14:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:19 - Kenites Judges 1:16 - the Kenite 1 Samuel 15:6 - the Kenites 1 Chronicles 1:17 - Asshur Ezekiel 27:23 - Asshur

Verse 23

when God: Numbers 23:23, 2 Kings 5:1, Malachi 3:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:7 - he took Joel 2:11 - who Acts 15:17 - who

Verse 24

Chittim: Genesis 10:4, Isaiah 23:1, Daniel 7:19, Daniel 7:20, Daniel 8:5-8, Daniel 8:21, Daniel 10:20, Daniel 11:30

and shall afflict Eber: Genesis 10:21-25, Genesis 14:13, Daniel 9:26, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, Luke 20:24, Luke 23:29-31, John 11:48

and he also: Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:45, Daniel 7:23-26, Daniel 11:45, Revelation 18:2-24

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:11 - Asshur Genesis 11:16 - Eber Deuteronomy 28:49 - bring a nation 1 Chronicles 1:7 - Kittim 1 Chronicles 1:19 - Eber Isaiah 23:12 - pass Jeremiah 2:10 - the isles Ezekiel 27:6 - the isles Ezekiel 32:22 - General Daniel 8:23 - in the

Verse 25

Numbers 24:11, Numbers 31:8, Joshua 13:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:55 - returned 2 Samuel 19:39 - returned