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Numbers 24:1-25 — Balaam's Third and Fourth Oracles

Num.24.1-25

¹When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the previous times, to seek omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. ²Then Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe, and the Spirit of God came upon him. ³He took up his oracle and said: "The declaration of Balaam son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eye is opened, ⁴the declaration of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, yet with eyes unveiled: ⁵How fair are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel! ⁶They spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. ⁷Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water; his king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. ⁸God brings him out of Egypt; he has the strength of a wild ox. He devours the nations that are his foes, crushes their bones, and shatters them with his arrows. ⁹He crouches and lies down like a lion, like a lioness; who will rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you." ¹⁰Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them these three times. ¹¹So now flee to your own place. I said I would greatly honor you, but behold, the LORD has kept you back from honor." ¹²Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell the messengers whom you sent to me, ¹³"Even 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 evil from my own heart. Whatever the LORD speaks, that I will speak. ¹⁴And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the days to come." ¹⁵Then he took up his oracle and said: "The declaration of Balaam son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eye is opened, ¹⁶the declaration of one who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, yet with eyes unveiled: ¹⁷I 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 brow of Moab and tear down all the sons of Sheth . ¹⁸Edom will become a possession; Seir also, his enemies, will become a possession, while Israel acts valiantly. ¹⁹One from Jacob will rule, and he will destroy the survivor from the city." ²⁰Then he saw Amalek and took up his oracle and said: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is utter destruction.” ²¹Then he saw the Kenite and took up his oracle and said: "Strong is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock; ²²yet Kain will be laid waste, until Asshur carries you away captive." ²³And he took up his oracle and said: “Alas, who can live when God does this?” ²⁴Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, and he too will come to destruction." ²⁵Then Balaam rose and went back toward his place , and Balak also went his way.

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4/11/2026

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