Numbers 24:5

5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and the places where you live, Israel.

Numbers 24:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:5

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob
Not that the matter of which they were made was so rich, or their structure so admirable, but the order in which they were placed was so beautiful and agreeable:

and thy tabernacles, O Israel;
which is the same thing in other words, and which may be applied figuratively to the church of God, which often goes by the names of Jacob and Israel; and agrees with particular congregations and assemblies of saints, where they dwell as in tents in a movable state, like pilgrims and sojourners; and which are the dwelling places of Father, Son, and Spirit, and of the people of God with one another; and are goodly, pleasant, and delightful, because of the presence of God with them, and on account of the provisions there made for them, and the company they there enjoy; see ( Psalms 84:1 Psalms 84:4 Psalms 84:10 ) .

Numbers 24:5 In-Context

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.

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:

5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, and the places where you live, Israel.

6 Your tents spread out like rivers, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars by the water.

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.