Numbers 24:5-9

5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!

6 “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.

7 Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.

8 “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them.

9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”

Numbers 24:5-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 24

In this chapter we are told, that Balaam leaving his enchantments, the Spirit of God came on him, and he spake of the happiness of Israel, and prophesied of their future greatness and glory, Nu 24:1-9 which so exasperated Balak, that he ordered him at once to depart from him, Nu 24:10,11. Balaam justified himself in what he said and did, and suggested that before they parted, he had something to say in a prophetic manner, concerning what Israel should do to Moab in "future" times, Nu 24:12-14 and then prophesies concerning the Messiah, and the destruction of Moab, and of some neighbouring nations, and even of some at a greater distance, as the Assyrians and Romans, Nu 24:15-25.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 4:20; Jeremiah 30:18; Malachi 2:12
• 2. S Genesis 2:10
• 3. Psalms 45:8; Song of Songs 4:14
• 4. Job 29:19; Psalms 1:3; Psalms 104:16; Ezekiel 31:5
• 5. S Exodus 17:8-16; 2 Samuel 15:8
• 6. Deuteronomy 28:1; 2 Samuel 5:12; 1 Chronicles 14:2; Psalms 89:27; Psalms 145:11-13
• 7. S Exodus 15:6; Psalms 2:9; Jer 50: 17
• 8. 2 Samuel 18:14; Psalms 45:5
• 9. Genesis 49:9; S Numbers 23:24
• 10. S Genesis 12:2
• 11. S Genesis 12:3