Numbers 24 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

Balaam Foretells the Happiness of Israel

Num 24:1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Num 24:2

Num 24:2And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

Num 24:3

Num 24:3Then he took up his oracle and said:

“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,

Num 24:4

Num 24:4The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

Num 24:5

Num 24:5“How lovely are your tents, O Jacob!
Your dwellings, O Israel!

Num 24:6

Num 24:6Like valleys that stretch out,
Like gardens by the riverside,
Like aloes planted by the LORD,
Like cedars beside the waters.

Num 24:7

Num 24:7He shall pour water from his buckets,
And his seed shall be in many waters.

“His king shall be higher than Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.

Num 24:8

Num 24:8“God brings him out of Egypt;
He has strength like a wild ox;
He shall consume the nations, his enemies;
He shall break their bones
And pierce them with his arrows.

Num 24:9

Num 24:9‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’[fn]

“Blessed is he who blesses you,
And cursed is he who curses you.”

Num 24:10

Num 24:10Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times!

Num 24:11

Num 24:11“Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor.”

Num 24:12

Num 24:12So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

Num 24:13

Num 24:13‘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 bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak’?

Num 24:14

Num 24:14“And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam’s Fourth Prophecy

Num 24:15

Num 24:15So he took up his oracle and said:

“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;

Num 24:16

Num 24:16The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
And has the knowledge of the Most High,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

Num 24:17

Num 24:17“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.[fn]

Num 24:18

Num 24:18“And Edom shall be a possession;
Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,
While Israel does valiantly.

Num 24:19

Num 24:19Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,
And destroy the remains of the city.”

Num 24:20

Num 24:20Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said:

“Amalek was first among the nations,
But shall be last until he perishes.”

Num 24:21

Num 24:21Then he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said:

“Firm is your dwelling place,
And your nest is set in the rock;

Num 24:22

Num 24:22Nevertheless Kain shall be burned.
How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”

Num 24:23

Num 24:23Then he took up his oracle and said:

“Alas! Who shall live when God does this?

Num 24:24

Num 24:24But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus,[fn]
And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber,
And so shall Amalek,[fn] until he perishes.”

Num 24:25

Num 24:25So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.

See the NKJV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NKJV Footnotes

(24:9)

Genesis 49:9

(24:17)

Hebrew Sheth (compare Jeremiah 48:45)

(24:24)

Hebrew Kittim

(24:24)

Literally he or that one

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