Numbers 24

This is the final chapter of the Balaam narrative that begins in Numbers 22. Balaam, who blessed Israel twice in Numbers 23, delivers his third and fourth oracles in this chapter and then departs. The narrative then moves on to the incident at Baal-peor in Numbers 25.

Outline

• Verses 1–2: Balaam no longer resorts to enchantments (divination) as he had before, but sets his face toward the wilderness. As he looks upon Israel encamped according to their tribes, the Spirit of God comes upon him.
• Verses 3–9: The third oracle. Balaam likens the tents of Jacob to valleys and to gardens by the riverside and declares that Israel's king shall be higher than Agag. He speaks of strength like that of the wild ox and the lion, and concludes, "Blessed is he that blesseth thee."
• Verses 10–14: Balak, enraged, smites his hands together and tells Balaam to go home, since he has now blessed Israel three times. Balaam reminds him that he had said he would speak only what the LORD commanded, even if Balak were to give him his house full of silver and gold. He then offers to tell Balak what this people will do to Moab in the latter days.
• Verses 15–19: The fourth oracle. In the distant future a star and a scepter (a royal staff) will arise out of Jacob and smite Moab, and Edom and Seir will become Israel's possession.
• Verses 20–24: Oracles announcing the destruction of Amalek, the captivity of the Kenites by Assyria, and ships from Kittim that will afflict Asshur and Eber, though they too will perish.
• Verse 25: Balaam and Balak each go their own way.

Key Verses

• Numbers 24:17 "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel" – the most frequently cited royal prophecy in the chapter.
• Numbers 24:9 "Blessed is he that blesseth thee" – an echo of the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12.
• Numbers 24:13 "What the LORD saith, that will I speak" – expressing the theme of the entire narrative: prophecy cannot be bought, not even with wealth.

People and Places

• Balaam: The son of Beor, a prophet summoned to curse Israel.
• Balak: The king of Moab, who summoned Balaam in order to have Israel cursed.
• Agag: The name of an Amalekite king; the same name appears in 1 Samuel 15.
• Kenites (Kain): Some translations render the name "Kain"; the New Korean Revised Version renders it "Kenites." In Judges 1:16 the descendants of Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, appear as Kenites.
• Kittim (KJV "Chittim"): A name referring to the region of the island of Cyprus. It was later understood more broadly as a designation for western powers across the sea.
• Other nations and lands: Moab, Edom (Seir is the name of Edom's hill country), Amalek, Assyria, Egypt

Points for Reflection

• Interpretations of the "star" and "scepter" in verse 17 differ. Some see the prophecy fulfilled in King David, who conquered Moab and Edom (2 Samuel 8); others see it as ultimately pointing to the Messiah. Many scholars hold both views together. In Jewish tradition as well, this verse was read as a messianic text. The second-century revolt leader Simon is said to have been called "Bar Kokhba" ("son of the star"), a name drawn from this verse.
• The lion imagery of verse 9 and the scepter of verse 17 resemble the language of the blessing of Judah in Genesis 49.
• Read on its own, this chapter makes Balaam appear to be a man faithful to God's word. However, Numbers 31:16 records that the Baal-peor incident arose from Balaam's counsel. The New Testament also remembers him negatively (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11, Revelation 2:14).
• In Christianity this star is sometimes associated with the star followed by the Magi or with Jesus' self-designation as "the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16). The New Testament, however, does not directly quote Numbers 24.

In the Korean Church

Verse 17 is often cited in sermons during Advent and Christmas, together with the story of the star of the Magi.