Numbers 24:14

The Prophecies of Balaam (Numbers 24:14).

Balaam then told Balak that he would be returning to his people. This may signify his fellow soothsayers, living together as a people. Or it may simply mean he was returning to the Amavites. However, before doing so, being in prophetic mode, he offered him a prophecy for free. In view of Balak's attitude it no doubt gave him great satisfaction, for in it he foresees the defeat of Moab.

Analysis.

a Balaam says he will return home after prophesying (Numbers 24:14)

b Balaam prophesies concerning Israel (Numbers 24:13)

c Balaam looks at and prophesies concerning wandering Amalek (Numbers 24:20)

c Balaam looks at and prophesies concerning the wandering Kenites (Numbers 24:21)

b Balaam prophesies concerning Eber (Israel and their fellow Semites) (Numbers 24:23)

a Balaam returns home (Numbers 24:25).

Numbers 24:14

“ And now, behold, I go to my people. Come, and I will advertise you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam then declared that he was returning to his people, but was meanwhile in such constraint in spirit that he had to give another prophetic declaration concerning the distant future of ‘this people', the Israelites.