Numbers 24:20

Balaam Looks On and Prophesies Concerning Wandering Amalek (Numbers 24:20).

As we come to this final prophecy we should note that it is specifically stated that Balaam ‘looked on' Amalek and the Kenite. Exactly the same expression is used in verse 2 of him ‘looking on Israel' (translated ‘saw'). The verb is also used three times in Numbers 23:13 where again ‘looking on' Israel was preparatory to an oracle concerning them. And in fact this ‘looking on' Israel was clearly considered an important part of the process. This would therefore seem to suggest that the Amalekites and Kenites were near enough to be ‘looked on' for the same purpose (why else introduce the verb which is otherwise redundant). In view of the presence of the Midianites who were often linked with the Amalekites (see Judges 6:3; Judges 6:33 in the light of the whole of Numbers 6 where ‘Midian' regularly signifies the threefold combination of Midian, Amalek and the children of the East) we may probably see that they were present with the Midianites in their association with Moab. The same is probably therefore also true of the Kenites.

Numbers 24:20 a

‘And he looked on Amalek, and took up his oracle, and said,'

This may signify elders of Amalek who were standing by, or an encampment of them in Moab.

Numbers 24:20 b

“Amalek was the first of the nations;

And his latter end shall come to destruction.”

This probably refers to the fact that Amalek was the first of all the nations to attack Israel when they had left Egypt seeking safety (Exodus 17:8; Deuteronomy 25:17, compare also Numbers 14:43; Judges 6:3; Judges 6:33). It was seen by God as a particularly heinous offence for as a result of it we are told, ‘Yahweh has sworn, Yahweh will have war with Amalek from generation to generation' (Exodus 17:16; compare Deuteronomy 25:19; 1 Samuel 15:2). Thus Amalek of all nations would finally be destroyed.

Some, however, see it as signifying their ancient background. They are possibly the Meluhha mentioned in 3rd millennium BC inscriptions. But the Biblical view was that they were descended from Esau (Genesis 36:12). This latter fact would explain why their offence was seen as so heinous. Like Edom they were a brother tribe to Israel. (However, as with Edom and Moab and many nations their descent would be a complicated affair, some being descended from Esau, and others being from sub-tribes who had united with these descendants).