Numbers 24:17

In accordance with Numbers 24:14 Balaam treats of the future of Israel. -I see him (Israel), but not (as he is) now; I behold him, but not (encamped as he is) nigh."

There shall come forth lit. -there hath trodden" (דָּרַךְ). Read probably יִזְרַח there shall rise.

a star A metaphor for a glorious king; cf. Isaiah 14:12; Revelation 22:16. According to an early Jewish interpretation, found in the Targum, this verse was a prediction of the Messiah. The famous pretender in the reign of Hadrian was called Barcochba (-son of the star").

the corners better -the two sides [of the head]," the -temples." In Jeremiah 48:45, where the passage is quoted, the word -corner" is in the singular, and is in parallelism with -the crown of the head."

And break down all the sons of tumult In accordance with Jeremiah 48:45 קַרְקַר (-break down") must be read קָדְקֹד (-crown of the head"); cf. Psalms 7:16; Psalms 68:21.

sons of tumult Heb. -sons of shçth." R.V. (-tumult") adopts a necessary emendation (שְׁאֵת for שֵׁת) suggested by Jeremiah 48:45.

The two lines will therefore run:

And shall smite the temples [of the head] of Moab,

And the crown [of the head] of all the sons of tumult 1 [Note: Others would read -sons of lifting up," i.e. pride (שְׂאֵת)].