NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:1 The mention of the Spirit of God
empowering Balaam (v. Numbers 24:2) shows the validity of Balaam’s
third blessing. Balaam describes himself as THE MAN... WHO HEARS THE
WORDS OF GOD.
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:5 This picture of Israel’s future
success in Canaan uses imagery from the garden of Eden (see Genesis
2:9).
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:7 WATER SHALL FLOW FROM HIS BUCKETS. This
continues the image of well-watered gardens. HIS SEED SHALL BE IN MANY
WATERS. This may refer to the fertility of the land, or to the growth
of Israel’s population. HIS KING SHALL BE HIGHER THAN AGAG seems to
be a prediction of Sau... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:9 Balak, by demanding a curse on Israel,
will himself be CURSED (see v. Numbers 24:17).
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:15 An ORACLE was a prophet’s verbal
statement about what God had shown him in a vision. Balaam’s final
oracle begins like the previous one (compare vv. Numbers 24:3 with vv.
Numbers 24:15). But it rapidly becomes a prophecy about the rise of
the Davidic dynasty, which conq... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:17 STAR... SCEPTER. Symbols of kingship
(see Genesis 49:10). SONS OF SHETH. Probably nomads living in Canaan.
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:18 SEIR is another name for Edom.
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:19 This prophecy ends with another
prediction of Moab being ruled by the Davidic dynasty.
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:20 Balaam adds three short oracles
against the nations: Israel’s future will be secure, as other
nations are destroyed.
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:21 The next oracle predicts the defeat of
the Kenites by ASSHUR. The Kenites were on good terms with Israel (see
Judges 1:16). Asshur is probably a tribe that lived in northern Sinai
(Genesis 25:3; 2 Samuel 2:9).
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NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:23 These verses are difficult to
interpret. It appears that Balaam predicts the Philistines (KITTIM)
arriving on the coasts of Canaan. This happened in the twelfth century
B.C. They defeated ASSHUR AND EBER before they themselves came TO
UTTER DESTRUCTION at the hands of D... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERS—NOTE ON NUMBERS 24:25 THEN BALAAM ROSE AND WENT BACK TO HIS
PLACE. This is not the end of the story of Balaam. Later he advised
Balak to send women to seduce Israel and lead them away from God
(Numbers 31:16; compare Revelation 2:14).
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