Numbers 23:9

The people shall dwell alone, etc.] rather, 'Behold a people that dwelleth alone and is not reckoned among the nations!' Balaam singles out what was, and is still, a distinguishing characteristic of the Hebrew people, viz. their separateness from other nations. They were chosen of God in Abraham their ancestor, and throughout the long course of their history have been distinguished from other nations, both by their religion and manner of life. To this day, though they have no country, they are still a separate nation: see Exodus 19:5; Exodus 33:16; Leviticus 20:24; Leviticus 20:26, and frequently in the prophets, e.g. Isaiah 43:21; Amos 3:2.