Numbers 24

1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.footnote a

2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:footnote b

4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

10And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.

11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.footnote c

18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.footnote dfootnote e

21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.footnote ffootnote g

23And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

24And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

25And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

Balaam’s Third Oracle

1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, 3and he lifted up an oracle, saying:“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,who sees a vision from the Almighty,footnote awho bows down with eyes wide open: 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,your dwellings, O Israel! 6They spread out like palm groves,footnote blike gardens beside a stream,like aloes the LORD has planted,like cedars beside the waters. 7Water will flow from his buckets,and his seed will have abundant water.His king will be greater than Agag,and his kingdom will be exalted. 8God brought him out of Egyptwith strength like a wild ox,to devour hostile nations and crush their bones,to pierce them with arrows. 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion,like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?Blessed are those who bless youand cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me 13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says. 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying,“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, 16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,who has knowledge from the Most High,who sees a vision from the Almighty,who bows down with eyes wide open: 17I see him, but not now;I behold him, but not near.A star will come forth from Jacob,and a scepter will arise from Israel.He will crush the skullsfootnote cof Moaband strike down all the sons of Sheth. 18Edom will become a possession,as will Seir, his enemy;but Israel will perform with valor. 19A ruler will come from Jacoband destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:“Amalek was first among the nations,but his end is destruction.”

21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying:“Your dwelling place is secure,and your nest is set in a cliff. 22Yet Kain will be destroyedwhen Asshurfootnote dtakes you captive.” 23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:“Ah, who can liveunless God has ordained it? 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;footnote ethey will subdue Asshur and Eber,but they too will perish forever.”

25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.