Numbers 24

The Prophecy from Peor

1 Numbers 24:1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness.

2 Numbers 24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 Numbers 24:3 He took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;

4 Numbers 24:4 The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,

5 Numbers 24:5 How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!

6 Numbers 24:6 “Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD, Like cedars beside the waters.

7 Numbers 24:7 “Water will flow from his buckets, And his seed will be by many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 Numbers 24:8 “God brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries, And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows.

9 Numbers 24:9 “He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.”

10 Numbers 24:10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!

11 Numbers 24:11 “Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor.”

12 Numbers 24:12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,

13 Numbers 24:13 ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’?

14 Numbers 24:14 “And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

15 Numbers 24:15 He took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

16 Numbers 24:16 The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.

17 Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

18 Numbers 24:18 “Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly.

19 Numbers 24:19 “One from Jacob shall have dominion, And will destroy the remnant from the city.”

20 Numbers 24:20 And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction.”

21 Numbers 24:21 And he looked at the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Your dwelling place is enduring, And your nest is set in the cliff.

22 Numbers 24:22 “Nevertheless Kain will be consumed; How long will Asshur keep you captive?”

23 Numbers 24:23 Then he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?

24 Numbers 24:24 “But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction.”

25 Numbers 24:25 Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.