Bright Morning Star

Numberschapter 24

25 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 260 cross-references outward and receives 237 — heaviest partner: Numbers.

Chapter summary

Balaam's third and fourth oracles. No enchantments now — the Spirit of God comes upon him. ‘How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!’ (24:5). Balak's anger rises; Balaam refuses bribe and land. Then the fourth oracle, looking beyond: ‘I 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’ (24:17) — a messianic oracle heard by the Magi centuries later. Further oracles against Moab, Amalek, the Kenites, Ashur, Eber, Chittim. Calvin reads the chapter as the mystery that God can put prophetic truth in the mouth of a reluctant prophet.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Numbers overview for the book's full setting.

17–25 Bright Morning Star

1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

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

3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith;

4 He saith, who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:

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

6 As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by the river-side, As lign-aloes which Jehovah hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters.

7 Water shall flow from his buckets, And his seed shall be in many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 God bringeth him forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox: He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, And shall break their bones in pieces, And smite them through with his arrows.