Numbers 24
Authorized King James Version (1769) with AI Commentary
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:🔗🔍
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.🔗🔍
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.🔗🔍
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.🔗🔍
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.🔗🔍
AI Commentary on Numbers 24
Chapter Overview
Numbers 24 is a mixed narrative and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, grace, holiness. Written during Israel's wilderness period (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The wilderness journey occurred between Egypt's dominance and the Canaanite tribal systems.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Numbers and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
Cross References:
- John 1:1 Related theological concept - Related theological concept
- Romans 8:28 God's sovereign purpose - God's sovereign purpose
- In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
- How might the original audience's understanding of kingdom differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding kingdom of God as presented in this verse, particularly in light of providing hope in times of political and social upheaval?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
- In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- How might the original audience's understanding of covenant community differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
- In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
Cross References:
- John 1:1 Related theological concept - Related theological concept
- Romans 8:28 God's sovereign purpose - God's sovereign purpose
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from earthly theocracy through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
Cross References:
- Romans 10:9 Confession and faith for salvation - Confession and faith for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation by grace through faith - Salvation by grace through faith
- How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
- How does this verse's literary context within Numbers chapter 24 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
- What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
📖 Scofield Commentary
📖 Scofield Reference Commentary
Click any verse number to view detailed commentary, cross-references, and theological notes.
Try clicking verse 1, 3, or 26 to see comprehensive annotations!
🤖 AI Commentary
Explore verse-by-verse analysis with historical context, theological insights, and cross-references for Numbers 24 from the Authorized King James Version (KJV).