Numbers 24:15
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
And he took up
H5375
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
And he took up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 11
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מְשָׁל֖וֹ
his parable
H4912
מְשָׁל֖וֹ
his parable
Strong's:
H4912
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
בְּנ֣וֹ
the son
H1121
בְּנ֣וֹ
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְעֹ֔ר
of Beor
H1160
בְעֹ֔ר
of Beor
Strong's:
H1160
Word #:
7 of 11
beor, the name of the father of an edomitish king; also of that of balaam
Historical Context
The fourth oracle (vv.15-24) contains the famous Messianic prophecy 'there shall come a Star out of Jacob' (v.17), pointing to Christ. Even Balaam's attempt to profit from prophecy couldn't prevent God from revealing His redemptive purposes through him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God accomplish His purposes even through flawed human instruments?
- What does God using Balaam to prophesy Christ teach about His sovereignty over revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam's fourth oracle begins identically to the third: 'Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said.' This repetition establishes continuity and emphasizes prophetic authority. The fourth oracle, however, reaches beyond Israel's immediate future to predict the Messiah, showing how God used even a corrupt prophet to prophesy Christ's coming.