Numbers 24:17

Authorized King James Version

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, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶרְאֶ֙נּוּ֙
H7200
I shall see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
עַתָּ֔ה
H6258
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#4
אֲשׁוּרֶ֖נּוּ
H7789
him but not now I shall behold
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
#5
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
קָר֑וֹב
H7138
him but not nigh
near (in place, kindred or time)
#7
דָּרַ֨ךְ
H1869
there shall come
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#8
כּוֹכָ֜ב
H3556
a Star
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
#9
מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֗ב
H3290
out of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#10
וְקָ֥ם
H6965
shall rise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#11
שֵׁ֙בֶט֙
H7626
and a Sceptre
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#12
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
out of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
וּמָחַץ֙
H4272
and shall smite
to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or destroy
#14
פַּֽאֲתֵ֣י
H6285
the corners
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
#15
מוֹאָ֔ב
H4124
of Moab
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#16
וְקַרְקַ֖ר
H6979
and destroy
to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)
#17
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
בְּנֵי
H1121
all the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
שֵֽׁת׃
H8351
tumult

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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