Numbers Chapter 24 · Verse 20
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּרְא֙
And when he looked
H7200
וַיַּרְא֙
And when he looked
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
Amalek
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
Amalek
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
3 of 12
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
he took up
H5375
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
he took up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 12
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 #:
5 of 12
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
רֵאשִׁ֤ית
was the first
H7225
רֵאשִׁ֤ית
was the first
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
7 of 12
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
גּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
H1471
גּוֹיִם֙
of the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
8 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
Amalek
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
Amalek
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
9 of 12
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
וְאַֽחֲרִית֖וֹ
but his latter
H319
וְאַֽחֲרִית֖וֹ
but his latter
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
10 of 12
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
Historical Context
Amalek descended from Esau's grandson (Genesis 36:12) and attacked Israel's vulnerable rear guard at Rephidim (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Their cowardly assault on weak and elderly Israelites earned divine decree of total extermination, making Balaam's prophecy confirmation of earlier judgment pronouncements.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Amalek's identity as 'first of nations' (chronologically first enemy, not greatest power) illustrate that opposition's timing matters less than its ultimate outcome?
- What does Saul's failure to completely destroy Amalek (keeping Agag alive) teach about partial obedience in spiritual warfare?
- How does Amalek's prophesied 'perishing forever' encourage believers facing persistent spiritual opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
And 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—Balaam's oracle (מָשָׁל mashal, proverb/prophecy) against Amalek declares their status as first of the nations (רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם reshit goyim)—chronologically Israel's first enemy (Exodus 17:8-16), not greatest. The prophetic latter end (אַחֲרִיתוֹ acharito) promises complete destruction (עֲדֵי אֹבֵד adei oved, 'unto perishing').
This judgment fulfilled God's decree: 'I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven' (Exodus 17:14). Saul's incomplete obedience in executing this command cost him the kingdom (1 Samuel 15), while later Haman the Agagite (Amalekite descendant) nearly destroyed Jews in Persia (Esther 3-7). Amalek symbolizes perpetual opposition to God's people, ultimately destroyed in eschatological judgment.