Numbers 24
1When Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] saw that it pleased Adonai to bless Israel [God prevails], he didn’t go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel [God prevails] dwelling according to their tribes; and the breath mind Spirit of God came on him.
3He took up his parable, and said, 1 “Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] the son of Beor says, 2 the man whose eyes are open says; 1
4he says, who sh'ma ·hears obeys· the words of God, 2 who sees the vision of Shaddai [Almighty], 2 falling down, and having his eyes open: 1
5How goodly are your tents, Jacob [Supplanter], 2 and your tents, Israel [God prevails]! 1
6As valleys they are spread out, 2 as gardens by the riverside, 2 as aloes which Adonai has planted, 2 as cedar trees beside the waters. 1
7Water shall flow from his buckets. 2 His seed shall be in many waters. 1 His king shall be higher than Agag. 2 His kingdom shall be exalted. 1
8God brings him out of Egypt [Abode of slavery]. 2 He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. 1 He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, 2 shall break their bones in pieces, 2 and pierce them with his arrows. 1
9He couched, he lay down as a lion, 2 as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? 1 Everyone who blesses you is blessed. 2 Everyone who curses you is cursed.”
10Balak’s anger burned against Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people], and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people], “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
11Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Adonai has kept you back from honor.”
12Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
13‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Adonai’s word, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what Adonai says’? (LY:7)
14Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
15He took up his parable, and said, 1 “Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] the son of Beor says, 2 the man whose eyes are open says; 2
16he says, who sh'ma ·hears obeys· the words of God, 2 knows the knowledge of haElyon [the Most High], 2 and who sees the vision of Shaddai [Almighty], 2 Falling down, and having his eyes open: 1
17+ 24:17 a MPr: Rambam explains: “I see him but not now,” this refers to David [Beloved]; “I behold him but not nigh” this refers to King Messiah; “A star shall step forth out of Jacob,” this refers to King David; “and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” this refers to King Messiah. ( Mishne Torah [Second Torah] written by RamBam – Hilchot Melachim, c. 11-12). (King David fulfilled: 1 Chr 18:2; Messiah fulfilled: Is 49:6; Ps 45:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 26:23; Rev 11:15) I see him, but not now. 2 I see him, but not near. 1 + 24:17 (17-18) MP: Star out of Jacob [Supplanter]. Star and Scepter (Gen 49:10) together identify royal leadership. (Matt 2:1-2; Luke 1:30-33) + 24:17 b MPr: Balaam’s prophecies about “the Star from Jacob” and “the scepter from Israel [God prevails]” (Num 24:17) crushing Moab [From father] refers to Messiah. (Num 24:17 in Targum Onkelos, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Midrash Deuteronomy 1, and Midrash Lamentations 2:2). (Historically fulfilled: 1 Chr 18:2; Prophecy still: Rev 20:7-9) A star will come out of Jacob [Supplanter]. 2 A scepter will rise out of Israel [God prevails], 1 + 24:17 (17-18) MP: Kingdom reign was first fulfilled by King David against Edom and Moab. Reference to the (Gen 49:10) scepter is finally fulfilled in the Messiah’s kingdom. (Rev 22:16) and shall strike through the corners of Moab [From father], 2 and break down all the sons of Sheth. 1
18Edom [Red] shall be a possession. 2 Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, 2 while Israel [God prevails] does valiantly. 1
19Out of Jacob [Supplanter] shall one have dominion, 2 and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”
20He looked at Amalek [Man who licks up], and took up his parable, and said, 1 “Amalek [Man who licks up] was the first of the nations, 2 But his latter end shall come to destruction.”
21He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, 1 “Your dwelling place is strong. 2 Your nest is set in the rock. 1
22Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, 2 until Asshur carries you away captive.”
23He took up his parable, and said, 1 “Alas, who shall live when God does this? 2
24But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. 1 They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. 2 He also shall come to destruction.”
25Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] rose up, and went and teshuvah ·completely returned· to his place; and Balak also went his way.