Numbers 23:10

Translations

Modern

Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Traditional

Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

Literal

Who can count the dust of Jacob, and number a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!”

Latin

Quis dinumerare possit pulverem Jacob, et nosse numerum stirpis Israël? Moriatur anima mea morte justorum, et fiant novissima mea horum similia.

Original

Hebrew

English

Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Notes

Numbers 23:7–10

In his first message from God, Balaam reviewed why he had come to Moab (23:5, 16). He explained how Balak had called him. He also stressed that God had a special relationship with Israel. Balaam made clear that he could not harm Israel because God was protecting them.
These messages are written as poetry. Hebrew poetry often uses parallelism. Parallelism places two similar lines together. The second line repeats or strengthens the first line in a clear and ordered way.
Aram: This refers to Aram-naharaim. This name describes North Mesopotamia, where Balaam’s hometown of Pethor was located (Numbers 22:5).
the mountains of the east: This refers to a mountain range in North Syria.

Numbers 23:1–30

As a diviner, Balaam carried out rituals to look for signs about the future of Israel (compare 23:23; 24:1). Balak had called him to curse Israel, but God repeatedly stopped him.
These sacrifices might have related to extispicy. This was the practice of examining animal livers or other organs to predict the future. Ancient Near Eastern texts show that this fortune-telling method was common and well-developed. God had forbidden Israel from such practices (see Deuteronomy 18:9–14; compare Ezekiel 21:21).

Numbers 22:2–24:25

The story of Balak and Balaam marks an important turning point in Israel’s history. It includes humor, drama, and deep teaching about God.

The story makes one main point clear. The Lord’s will must be carried out. No one could stop his plan for Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Jacob Moab and Ammon

Related verses

Psalm 37:37
Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace.
Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”
2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Timothy 4:6–8
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Isaiah 57:1–2
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil.
Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
1 Corinthians 15:53–57
For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
Numbers 2:31
The total number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600; they shall set out last, under their standards.”
Genesis 28:14
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.
Numbers 2:24
The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Ephraim is 108,100; they shall set out third.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Balaam Balak Bamoth, Bamoth-Baal Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of False Prophets Jannes and Jambres Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Poetry, Biblical Prophets, False Shittim (Place)

Topics

Death of the Righteous God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Righteousness: The Wicked Vainly Wish to Die As Those Who Follow The Death of Saints: The Wicked Wish Theirs to Resemble

Numbers 23:10

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