Keraia
Numbers 24

Numbers 24:21

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles · Numbers 24:20–25
Read Numbers 24

Translations

Modern
Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
Traditional
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
Literal
And he looked on the Kenite, and he lifted up his oracle and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.
Latin
Vidit quoque Cinæum: et assumpta parabola, ait: Robustum quidem est habitaculum tuum: sed si in petra posueris nidum tuum,

Original

Hebrew
English
Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.

Notes

Numbers 24:21–22

Assyria would destroy the Kenites, a desert people living in the same areas as the Amalekites and Midianites. Moses married a Kenite (Judges 1:16; 4:11; compare Numbers 10:29–32). The Kenites were mostly friendly with Israel after that time (for example, 1 Samuel 15:6; 27:10; 30:27–30).

Numbers 24:15–25

This prophecy gives more specific details than the first three messages. It is based on another vision from God (the Most High, 24:16). It also predicts the appearance of a great leader who will play a major role in these military victories (24:17).

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 Moab and Ammon

People

Kenites: A nomadic tribe friendly to the Israelites

Glossary

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

Topics

Birds: Make Their Nests in Clefts of Rocks Fortresses: Places Strong by Nature Kenites: A Canaanite Tribe Whose Country Was Given to Abraham Nest: Bird's, in a Rock The Kenites: Dwelt in Strongholds The Kenites: Ruin of, Predicted