Numbers 24:6

Translations

Modern

They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.

Traditional

As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

Literal

Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the river, like aloes planted by YHWH, like cedars beside the waters.

Latin

…ut valles nemorosæ, ut horti juxta fluvios irrigui, ut tabernacula quæ fixit Dominus, quasi cedri prope aquas.

Original

Hebrew

English

They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.

Notes

Numbers 24:5–6

God showed his love for his people by giving them many blessings. These blessings were signs of his care and favor toward Israel.

Numbers 24:6–7

The Lord’s favor is shown by comparing Israel to groves and gardens that have plenty of water. In a dry land, water brings life and growth. This picture shows how God was caring for his people.

Israel’s growing population also showed God’s blessing (24:7; as mentioned in 23:10). This growth would become even clearer in the second census recorded in chapter 26.

Numbers 24:3–9

The third message describes God's plan to bless Israel again.

Numbers 23:27–24:14

Unhappy with Balaam's blessing, Balak hoped a new location would change the outcome. Although the exact location of Mount Peor is unknown, it was probably near a worship site for Baal of Peor and the Beth-peor (compare 25:3, 5). See Deuteronomy 3:29; 34:6 for where they buried Moses.

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 Spirit Empowerment The Priestly Blessing

Related verses

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Psalm 104:16
The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,
Psalm 92:12–14
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Ezekiel 47:12
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.”
Jeremiah 31:12
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.
Ezekiel 31:3–4
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.
Jeremiah 17:18
Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster and shatter them with double destruction.
Genesis 13:10
And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Song of Solomon 4:12–15
My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.
Genesis 2:8–10
And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed.
Isaiah 41:19
I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,

Glossary

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

Topics

Balaam: A Prophet Gardens: Often Made by the Banks of Rivers Lign-Aloe: A Tree, not Identified by Naturalists Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men Rivers: Gardens often Made Beside Tent by the People of Israel The Cedar: Banks of Rivers Favourable to the Growth of The Cedar: Beauty and Glory of Israel Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trees: Lign-Aloes Valleys: (Fruitful and Well Watered) of the Tents of Israel

Numbers 24:6

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