Numbers 24:8

Translations

Modern

God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.

Traditional

God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

Literal

God brings him out of Egypt; strength like a wild ox is unto him. He shall consume his enemies the nations, and their bones he shall break, and pierce them with his arrows.

Latin

Deus eduxit illum de Ægypto, cujus fortitudo similis est rhinocerotis. Devorabunt gentes hostes illius, ossaque eorum confringent, et perforabunt sagittis.

Original

Hebrew

English

God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.

Notes

Numbers 24:7–9

God's blessing would allow the Israelites defeat their enemies (see 24:15–24).
Agag was an Amalekite king whom King Saul defeated (1 Samuel 15:7–9, 32–33). The Amalekites, a desert people, were traditional enemies of the Hebrews (compare Numbers 14:45; Exodus 17:8–16). Agag was probably a traditional title for their king. Since God brought Israel out of Egypt, he fought for them like a warrior and a wild animal (wild ox and lion; Numbers 24:8–9).
Blessed … cursed: See Genesis 12:3; 27:29.

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 45:5
Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.
Numbers 14:9
Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.
Psalm 2:9
You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”
Jeremiah 50:17
Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”
Isaiah 38:13
I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.
Jeremiah 50:9
For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.
Deuteronomy 32:23
I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.
Daniel 6:24
At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Numbers 21:5
…and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”
Psalm 21:12
For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

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

Topics

Arrow: Figurative Arrows: Discharged with Great Force Balaam: A Prophet Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men Wild Ox of God As the Strength of Israel Wild Ox: Great Strength of

Numbers 24:8

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