Keraia
Numbers 24

Numbers 24:9

Balaam’s Third Oracle · Numbers 24:1–9
Read Numbers 24

Translations

Modern
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
Traditional
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
Literal
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? He who blesses you is blessed and he who curses you is cursed.”
Latin
Accubans dormivit ut leo, et quasi leæna, quam suscitare nullus audebit. Qui benedixerit tibi, erit et ipse benedictus: qui maledixerit, in maledictione reputabitur.

Original

Hebrew
English
He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

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.

Glossary

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

Topics

Balaam: A Prophet Prayer: Imprecatory Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men Protecting Israel The Jews: Denunciations Against Those Who: Cursed The Lion of Israel