Shared Word Translation
Numbers 24
Balaam’s Third Oracle
When Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to seek enchantments, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,
and he took up his oracle and said:
“The declaration of Balaam son of Beor,
the declaration of the man whose eye is opened,
the declaration of one who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling down, yet with eyes uncovered:
How good are your tents, O Jacob,
your dwellings, O Israel!
Like valleys they stretch out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes the LORD has planted,
like cedars beside the waters.
Water flows from their buckets,
and their seed is in abundant waters.
Their king shall be higher than Agag,
and their kingdom shall be exalted.
God brings them out of Egypt;
they have strength like the horns of a wild ox.
They shall devour nations, their adversaries,
and crush their bones,
and shatter them with arrows.
They crouch, they lie down like a lion,
and like a lioness—who will rouse them?
Blessed are those who bless you,
and cursed are those who curse you.”
Balak Dismisses Balaam
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look—you have blessed them these three times! Now flee to your place. I said I would honor you greatly, but look—the LORD has kept you from honor.” Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, ‘Even if Balak gives me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot cross the command of the LORD to do good or evil from my own heart. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’? And now, look, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in days to come.”
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle
Then he took up his oracle and said:
“The declaration of Balaam son of Beor,
the declaration of the man whose eye is opened,
the declaration of one who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of the Most High,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling down, yet with eyes uncovered:
I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star comes out from Jacob,
and a scepter rises from Israel.
It crushes the temples of Moab
and breaks down all the sons of Seth.
Edom becomes a possession,
Seir becomes a possession of its enemies,
while Israel acts with strength.
One from Jacob shall rule
and destroy the survivors from the city.”
Oracles Concerning the Nations
Then Balaam saw Amalek, took up his oracle, and said:
“First among the nations was Amalek,
but its end is destruction.”
Then he saw the Kenites, took up his oracle, and said:
“Enduring is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in the rock;
nevertheless Kain shall be consumed.
How long until Asshur carries you captive?”
Then he took up his oracle and said:
“Alas! Who shall live
when God does this?
Ships will come from the coast of Kittim;
they will afflict Asshur
and afflict Eber,
and they too shall come to destruction.”
Then Balaam rose and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.