The Star out of Jacob
Numbers 24:15-19
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Num.24.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff_3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונאם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העין: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 24:3-9 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: earlier Balaam oracle introduced in the same formula and delivering poetic praise of Israel—part of the contiguous series of 'sayings of Balaam.'
- Numbers 23:7-10 (structural): Earlier set of Balaam oracles that use the same prophetic motif (refusal/undoing of a curse) and the formal speaker‑introductions that frame Balaam's poetic sayings.
- Numbers 24:16-19 (structural): Direct continuation of Balaam's prophetic speeches following 24:15; shares genre, prophetic formula, and thematic focus on Israel and surrounding nations.
- Deuteronomy 23:5 (verbal): References the outcome of Balaam's mission—God 'turned the curse into a blessing'—explicitly connects Deuteronomy's memory of Israel's protection with the Balaam oracles introduced in Numbers 24:15.
- Revelation 2:14 (allusion): Later New Testament allusion to Balaam's teaching as a negative example (leading to sin); shows how Balaam's identity as a prophet-for-hire and his sayings were interpreted in early Christian tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he lifted up his oracle and said, the utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eye is opened.
- And he lifted up his oracle and said: the utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened.
Num.24.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- וידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עליון: ADJ,m,sg
- מחזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחזה: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגלוי: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עינים: NOUN,f,du,abs
Parallels
- Job 33:14-16 (thematic): Describes God communicating through dreams and visions — parallels Balaam’s claim to ‘hear the words of God’ and receive a vision from the Almighty.
- 1 Samuel 3:9-10 (verbal): Samuel’s readiness to ‘hear’ God’s word (’Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth’) echoes Balaam’s formulaic language about hearing divine speech.
- Amos 3:7 (allusion): States that God reveals his plans to his prophets — parallels the underlying claim that divine knowledge/vision is being disclosed to Balaam.
- Isaiah 6:1-8 (thematic): Prophetic commissioning in the context of a visionary encounter with God; similar imagery of seeing a divine manifestation and receiving revelation.
- Ezekiel 1:1-3 (structural): Opening vision formula (‘I saw visions of God’) matches Balaam’s vision-language and the prophetic report of a revelation from on high.
Alternative generated candidates
- The utterance of one who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty—he falls, yet his eyes are uncovered.
- He hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High; a vision of the Almighty has he seen—he fell prostrate, and his eyes were opened.
Num.24.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אראנו: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- עתה: ADV
- אשורנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כוכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיעקב: PREP
- וקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מישראל: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ומחץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פאתי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וקרקר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 49:10 (thematic): Both predict a future ruler arising from Jacob/Israel — Genesis speaks of the scepter (royal rule) and Numbers images a rising star from Jacob (messianic kingship).
- Numbers 23:22-24 (structural): Another of Balaam’s oracles celebrating Israel’s rise and invincibility; the sequence and intent (prophetic blessing/announcement of Israel’s dominion) parallels Num 24:17 context and tone.
- Matthew 2:1-2 (allusion): The Magi cite a star announcing the 'king of the Jews'; the evangelist and later readers understood Balaam’s 'star out of Jacob' as a typological precedent for the Messiah’s star.
- Revelation 22:16 (verbal): Christ is called the 'bright morning star' — the same star-imagery is applied to the messianic figure in Num 24:17, linking Israelite oracle to New Testament messianic language.
- Jeremiah 48:42-43 (thematic): Jeremiah’s oracle of doom against Moab (destruction, loss of strength) echoes Balaam’s prediction that Moab’s power will be broken/overthrown in Num 24:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the borderlands of Moab and shatter all the sons of Sheth.
- I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, and he shall crush the foreheads of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Num.24.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ירשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איביו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3ms
- וישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 108:9 (verbal): Speaks of subjugating Edom with similar victorious imagery ('over Edom I cast my shoe'), paralleling Balaam's prediction that Edom/Seir will be possessed and Israel will triumph.
- Obadiah 1:18 (thematic): Declares the house of Esau (Edom) will be consumed and Jacob will possess his inheritance—directly parallels the theme of Edom/Seir's dispossession and Israel's victory.
- Ezekiel 35:12-15 (allusion): Oracle against Mount Seir/Edom predicting devastation because of hostility to Israel; echoes the dispossession and judgment language found in Numbers 24:18.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (structural): Reports David's military subjugation of Edom (garrisons placed in Edom), serving as a historical fulfillment/realization of the assertion that Edom/Seir would be overcome by Israel.
- Amos 1:11-12 (thematic): Pronounces judgment on Edom for violence against kin and foretells loss of power—resonates with Balaam's forecast that Edom/Seir will be dispossessed and Israel prevail.
Alternative generated candidates
- Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession for his foes; but Israel shall do valiantly.
- Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession; his foes shall be possessed, and Israel shall do valiantly.
Num.24.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מיעקב: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והאביד: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- שריד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Num.24.17 (verbal): Same oracle of Balaam — immediately preceding line speaking of 'a star out of Jacob' and of one from Jacob who will exert dominion; the wording continues the idea of a deliverer/ruler arising from Jacob.
- Gen.49:10 (thematic): Jacob's blessing promises the scepter (rule) will come from Israel/Judah — a tradition of a ruler arising from Jacob's line who holds dominion, resonating with 'he shall come down from Jacob'.
- Micah 5:2 (thematic): Prophecy that a ruler will come forth from Israel (Bethlehem) — another prophetic tradition of a future leader arising from Jacob's people who will govern and shepherd Israel.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (thematic): Speaks of a coming ruler whose government and dominion will be established on David’s throne — parallels the theme of a powerful figure from Israel/Jacob who will exercise sovereign rule.
- Psalm 72:8 (thematic): Prayer/vision of a king whose dominion extends over enemies and nations ('may he have dominion from sea to sea'), echoing the motif of a ruler from Israel who subdues foes ('and destroy him that remaineth of the city').
Alternative generated candidates
- Out of Jacob one shall have dominion and shall destroy the remnant of the city.
- He shall come down from Jacob and shall destroy the remnant from the city.
Then he took up his oracle and said, 'The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes are open.'
'He who hears the words of God and has knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty—he beholds it; he falls prostrate, and his eyes are opened.'
I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: there shall come a star out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; he will strike the outposts of Moab and lay waste all the sons of Sheth.
Edom shall be a possession, Seir shall be a possession; his enemies will be dispossessed, and Israel will do valiantly.
Out of Jacob one shall rule and will destroy the remnant of the city.