Balaam’s Final Sayings
Numbers 24:20-25
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Num.24.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עמלק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff_3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ראשית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמלק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואחריתו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- עדי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אבד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 17:8-16 (verbal): Records the first recorded attack of Amalek on Israel and God's verdict ('The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation'), paralleling Balaam's identification of Amalek as an early enemy whose end is destruction.
- Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (thematic): Moses commands Israel to 'remember what Amalek did' and to blot out their memory—themewise parallel to Balaam's oracle that Amalek's 'latter end' will be perishing.
- 1 Samuel 15:2-3 (quotation): God's command to Saul to 'attack the Amalekites and utterly destroy all that they have' echoes the prophetic expectation in Num 24:20 of Amalek's ultimate destruction.
- Psalm 83:6-7 (thematic): Lists Amalek among the hostile nations conspiring against Israel; thematically parallels Balaam's portrayal of Amalek as a chief enemy destined for ruin.
Alternative generated candidates
- He looked on Amalek and took up his oracle, and said: Amalek is the first of the peoples, but his end is utter destruction.
- He looked upon Amalek and took up his oracle, and said, "Amalek is first among the nations, but his latter end is utter destruction."
Num.24.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הקיני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff_3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איתן: ADJ,m,sg
- מושבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- ושים: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- בסלע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קנך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 33:16 (thematic): Speaks of a secure dwelling 'on high' with 'munitions of rocks' — closely parallels the image of placing one’s nest on a rock as a strong refuge.
- Matthew 7:24-25 (thematic): Jesus’ parable of the wise builder whose house founded on rock endures storms echoes the motif of a safe, durable dwelling established on rock.
- Job 39:27-28 (verbal): Describes a bird making its nest on high and dwelling upon the rock — a very similar bird/nest-on-rock image to Balaam’s line.
- Psalm 18:2 (thematic): Uses 'rock' as image of refuge and stronghold ('The LORD is my rock and my fortress'), paralleling the verse’s use of rock as protection for a dwelling.
- Judges 1:16 (allusion): Mentions the Kenites dwelling among Judah (the Kenite settlement background); connects to Balaam’s oracle concerning the Kenites’ habitation and stability.
Alternative generated candidates
- He looked on the Kenite and took up his oracle, and said: Steadfast is your dwelling; set your nest in the rock.
- He looked upon the Kenite and took up his oracle, and said, "Secure is your dwelling; your nest is set upon a rock."
Num.24.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבער: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- קין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- מה: PRON,int
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשבך: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 24:21 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding line of Balaam's oracle describes the Kenite's 'dwelling-place' and 'nest in a rock,' which 24:22 completes by predicting the Kenite's wasting and question about Asshur.
- Judges 1:16 (verbal): Explicit mention of the Kenites settling among Israel (’the children of the Kenite’), providing background for Balaam’s reference to the Kenite people.
- Judges 4:11 (verbal): Reference to Heber the Kenite (and Kenite presence in Israelite territory) — another biblical attestation of the Kenite group to which Balaam refers.
- 2 Kings 17:6 (verbal): Describes Assyria carrying Israel into exile — a direct historical parallel to the image in Num 24:22 of ‘Asshur’ carrying people away.
- Isaiah 10:5-7 (thematic): Portrays Assyria (Asshur) as the instrument of conquest and deportation — thematically related to Balaam’s question about Asshur carrying the Kenite away.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if Asshur should seize you, how long will you endure?
- He looked and said, "If the Kenite is to be consumed, how long will Asshur dwell there?"
Num.24.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff_3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אוי: INTJ
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יחיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משמו: PREP+PRON,from,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
Parallels
- Isaiah 33:14 (verbal): Both employ a rhetorical question about who can survive/dwell in the face of consuming divine judgment ("Who among us can dwell with devouring fire?/Who shall live..."), echoing the motif of God's consuming wrath.
- Nahum 1:6 (verbal): Uses explicit rhetorical questions—"Who can stand before his indignation? who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?"—paralleling Balaam's lament over the deadly consequences of God's action.
- Deuteronomy 32:22 (thematic): Describes God's wrath kindled as fire against his foes and its deadly effect; thematically parallels Balaam's warning/woe that none shall live when God executes judgment.
- Revelation 6:17 (thematic): A later apocalyptic lament—"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"—echoes the same anguished rhetorical question about surviving divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- He took up his oracle and said: Woe! who shall live when God acts?
- Then he took up his oracle and said, "Woe! Who shall live when God acts? Who shall endure when he rises to judge?"
Num.24.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וצים: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מיד: PREP
- כתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עדי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אבד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 10:4 (verbal): Kittim appears in the Table of Nations as a maritime people (sons of Javan), matching Numbers' mention of 'ships from the coast of Kittim' — a direct onomastic/verbal link to the identity of Kittim.
- Jonah 1:3 (allusion): Jonah flees toward Tarshish (a western maritime destination often equated with Kittim/Tarshish traditions); the motif of ships sailing to western coasts parallels Numbers' image of ships from Kittim.
- Isaiah 10:5–7, 12 (thematic): Assyria is portrayed both as God's instrument of judgment and as ultimately judged itself; this theme parallels Numbers' reference to Asshur being afflicted/perishing.
- Nahum 1:1; 3:7 (thematic): Oracles announcing the destruction of Nineveh/Assyria echo the prophetic prediction in Numbers that Asshur will be afflicted and come to ruin.
- Psalm 83:1–8 (thematic): A confederation of neighboring peoples conspiring against Israel and the expectation of divine vindication parallels the motif of hostile nations being dealt with in Balaam's oracle (including the affliction of Asshur and others).
Alternative generated candidates
- From the coast come ships of Kittim; they shall assail Asshur and shall assail Eber — and he too shall be brought to ruin.
- Ships shall come from Kittim; they shall afflict Asshur and shall afflict Eber — and he too shall perish utterly.
Num.24.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למקמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לדרכו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Num.22:41 (verbal): Same actor and motion language — Balaam 'rose' and 'went' at the opening of the Balaam narrative; the wording echoes the movement/itinerary motif surrounding Balaam's visits with Balak.
- Num.24:10 (structural): Balak's angry response to Balaam's oracles immediately precedes the narrative conclusion in 24:25; the verse pair frames the end of the prophetic episode (Balak's reaction and both men's departures).
- Num.24:2–9 (thematic): Balaam's final set of oracles (24:2–9) culminate in the narrative closure of 24:25; these verses and the closing formula together complete the oracle sequence and return motif.
- 2 Pet.2:15–16 (allusion): Peter cites Balaam as an example of a false teacher and morally corrupt prophet who 'loved the wages of unrighteousness' — a New Testament moral-theological parallel to the Balaam episode's legacy after his departure.
- Jude 11 (cf. Rev.2:14) (allusion): Jude (and Revelation's reference) invoke 'Balaam's error' and his role with Balak as paradigmatic of false teaching and enticement to sin, connecting the Numbers narrative's characters and outcome with later theological judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balaam rose and went back to his place, and Balak went his own way.
- Balaam rose and went back to his place, and Balak went on his way.
He saw Amalek; he took up his oracle and said, "Amalek is the first of the nations, and his end is destruction."
He saw the Kenite; he took up his oracle and said, "Firm is your dwelling; set your nest in the rock." But if raiders come against you, you shall be assailed—yet Asshur will lay you low and carry you off.
He took up his oracle and said, "Woe! Who shall live when God acts?"
From the coastlands of Kittim ships shall come; they shall afflict Asshur, and afflict Eber; and he too shall be utterly destroyed.
Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; and Balak went on his way.