🔢WEB · Numbers 24:14
What does Numbers 24:14 mean?
"Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”"
— Numbers 24:14 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Therefore, flee to your place, now! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor.”
Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Yahweh’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what Yahweh says’?
Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Explanation
Numbers 24:14 records the words of Balaam to King Balak of Moab, spoken just before Balaam delivers his final and most far-reaching prophecy about Israel's future. In plain language, Balaam says: "I am about to leave and return to my own people, but before I go, let me tell you what Israel will do to Moab in the days to come." It is both a farewell and a warning, introducing the prophecy that follows in verses 15-19, which speaks of a coming ruler—"a star out of Jacob"—who will triumph over Moab and other nations.
The context is essential to understanding this verse. Balak had summoned Balaam, a foreign prophet with a reputation for spiritual power, specifically to curse the Israelites as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Balak feared Israel's growing strength and hoped a curse would weaken or destroy them before they could threaten Moab. However, throughout Numbers 22–24, God repeatedly prevents Balaam from cursing Israel, instead putting blessings in his mouth. By chapter 24, Balak's frustration has grown, but Balaam makes clear that he cannot
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