📖 Numbers — Chapter 24 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Numbers 24:1 And when Balaam Rsaw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, Tto seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Numbers 24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel Rabiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
Numbers 24:3 And Rhe took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man Twhose eyes are open hath said:
Numbers 24:4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which Rsaw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, Ras gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
Numbers 24:7 He shall Rpour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
Numbers 24:8 RGod brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
Numbers 24:9 He Rcouched, 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.
Numbers 24:10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and Rhe smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
Numbers 24:11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: RI thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and RI will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
Numbers 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
Numbers 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Numbers 24:17 RI shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall Tsmite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Numbers 24:18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
Numbers 24:19 Out Rof Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
Numbers 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was Rthe first of Tthe nations; but his latter end shall be Tthat he perish for ever.
Numbers 24:21 And he looked on Rthe Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
Numbers 24:22 Nevertheless Tthe Kenite shall be wasted, RTuntil Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
Numbers 24:23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live Rwhen God doeth this!
Numbers 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of RChittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
Numbers 24:25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 24:1–9 — Israel Blessed Again
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Balaam sees that the LORD is pleased to bless Israel and no longer seeks enchantments as before. The spirit of God comes upon him. His message describes Israel's tents, fruitfulness, deliverance, and strength, ending with blessing and cursing connected to how others treat Israel.
Key Truth: The message again presents Israel under the LORD's blessing.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose spirit came upon Balaam? (Numbers 24:2)
Find it in Numbers 24:2 (KJV).
2. From which land had God brought Israel? (Numbers 24:8)
Find it in Numbers 24:8 (KJV).
3. What animal is Israel compared to when lying down in verse 9? (Numbers 24:9)
Find it in Numbers 24:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 24:10–14 — Balak's Anger
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Balak is angry because Balaam has blessed Israel three times. He tells Balaam to return home without the honour he had proposed. Balaam repeats that even great wealth cannot permit him to speak beyond the LORD's command, and introduces a message about latter days.
Key Truth: The promised honour cannot alter the word Balaam is required to speak.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was angry with Balaam? (Numbers 24:10)
Find it in Numbers 24:10 (KJV).
2. How many times does Balak say Israel has been blessed? (Numbers 24:10)
Find it in Numbers 24:10 (KJV).
3. Name both metals in the houseful of wealth Balaam mentions. (Numbers 24:13)
Find it in Numbers 24:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 24:15–25 — The Later-Day Messages
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Balaam speaks of a Star out of Jacob and a Sceptre out of Israel. Further sayings concern Moab, Edom, Amalek, the Kenites, and other peoples named in the text. The chapter closes with Balaam returning to his place and Balak going his way.
Key Truth: The account records the prophetic sayings and the end of Balaam's meeting with Balak.
Check What You Remember
1. Out of whom would the Star come? (Numbers 24:17)
Find it in Numbers 24:17 (KJV).
2. Out of whom would the Sceptre rise? (Numbers 24:17)
Find it in Numbers 24:17 (KJV).
3. Where did Balaam return at the end? (Numbers 24:25)
Find it in Numbers 24:25 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Balaam’s approach change when he recognizes the LORD’s pleasure in blessing Israel?
2. How do the garden and cedar images develop the description of Israel’s tents?
3. How does the lion image accompany the blessing-and-cursing declaration?
4. How does threatened loss of honour test Balaam’s stated speech boundary?
5. How does the Star and Sceptre passage describe the timing and source of the coming rule?
Notes
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