Numbers-Chapter-24

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Re Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

YYYYYYY

Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

YYYYYYY

“Numbers Chapter 24”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

In Numbers 24, we witness the climax of the Balaam narrative. Having failed twice to bend the Divine will through ritual and sacrifice, Balaam finally abandons his “enchantments” and yields entirely to the spirit of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God). This chapter is unique because it moves from calculated sorcery to spontaneous, prophetic vision. We see Israel not through the eyes of an enemy seeking to destroy them, but through a lens of Divine favour that highlights their symmetry, their strength, and their ultimate role in history. It is a powerful reminder that the integrity of the community symbolized by the orderly arrangement of their tents is their greatest shield against external malice.

YYYYYYY

Let us read Numbers Chapter 24, verses 1 to 25: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary for this study.

1 “And when Balaam saw that it pleased יְהוָה - the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling tribe, by tribe; and the spirit of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said: ‘The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, and the saying of the man whose eye is opened; 4 The saying of him who heareth the words of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, fallen down, yet with opened eyes: 5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! 6 As valleys stretched out, as gardens by the river-side; as aloes planted of יְהוָה - the LORD, as cedars beside the waters; 7 Water shall flow from his branches, and his seed shall be in many waters; and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 אֱלֹהִים - Elohim who brought him forth out of Egypt is for him like the lofty horns of the wild-ox; he shall eat up the nations that are his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, and cursed be every one that curseth thee’. 10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he 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. 11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place; I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, יְהוָה - the LORD hath kept thee back from honour’. 12 And Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Spoke I not also to thy messengers that thou didst send unto me, saying: 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of יְהוָה - the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what יְהוָה - the LORD speaketh, that will I speak? 14 And now, behold, I go unto my people; come, and I will announce to thee what this people shall do to thy people in the end of days’. 15 And he took up his parable, and said: ‘The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, and the saying of the man whose eye is opened; 16 The saying of him who heareth the words of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, fallen down, yet with opened eyes: 17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; there shall step forth a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Seth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; while Israel doeth valiantly. 19 And out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city. 20 And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said: Amalek was the first of the nations; but his end shall come to destruction’. 21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said: Though firm be thy dwelling-place, and though thy nest be set in the rock; 22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted; How long? Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23 And he took up his parable, and said: ‘Alas, who shall live after אֱלֹהִים - Elohim hath appointed him? 24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, and they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall come to destruction’. 25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way”.

YYYYYYY

Below is my Commentary on Numbers Chapter 24:

Verses 1-4: (The Shift to True Vision). Balaam realizes that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim intends only to bless Israel. He stops looking for omens and simply turns his face toward the wilderness. By “setting his face toward the wilderness”, he acknowledges the reality of the people before him rather than trying to manipulate the supernatural. The “spirit of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim” comes upon him because he has finally silenced his own ego.

Verses 5-9: (The Beauty of Order - Mah Tovu). Balaam looks down and sees Israel dwelling tribe by tribe. The famous opening, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob”, refers to the physical and moral order of the camp. The commentary here focuses on the privacy and respect inherent in their layout tents positioned so that no one looks directly into another’s doorway. He compares Israel to lush gardens and cedar trees beside the water, symbols of natural, self-sustaining growth. The lion imagery (v. 9) transitions the theme from peaceful beauty to formidable strength; Israel is a nation that, when “crouched” in its own land, should not be disturbed.

Verses 10-14: (The Final Break with Balak). Balak’s anger is a natural reaction to his failed investment. He demands Balaam flee, but Balaam stands his ground, asserting that even a house full of silver and gold cannot bypass the Divine word. Before leaving, Balaam offers a “parting gift” a vision of what this people will do to Balak’s people in the “end of days”.

Verses 15-19: (The Star of Jacob). This is the most potent of the prophecies. Balaam sees a “star” rising out of Jacob and a “scepter” out of Israel. In a historical sense, this refers to the rise of an Hebraic sovereignty and the eventual dominance over local adversaries like Moab and Edom. It describes a ruler who will emerge with the power to unify the region under a moral and political standard.

Verses 20-25: (The Fate of the Nations). Balaam turns his gaze to the surrounding powers, Amalek, the Kenites, and even distant Asshur. His final words are a sober reflection on the rise and fall of empires. He notes that while these nations may seem secure (like a nest in a rock), they are subject to the tides of history and Divine judgment. The chapter ends with a quiet dispersal: Balaam returns to his place, and Balak goes his way, leaving Israel’s destiny untouched and ascending!

YYYYYYY

My Closing Message:

The transition of Balaam from a hired sorcerer to a reluctant prophet teaches us a profound lesson about the power of truth. No amount of wealth or external pressure can change the fundamental nature of a people who are aligned with their higher purpose. When we maintain our internal order our “tents” with integrity and respect for one another, the “curses” of the world naturally transform into blessings. May we always strive to be like the cedars by the water: deeply rooted, upright, and resilient against the winds of change!

YYYYYYY

Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Enter ...

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

Enter ...

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

-hebraicstudies.net-

Email the Rabbi

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...