He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Read it in contextBalaam’s Third Oracle
Start reading at Numbers 24:1 (Numbers 24:1 to Numbers 24:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Deaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
24:1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
24:2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
24:3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
24:4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
24:5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
24:6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
24:7He shall pour 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.
24:8God 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.
24:9He couched, 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 22:1–24:25): Balak king of Moab summons Balaam concerning Israel. Balaam's oracles are delivered before Balak and his officials while Israel is encamped below; Israel is often the subject rather than the immediate hearer. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Balaam’s Third Oracle. Read Numbers 24:1 through Numbers 24:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Deaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Balaam’s Third Oracle (Numbers 24:1 to Numbers 24:9).
Start reading at Numbers 24:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 24:1, Numbers 24:9, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command. Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt.
Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 24
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Deaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Deaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.