Keraia
Pentateuch

Numbers 24

Balaam’s Third Oracle

1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.

1And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of YHWH to bless Israel, and he did not go as time by time to seek to use sorcery, and he set his face toward the wilderness.

2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3and he lifted up an oracle, saying:

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

3And he lifted up his oracle and said: “An utterance of Balaam son of Beor, and a declaration of the man whose eyes are opened.

4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

4An utterance of him who hears the words of God, who sees a vision of Shaddai, and who falls down with eyes wide open.

5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,

your dwellings, O Israel!

5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!

6They spread out like palm groves,

like gardens beside a stream,

like aloes the LORD has planted,

like cedars beside the waters.

6Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the river, like aloes planted by YHWH, like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will flow from his buckets,

and his seed will have abundant water.

His king will be greater than Agag,

and his kingdom will be exalted.

7He shall pour water from his buckets, and his seed is abundant in waters. And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brought him out of Egypt

with strength like a wild ox,

to devour hostile nations and crush their bones,

to pierce them with arrows.

8God brings him out of Egypt; strength like a wild ox is unto him. He shall consume his enemies the nations, and their bones he shall break, and pierce them with his arrows.

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion,

like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

Blessed are those who bless you

and cursed are those who curse you.”

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? He who blesses you is blessed and he who curses you is cursed.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

10And the anger of Balak was kindled against Balaam, and he struck together his hands. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have surely blessed them these three times.

11Therefore , flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

11And now flee for yourself to your place! I said I would richly reward you, and in fact YHWH has kept you back from honor.”

12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me

12And Balaam said to Balak, “Was it not even to your messengers whom you sent to me that I spoke, saying

13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

13that if Balak were to give to me the fullness of his house in silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of YHWH to do good or bad of my own will? That which YHWH says, that I must speak.

14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

14And indeed I am going to my people; come, I will counsel you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying,

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

15And he lifted up his oracle and said, “An utterance of Balaam son of Beor and a declaration of the man with opened eyes,

16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

16a declaration of him who hears the words of God and has the knowledge of the Most High; the vision of Shaddai he sees, falling down and eyes wide open.

17I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come forth from Jacob,

and a scepter will arise from Israel.

He will crush the skulls of Moab

and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

17I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab and destroy all the sons of tumult.

18Edom will become a possession,

as will Seir, his enemy;

but Israel will perform with valor.

18And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession for his enemies, and Israel will act valiantly.

19A ruler will come from Jacob

and destroy the survivors of the city.”

19And one shall have dominion out of Jacob and destroy the remains of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Amalek was first among the nations,

but his end is destruction.”

20And he saw Amalek, and he lifted up his oracle and said, “Amalek was first among the nations, and his end is utter destruction.”

21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Your dwelling place is secure,

and your nest is set in a cliff.

21And he looked on the Kenite, and he lifted up his oracle and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.

22Yet Kain will be destroyed

when Asshur takes you captive.”

22For nevertheless the Kenite shall be for burning, until when Asshur will take you captive.”

23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Ah, who can live

unless God has ordained it?

23And he lifted up his oracle and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?

24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;

they will subdue Asshur and Eber,

but they too will perish forever.”

24And ships shall come from the hand of Kittim, and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, and he is for utter destruction.”

25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

25And Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.