1 Balaam then saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel. He did not go as before to seek omens but turned towards the desert.
2 Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel settled tribe by tribe; the spirit of God came on him
3 and he declaimed his poem, as follows: The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man with far-seeing eyes,
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
5 How fair your tents are, Jacob, how fair your dwellings, Israel,
6 like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters!
7 A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, and his kingship held in honour.
8 God has brought him out of Egypt, is like the wild ox's horns to him. He devours the corpses of his enemies, breaking their bones, piercing them with his arrows.
9 He has crouched, he has lain down, like a lion, like a lioness; who dare rouse him? Blessed be those who bless you, and accursed be those who curse you!
10 Balak flew into a rage with Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to Balaam, 'I brought you to curse my enemies, and you have insisted on blessing them three times over!
11 So now go home as fast as your legs can carry you. I promised to load you with honours. Yahweh himself has deprived you of them.'
12 Balaam retorted to Balak, 'Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
13 "Even if Balak gave me his house full of gold and silver I could not go against Yahweh's order and do anything of my own accord, whether for good or ill; whatever Yahweh says is what I shall say"?
14 Now that I am going back to my own folk, let me warn you what this people will do to your people, in days to come.'
15 He then declaimed his poem, as follows: The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man with far-seeing eyes,
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
17 I see him -- but not in the present. I perceive him -- but not close at hand: a star is emerging from Jacob, a sceptre is rising from Israel, to strike the brow of Moab, the skulls of all the children of Seth.
18 Edom too will be a conquered land, Seir too will be a conquered land, when Israel exerts his strength,
19 when Jacob tramples on his enemies and destroys the last survivors of Ar.
20 Balaam then looked at Amalek and declaimed his poem, as follows: Amalek, the earliest of nations! But his posterity will perish forever.
21 He then looked at the Kenites and declaimed his poem, as follows: Your dwelling was firm, Kain, your nest perched high in the rock.
22 But the nest belongs to Beor; how long will you be Asshur's captive?
23 He then declaimed his poem, as follows: The Sea-people are gathering in the north,
24 the vessels from the coasts of Kittim. They will bear down on Asshur, bear down on Eber; he too will perish forever.
25 Balaam then got up, left and went home, and Balak too went his way.
Versículos relacionados com Numbers, 24:
In Chapter 24 of the Book of Numbers, we see the conclusion of the story of Balaam, a pagan prophet who was hired by King Balaque to curse the people of Israel. However, instead, Balaam was inspired by the Spirit of God and ended up blessing the people of Israel three times. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in numbers 24:
Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; all the families of the earth will be blessed." This verse is quoted by Balaam in his third blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 24:9) and shows how God had promised to bless those who bless the people of Israel and curse those who cursed them.
Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man to lie, nor the son of man to repent. He speaks and stops acting? This verse, quoted by Balaam in his second blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 23:19-20), highlights God's faithfulness and veracity to fulfill his promises, including his promises to the people of Israel.
Numbers 24:17-"I will see him, but not now; I will contemplate him, but not closely. A star will leave Jacob; a scepter will rise from Israel." This verse is part of Balaam's third blessing to the people of Israel and is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, which would be fulfilled at the birth of Jesus Christ, descendant of Jacob and King of Israel.
Deuteronomy 23:4-5 - "Do not seek peace or their prosperity while they live. They do not stop their progress or give them help." These verses are a reference to the curse that Balaam tried to cast upon the people of Israel, who eventually became blessing (Numbers 24:10-11). Here God commands the Israelites to do no covenants or friendships with the Ammonites and the Moabites, for they had refused to help the Israelites on their journey through the desert.
Revelation 2:14 - "However, some things I have against you: there are those who follow the doctrine of Balaam, which taught Balaque to arm itts against the Israelites, inducing them to eat idol foods and to commit sexual immorality. " This verse, part of Jesus' message to the Church of Pergamum, refers to the story of Balaam and warns Christians about the danger of following teachings that resemble those of Balaam, who tried to curse God's people.
Poglavlja: