Christian Standard Bible
Numbers 24:6
6They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the water.
Numbers 24:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As 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.
- New International Version (NIV)“Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the Lord, Like cedars beside the waters.
Context of Numbers 24:6
4the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: 5How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the water. 7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. 8God brought him out of Egypt; he is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows.
Read all of Numbers 24Numbers 24:6 word by word
כִּנְחָלִ֣ים נִטָּ֔יוּ כְּגַנֹּ֖ת עֲלֵ֣י נָהָ֑ר כַּאֲהָלִים֙ נָטַ֣ע יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲרָזִ֖ים עֲלֵי־מָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- As the valleysנַ֫חַלnachal nachlâh nachălâh · palm-treeH5158
- are they spread forthנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
- as gardensגַּנָּהgannâh · gardenH1593
- by the river’s sideנָהָרnâhâr · riverH5104
- as the trees of lign aloesאָהָל'ăhâlîym 'ăhâlôth · aloeH174
- which the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- hath plantedנָטַעnâţa‛ · to plantH5193
- as cedar treesאֶ֫רֶז'erez · cedarH730
- beside the watersמַיmayim · waterH4325
Cross-references for Numbers 24:6
- Psalms 68:26Bless God in the assemblies; bless the Lord from the fountain of Israel.
- Proverbs 5:16Should your springs flow in the streets, streams in the public squares?
- Isaiah 48:1“Listen to this, house of Jacob — those who are called by the name Israel and have descended from Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and declare the God of Israel, but not in truth or righteousness.
- Psalms 93:3The floods have lifted up, Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves.
- Jeremiah 51:13You who reside by abundant water, rich in treasures, your end has come, your life thread is cut.
- Revelation 17:1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute who is seated on many waters.
- Ezra 4:20Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates River, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.
- Psalms 2:6“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
- Psalms 18:43You have freed me from the feuds among the people; you have appointed me the head of nations; a people I had not known serve me.
- John 1:49“Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!”
- Philippians 2:10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —
- Revelation 19:16And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- 1 Samuel 15:8He captured King Agag of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.
- 2 Samuel 5:12Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
- 1 Kings 4:21Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt. They offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- 1 Chronicles 14:2Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
Commentaries on Numbers 24:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Lign aloes which the Lord hath planted - Or, as the tents which the Lord hath pitched; for it is the same word, אהלים ohalim, which is used in the 5th verse. But from other parts of Scripture we find that the word also signifies a species of tree, called by some the sandal tree, and by others the lignum or wood aloes. This tree is described as being eight or ten feet high, with very large leaves growing at the top; and it is supposed that a forest of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6As gardens by the river‘s side - Balaam‘s language reflects the famous artificial gardens along the banks of his own river, the Euphrates. As the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted - The latter words contain an apparent reference to Paradise (compare Genesis 2:8). The aloe, imported from China and the far distant east, furnished to the ancients one of the most fragrant and precious of spices; compare Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:17, As cedar trees…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-7The Lord’s favor is shown by comparing Israel to groves and gardens that have plenty of water. In a dry land, water brings life and growth. This picture shows how God was caring for his people. Israel’s growing population also showed God’s blessing (24:7; as mentioned in 23:10). This growth would become even clearer in the second census recorded in chapter 26.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-75-7. How goodly are thy tents, ... O Israel!--a fine burst of admiration, expressed in highly poetical strains. All travellers describe the beauty which the circular area of Bedouin tents impart to the desert. How impressive, then, must have been the view, as seen from the heights of Abarim, of the immense camp of Israel extended over the subjacent plains.Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 24:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Numbers 24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries