New English Translation
Numbers 24:6
6They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river’s side, like aloes that the Lord has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters.
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 the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: 5‘How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river’s side, like aloes that the Lord has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters. 7He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted. 8God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with 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 68:26In your large assemblies praise God, the Lord, in the assemblies of Israel!
- Proverbs 5:16Should your springs be dispersed outside, your streams of water in the wide plazas?
- Isaiah 48:1Listen to this, O family of Jacob, you who are called by the name ‘Israel,’ and are descended from Judah, who take oaths in the name of the Lord, and invoke the God of Israel – but not in an honest and just manner.
- Psalms 93:3The waves roar, O Lord, the waves roar, the waves roar and crash.
- Jeremiah 51:13“You who live along the rivers of Babylon, the time of your end has come. You who are rich in plundered treasure, it is time for your lives to be cut off.
- Revelation 17:1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me. “Come,” he said, “I will show you the condemnation and punishment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,
- Ezra 4:20Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates and who were the beneficiaries of tribute, custom, and toll.
- Psalms 2:6“I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.”
- Psalms 18:43You rescue me from a hostile army; you make me a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.
- John 1:49Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, 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 19:16He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
- 1 Samuel 15:8He captured King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but he executed all Agag’s people with the sword.
- 2 Samuel 5:12David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
- 1 Kings 4:21(5:1) Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms paid tribute as Solomon’s subjects throughout his lifetime.
- 1 Chronicles 14:2David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries