Revised Literal Translation
Numbers 24:6
6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which Yhwh hath planted, and as 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
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: 5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which Yhwh hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 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. 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.
Read all of Numbers 24Numbers 24:6 word by word
כִּנְחָלִ֣ים נִטָּ֔יוּ כְּגַנֹּ֖ת עֲלֵ֣י נָהָ֑ר כַּאֲהָלִים֙ נָטַ֣ע יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲרָזִ֖ים עֲלֵי־מָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
- 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 Yhwhיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- hath plantedנָטַעnâţa‛ · to plantH5193
- as cedar treesאֶ֫רֶז'erez · cedarH730
- beside the watersמַיmayim · waterH4325
Cross-references for Numbers 24:6
- Psalms 68:26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
- Proverbs 5:16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
- Isaiah 48:1Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of Yhwh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
- Psalms 93:3The floods have lifted up, O Yhwh, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
- Jeremiah 51:13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
- Revelation 17:1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
- Ezra 4:20There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
- Psalms 2:6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
- Psalms 18:43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
- John 1:49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
- Philippians 2:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
- Revelation 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
- 1 Samuel 15:8And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
- 2 Samuel 5:12And David perceived that Yhwh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
- 1 Kings 4:21And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- 1 Chronicles 14:2And David perceived that Yhwh had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because 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
Revised Literal Translation — © 2018 Michael W. Jones, Sr. — GPL
Commentaries