Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryNumbers 24

Numbers 24:1: Balaam Blesses Israel a Third Time This passage tells how Balaam blesses Israel for the third time. Unlike before, Balaam does not use any magic or seek omens, but simply looks at Israel’s camp and speaks the words God gives him. The blessing is similar to the earlier ones, but the introduction is different. The Spirit of God comes on Balaam, and he praises the beauty, growth, strength, and safety of Israel. This blessing also repeats God’s promise to bless those who bless Israel and to curse those who curse them.v. 1: Balaam realizes that God wants to bless Israel, so he stops using enchantments or magic tricks. He faces the wilderness and looks at Israel’s camp, ready to speak only what God says .

v. 2: Balaam sees Israel camped in their tribes, in perfect order. The Spirit of God comes upon him, showing that his words will be from God, not from himself .

v. 3-4: Balaam begins his message with a special introduction. He says that he is a man whose eyes are open and who hears God’s words and sees God’s visions. Balaam is proud of his spiritual experiences, but it is God, not Balaam, who gives the message (Numbers 24:3-4; 2 Samuel 23:1-3 ).

v. 5-6: Balaam admires how beautiful and orderly Israel’s tents are. He compares them to valleys, gardens, and trees planted by the Lord

v. 7: Balaam says Israel will be fruitful and will have plenty of water and blessings. Their king will be greater than Agag, a powerful ruler. This points to Israel’s future greatness .

v. 8: Balaam remembers that God brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them great strength, like a wild ox. Israel will defeat their enemies and grow stronger from their victories (Numbers 24:8; Job 39:9-10 ).

v. 9: Balaam describes Israel as a lion that lies down without fear. Israel will be safe because God protects them. He repeats God’s promise: those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed (Numbers 24:9; Genesis 12:3 ; Psalm 4:8 ).

Numbers 24:10: Balak's Remonstrance This passage shows the end of Balak’s attempts to get Balaam to curse Israel. After three times of trying and failing, Balak becomes angry and gives up on his plan. He blames Balaam for his disappointment, saying that Balaam has worked against him instead of helping. Balaam, however, explains that he could only speak what God allowed. Though Balak offers no reward, Balaam still gives him some final advice and prophecies about the future. This moment marks the end of Balak’s hope to destroy Israel through curses, but it also shows that God’s blessing cannot be stopped by human plans.v. 10: Balak is furious with Balaam. He claps his hands together in anger and accuses Balaam of betraying him by blessing Israel instead of cursing them. Balak feels tricked and is upset that all his efforts have failed .

v. 11: Balak tells Balaam to go home and says he will not give him any reward or honor. He blames Balaam’s obedience to God for missing out on the riches and promotion he had promised .

v. 12-13: Balaam answers that he had already warned Balak that he could only say what the Lord

v. 14: Balaam offers to tell Balak what will happen to his people in the future, giving some prophecies about the nations nearby. He also hints that Israel will not trouble Moab until the distant future, so Balak does not need to fear right now. However, Balaam also gives Balak advice (not written here but mentioned later in Numbers 31:16 and Revelation 2:14 ) on how to tempt Israel through idolatry, since he cannot curse them directly.

Numbers 24:15: Balaam's Prophecy In this passage, Balaam gives a prophecy about the future of Israel and the nations around them. Although he blessed Israel before, now he also foretells future events as a prophet. His prophecy looks far ahead, speaking about the rise of Israel’s king, the coming of the Messiah, and the fate of other nations. Balaam’s words show that God’s plans for His people and the world are sure and cannot be changed.v. 15-16: Balaam introduces his prophecy. He claims to have open eyes, to have heard God’s words, and to know God’s knowledge. He calls God the Most High and the Almighty, speaking as if he is a true prophet, even though he does not truly love or fear God (Numbers 24:15-16; 1 Samuel 9:9 ).

v. 17-18: Balaam prophesies about a great ruler who will come from Israel. First, this refers to King David, who would defeat Moab and Edom (2 Samuel 8:2 ). More importantly, this prophecy points to Jesus, the Messiah, the “star out of Jacob” and the “scepter out of Israel,” who will rule over all people. Balaam says he sees this ruler in the future, not now, showing the prophecy is for a later time (Numbers 24:17-18; Matthew 2:2 ; Job 19:25; 1 Corinthians 15:24 ).

v. 19: Balaam says that a ruler will come from Jacob who will have power over many, showing the coming greatness of Israel’s king and, in a greater sense, the rule of Christ over all nations .

v. 20: Balaam then speaks about the Amalekites, saying they are strong now, but one day they will be destroyed forever. This fulfills God’s promise to have war with Amalek until they are gone (Numbers 24:20; Exodus 15:14,16 ).

v. 21-22: Balaam prophesies about the Kenites, who seem safe because they live in the rocks. But even they will be taken captive and brought to ruin by the Assyrians, showing that no nation can trust in its own strength forever (Numbers 24:21-22 ).

v. 23: Balaam introduces another prophecy with a sense of sadness, saying, “Who shall live when God does this?” He recognizes that all these events are under God’s control and will bring great changes and trouble (Numbers 24:23; Revelation 6:8 ).

v. 24: Balaam predicts that people will come in ships from the land of Chittim (often understood as Greece or Rome) and will defeat Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (other nations). But eventually, even these powerful nations will perish. This points to the rise and fall of great empires, including the Greeks and Romans, and finally, God’s everlasting kingdom (Numbers 24:24; Daniel 2:34 ).