Balaam's Final Oracle

Numbers 24

15 So he uttered his oracle, saying:

"The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is clear, 1
16 the oracle of one who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of the Most High, 2
who sees the vision of the Almighty, 3
who falls down, but with his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near--
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the borderlands 4 of Moab,
and the territory 5 of all the Shethites.
18 Edom will become a possession,
Seir a possession of its enemies, 6
while Israel does valiantly.
19 One out of Jacob shall rule,
and destroy the survivors of Ir."

20 Then he looked on Amalek, and uttered his oracle, saying:

"First among the nations was Amalek,
but its end is to perish forever."

21 Then he looked on the Kenite, and uttered his oracle, saying:

"Enduring is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in the rock;
22 yet Kain is destined for burning.
How long shall Asshur take you away captive?"

23 Again he uttered his oracle, saying:

"Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24 But ships shall come from Kittim
and shall afflict Asshur and Eber;
and he also shall perish forever."

25 Then Balaam got up and went back to his place, and Balak also went his way.

Next Book Next Book