1 When Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] saw that it pleased Adonai to bless Israel [God prevails], he didn’t go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel [God prevails] dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him. 3 He took up his parable, and said,
“Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] the son of Beor says,
the man whose eyes are open says;
4 he says, who sh'ma ·hears obeys· the words of God,
who sees the vision of Shaddai [Almighty],
falling down, and having his eyes open:
5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob [Supplanter],
and your tents, Israel [God prevails]!
6 As valleys they are spread out,
as gardens by the riverside,
as aloes which Adonai has planted,
as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 Water shall flow from his buckets.
His seed shall be in many waters.
His king shall be higher than Agag.
His kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brings him out of Egypt [Abode of slavery].
He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
He shall eat up the nations his adversaries,
shall break their bones in pieces,
and pierce them with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion,
as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?
Everyone who blesses you is blessed.
Everyone who curses you is cursed.”
10 Balak’s anger burned against Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people], and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people], “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Adonai has kept you back from honor.”
12 Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying, 13 ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Adonai ’s word, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what Adonai says’? (LY:7) 14 Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
15 He took up his parable, and said,
“Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] the son of Beor says,
the man whose eyes are open says;
16 he says, who sh'ma ·hears obeys· the words of God,
aMPr: Rambam explains: “I see him but not now,” this refers to David [Beloved]; “I behold him but not nigh” this refers to King Messiah; “A star shall step forth out of Jacob,” this refers to King David; “and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” this refers to King Messiah. (Mishne Torah [Second Torah] written by RamBam – Hilchot Melachim, c. 11-12). (King David fulfilled 1 Chr 18:2; Messiah fulfilled Is 49:6; Ps 45:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 26:23; Rev 11:15)
bMP: Star out of Jacob [Supplanter]. Star and Scepter (Gen 49:10) together identify royal leadership. (Matt 2:1-2; Luke 1:30-33)
cMPr: Balaam’s prophecies about “the Star from Jacob” and “the scepter from Israel [God prevails]” (Num 24:17) crushing Moab [From father] refers to Messiah. (Num 24:17 in Targum Onkelos, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Midrash Deuteronomy 1, and Midrash Lamentations 2:2). (Historically fulfilled 1 Chr 18:2; Prophecy still Rev 20:7-9)
dMP: Kingdom reign was first fulfilled by King David against Edom and Moab. Reference to the (Gen 49:10) scepter is finally fulfilled in the Messiah’s kingdom. (Rev 22:16)
