Balaam's Third Oracle

1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face towards the wilderness. 2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, 3and he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,24:3 Or closed, or perfect; also verse 15

4the oracle of him who hears the words of God,

who sees the vision of the Almighty,

falling down with his eyes uncovered:

5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,

your encampments, O Israel!

6Like palm groves24:6 Or valleys that stretch afar,

like gardens beside a river,

like aloes that the LORD has planted,

like cedar trees beside the waters.

7Water shall flow from his buckets,

and his seed shall be in many waters;

his king shall be higher than Agag,

and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8God brings him out of Egypt

and is for him like the horns of the wild ox;

he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries,

and shall break their bones in pieces

and pierce them through with his arrows.

9He crouched, he lay down like a lion

and like a lioness; who will rouse him up?

Blessed are those who bless you,

and cursed are those who curse you.”

10And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. 11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honour you’, but the LORD has held you back from honour.” 12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’? 14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam's Final Oracle

15And he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

16the oracle of him who hears the words of God,

and knows the knowledge of the Most High,

who sees the vision of the Almighty,

falling down with his eyes uncovered:

17I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near:

a star shall come out of Jacob,

and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel;

it shall crush the forehead24:17 Hebrew corners [of the head] of Moab

and break down all the sons of Sheth.

18Edom shall be dispossessed;

Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.

Israel is doing valiantly.

19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion

and destroy the survivors of cities!”

20Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said,

“Amalek was the first among the nations,

but its end is utter destruction.”

21And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said,

“Enduring is your dwelling place,

and your nest is set in the rock.

22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned

when Asshur takes you away captive.”

23And he took up his discourse and said,

“Alas, who shall live when God does this?

24But ships shall come from Kittim

and shall afflict Asshur and Eber;

and he too shall come to utter destruction.”

25Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.