Numbers 24:19-21
New English Translation
19 A ruler will be established from Jacob;
he will destroy the remains of the city.’”[a]
Balaam’s Final Prophecies
20 Then Balaam[b] looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle:[c]
“Amalek was the first[d] of the nations,
but his end will be that he will perish.”
21 Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle:
“Your dwelling place seems strong,
and your nest[e] is set on a rocky cliff.
Footnotes
- Numbers 24:19 tn Or, understanding the Hebrew word for “city” as a place name, “of Ir” (cf. NRSV, NLT).
- Numbers 24:20 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Balaam) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Numbers 24:20 tn Heb “and he lifted up his oracle and said.” So also in vv. 21, 23.
- Numbers 24:20 sn This probably means that it held first place, or it thought that it was “the first of the nations.” It was not the first, either in order or greatness.
- Numbers 24:21 sn A pun is made on the name Kenite by using the word “your nest” (קִנֶּךָ, qinnekha); the location may be the rocky cliffs overlooking Petra.
Numbers 24:19-21
New International Version
19 A ruler will come out of Jacob(A)
and destroy the survivors of the city.”
Balaam’s Fifth Message
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek(B) and spoke his message:
“Amalek was first among the nations,
but their end will be utter destruction.”(C)
Balaam’s Sixth Message
21 Then he saw the Kenites(D) and spoke his message:
“Your dwelling place is secure,(E)
your nest is set in a rock;
Numbers 24:19-21
King James Version
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
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