Numbers 24:5-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 24:1-9

The blessing itself which Balaam here pronounces upon Israel is much the same with the two we had in the foregoing chapter; but the introduction to it is different. I. The method of proceeding here varies much in several instances. 1. Balaam laid aside the enchantments which he had hitherto depended on, used no spells, or charms, or magic arts, finding they did him no service; it was to no purpose to deal with the devil for a curse, when it was plain that God was determined immovably to bless,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 24:5

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob ,.... Not that the matter of which they were made was so rich, or their structure so admirable, but the order in which they were placed was so beautiful and agreeable: and thy tabernacles, O Israel ; which is the same thing in other words, and which may be applied figuratively to the church of God, which often goes by the names of Jacob and Israel; and agrees with particular congregations and assemblies of saints, where they dwell as in tents in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 24:6

As the valleys are they spread forth ,.... Long and broad, lying between several mountains, and reaching from hill to hill; so the armies of Israel lay encamped in the plains and villages of Moab, making a very considerable length and breadth; the camp of Israel is said to be twelve miles long, and twelve miles broad; so the Targum on Numbers 2:3 and this may denote the lowness of the saints and people of God in their own eyes, and their largeness in themselves; and especially when the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 24:7

He shall pour the water out of his buckets ,.... That is, God shall plentifully send down rain out of the clouds upon these valleys, gardens, and trees, and make them fruitful; and this may be a figure of the grace of God, with which his churches are watered, and become fruitful by means of the word and ordinances, which is conveyed through them out of the fulness which is in Christ: and his seed shall be in many waters ; the seed and offspring of Israel shall be in a place of many... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 24:8

God brought him forth out of Egypt, he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn ,.... Here he repeats what he had said in a former prophecy; see Gill on Numbers 23:22 , he shall eat up the nations his enemies: the seven nations of Canaan, which should be subdued by Israel, and that with as much ease as a lion devours its prey; nor would the Canaanites be able to make any more resistance to them than a creature in the paws of a lion; and the phrase denotes the utter destruction of them: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 24:9

He couched ,.... Which may respect the posture of the armies of Israel in the plains of Moab: he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion ; as he would do, and did in the land of Canaan, when conquered by Israel; they took up their residence on it quietly, and dwelt in it securely, and in no more fear of their enemies than a lion, which lays itself down and sleeps without concern anywhere: who shall stir him up ? who dare do it? as it would be a very rash, bold, daring, and dangerous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:6

Lign aloes which the Lord hath planted - Or, as the tents which the Lord hath pitched; for it is the same word, אהלים ohalim , which is used in the 5th verse. But from other parts of Scripture we find that the word also signifies a species of tree, called by some the sandal tree, and by others the lignum or wood aloes. This tree is described as being eight or ten feet high, with very large leaves growing at the top; and it is supposed that a forest of those at some distance must bear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:7

He shall pour the water out of his buckets, etc. - Here is a very plain allusion to their method of raising water in different parts of the East. By the well a tall pole is erected, which serves as a fulcrum to a very long lever, to the smaller end of which a bucket is appended. On the opposite end, which is much larger, are many notches cut in the wood, which serve as steps for a man, whose business it is to climb up to the fulcrum, in order to lower the bucket into the well, which, when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:8

God brought him forth out of Egypt - They were neither expelled thence, nor came voluntarily away. God alone, with a high hand and uplifted arm, brought them forth. Concerning the unicorn, see Numbers 23:22 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:9

He couched, he lay down as a lion, etc. - See the original terms explained Numbers 23:24 ; (note). These oracles, delivered by Balaam, are evident prophecies of the victories which the Israelites should gain over their enemies, and of their firm possession of the promised land. They may also refer to the great victories to be obtained by the Lord Jesus Christ, that Lion of the tribe of Judah, over sin, death, and Satan, the grand enemies of the human race; and to that most numerous... read more

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