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Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my final end be like theirs!&#8221 <a href="/nlt/numbers/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust? Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people? Let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs.” <a href="/esv/numbers/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” <a href="/bsb/numbers/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!” <a href="/kjv/numbers/23.htm">King James Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! <a href="/nkjv/numbers/23.htm">New King James Version</a> “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my end be like his!” <a href="/nasb_/numbers/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Who has counted the dust of Jacob, Or the number of the fourth part of Israel? May I die the death of the upright, And may my end be like his!” <a href="/nasb/numbers/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/numbers/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!” <a href="/lsb/numbers/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Who can number the dust of Jacob, Or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!” <a href="/amp/numbers/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Who can count the dust (the descendants) of Jacob And the number of even the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God], And let my end be like his!” <a href="/csb/numbers/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered even one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my life be like theirs. <a href="/hcsb/numbers/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered the dust clouds of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my life be like theirs.&#8221 <a href="/asv/numbers/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his! <a href="/cev/numbers/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They are living alone in peace. And though they are many, they don't bother the other nations. "I hope to obey God for as long as I live and to die in such peace." <a href="/erv/numbers/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his! <a href="/gwt/numbers/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The descendants of Jacob are like specks of dust. Who can count them or number even one-fourth of the people of Israel? Let me die the death of innocent people. Let my end be like theirs." <a href="/gnt/numbers/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> The descendants of Israel are like the dust--There are too many of them to be counted. Let me end my days like one of God's people; Let me die in peace like the righteous." <a href="/isv/numbers/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him." <a href="/msb/numbers/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!? <a href="/net/numbers/23.htm">NET Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let the end of my life be like theirs." <a href="/nheb/numbers/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, and who has numbered the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous. Let my last end be like his." <a href="/wbt/numbers/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! <a href="/web/numbers/23.htm">World English Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous! Let my last end be like his!” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Who has counted the dust of Jacob, "" And the number of the fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of upright ones, "" And let my last end be like his!” <a href="/ylt/numbers/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of upright ones, And let my last end be like his!' <a href="/slt/numbers/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Who divided out the dust of Jacob and who numbered the fourth of Israel? My soul shall die the death of the just, and my latter state shall be as his.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, and know the number of the stock of Israel? Let my soul die the death of the just, and my last end be like to them. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Who can number the dust that is Jacob, and who can know the number of the stock of Israel? May my soul die a just death, and may my end be like theirs.” <a href="/nabre/numbers/23.htm">New American Bible</a> Who has ever counted the dust of Jacob, who numbered Israel’s dust-cloud? May I die the death of the just, may my end be like theirs! <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the dust-cloud of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Who can count the multitude of the descendants of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like theirs! <a href="/hpbt/numbers/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Who can count the troubles of Yaquuv and the number of the fourth of Israel? May my soul die the death of their upright ones and may my end be like them.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, Or numbered the stock of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let mine end be like his! <a href="/sep/numbers/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Who has exactly calculated the seed of Jacob, and who shall number the families of Israel? let my soul die with the souls of the righteous, and let my seed be as their seed. <a href="/parallel/numbers/23-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=7308" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/23.htm">Balaam's First Oracle</a> …9For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. 10<a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4487.htm" title="4487: mā·nāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll.">can count</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ă·p̄ar (N-msc) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">of Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: ū·mis·pār (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">or number</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7255.htm" title="7255: rō·ḇa‘ (N-msc) -- Fourth part. From raba'; a quarter.">even a fourth</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">Let me</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: tā·mōṯ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3fs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mō·wṯ (N-msc) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">the death</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: yə·šā·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">of the righteous;</a> <a href="/hebrew/319.htm" title="319: ’a·ḥă·rî·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- The after-part, end. From 'achar; the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity.">let my end</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: ū·ṯə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kā·mō·hū (Prep:: 3ms) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">like theirs!”</a> 11Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a> I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a> And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a> Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. <a href="/exodus/32-13.htm">Exodus 32:13</a> Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” <a href="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Deuteronomy 1:10</a> The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:7</a> The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-22.htm">Deuteronomy 10:22</a> Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. <a href="/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8</a> Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. <a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">Hosea 1:10</a> Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ <a href="/romans/9-27.htm">Romans 9:27</a> Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Romans 11:1-5</a> I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ... <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7-9</a> Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” / So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12</a> And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/revelation/7-9.htm">Revelation 7:9</a> After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!can count<a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a> And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a> And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.the dust.<a href="/numbers/2-9.htm">Numbers 2:9,16,24,31</a> All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth… me.<a href="/psalms/37-37.htm">Psalm 37:37</a> Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.<a href="/psalms/116-15.htm">Psalm 116:15</a> Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.<a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm">Proverbs 14:32</a> The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/22-41.htm">Able</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Count</a> <a href="/numbers/18-30.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Die</a> <a href="/numbers/19-17.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">End</a> <a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/numbers/10-25.htm">Last</a> <a href="/numbers/15-9.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/21-18.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/22-41.htm">Part</a> <a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-47.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/numbers/18-9.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/numbers/10-36.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/numbers/31-26.htm">Count</a> <a href="/numbers/26-57.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/26-11.htm">Die</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">End</a> <a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/numbers/24-18.htm">Last</a> <a href="/numbers/35-5.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/numbers/25-9.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">Part</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-8.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/5-24.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/numbers/34-14.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/numbers/31-5.htm">Thousands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-18.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 23</div>1. <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Balak's sacrifices</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Who can count the dust of Jacob This phrase reflects the promise given to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a>, where God promised to make his descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. It emphasizes the vastness and growth of the Israelite nation, which was a fulfillment of God's covenant. The imagery of "dust" signifies an innumerable multitude, highlighting God's blessing and faithfulness to His promises. This also connects to the idea of Israel's enduring legacy and God's sovereign plan for His chosen people.or number even a fourth of Israel? This part underscores the immense size and strength of the nation of Israel, suggesting that even a fraction of them is beyond human ability to count. It reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants. The mention of "a fourth" may imply the division of the tribes or the vastness of the population, emphasizing the blessing and prosperity that God has bestowed upon Israel. This also serves as a reminder of God's power and the fulfillment of His promises.Let me die the death of the righteous; This phrase expresses a desire for a blessed and honorable end, akin to that of the righteous. In the Old Testament context, dying the death of the righteous implies being in right standing with God and receiving His favor. It reflects a longing for a legacy of faithfulness and integrity. The righteous are often associated with those who live according to God's laws and commands, and their death is seen as peaceful and honorable. This can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate righteousness found in Jesus Christ, who provides the way for believers to be counted as righteous before God.let my end be like theirs! The speaker desires an end similar to that of the righteous, which implies a hope for eternal reward and peace. In biblical terms, the end of the righteous is often associated with being gathered to one's people, as seen in the deaths of the patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This reflects a hope for a legacy that aligns with God's will and a life that culminates in His blessing. It also points to the eschatological hope found in the New Testament, where believers in Christ are promised eternal life and a place in God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a> A non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead, he ends up blessing them under God's influence. 2. <a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a> The king of Moab who feared the Israelites due to their large numbers and sought to weaken them through a curse. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who were journeying to the Promised Land. They are described metaphorically as "dust" due to their vast numbers. 4. <a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a> A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, felt threatened by the Israelites' presence. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_plains_of_moab.htm">The Plains of Moab</a> The location where Balaam delivered his oracles, including the blessing found in <a href="/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a> Despite human intentions, God's will prevails. Balaam was hired to curse Israel, but God turned the curse into a blessing. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_righteousness.htm">The Value of Righteousness</a> Balaam's desire to die the death of the righteous highlights the eternal value of living a life pleasing to God. We should strive for righteousness, knowing it leads to a blessed end. <a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_god's_promises.htm">The Fulfillment of God's Promises</a> The metaphor of Israel as "dust" reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perspective.htm">The Importance of Perspective</a> Balaam's perspective shifted from cursing to blessing when he saw Israel from God's viewpoint. We should seek God's perspective in our situations to align our actions with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23</a> <a href="/q/is_a_pagan_prophet's_blessing_credible.htm">Numbers 23:8-10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king's demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives?</a> <a href="/q/plague_deaths__24,000_or_23,000.htm">How many died in the plague after the Israelites' adultery with Moab's daughters: 24,000 (Numbers 25:1, 9) or 23,000 (I Corinthians 10:8)?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_exodus'_wild_ox_claim.htm">Numbers 23:22-24: Is there historical or scientific support for a mass exodus and the claim of supernatural might symbolized by 'the strength of a wild ox'?</a> <a href="/q/why_hasn't_jesus_returned_as_promised.htm">Matthew 10:23 - Why has Jesus not returned if he promised his disciples they wouldn't finish visiting all the towns of Israel before his coming?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) Who can count the dust of Jacob?--These words point back to the promise made to Abraham: "And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth," &c. (<a href="/genesis/13-16.htm" title="And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.">Genesis 13:16</a>).And the number of the fourth part of Israel.--The Israelites were divided into four great encampments (Numbers 2). It is probable that Balaam could only see one of these encampments from Bamoth-Baal (<a href="/numbers/22-41.htm" title="And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that there he might see the utmost part of the people.">Numbers 22:41</a>); but see below on <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm" title="And Balak said to him, Come, I pray you, with me to another place, from from where you may see them: you shall see but the utmost part of them, and shall not see them all: and curse me them from there.">Numbers 23:13</a>.The death of the righteous.--The Hebrew word yesharim (upright, or righteous) is applied to Israel because God, who is just and right (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm" title="He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>). had chosen His people to be a Jeshurun (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-15.htm" title="But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: you are waxen fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.">Deuteronomy 32:15</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/33-5.htm" title="And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.">Deuteronomy 33:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/33-26.htm" title="There is none like to the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heaven in your help, and in his excellency on the sky.">Deuteronomy 33:26</a>)--a holy and peculiar people, following after righteousness and judgment. The end of Balaam (<a href="/numbers/31-8.htm" title="And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.">Numbers 31:8</a>) presented a strange contrast to his prayer, and showed that even the prayer of the wicked is abomination in the sight of the Lord. (See <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm" title="He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.">Proverbs 28:9</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - The fourth part of Israel. אֶת־רבַע is so rendered by the Targums, as alluding to the four great camps into which the host was divided. The Septuagint has δήμους, apparently from an incorrect reading. The Samaritan and the older versions, followed by the Vulgate, render it "progeny,'" but this meaning is conjectural, and there seems no sufficient reason to depart from the common translation. Let me die the death of the righteous. The word "righteous" is in the plural (יְשָׁרִים, δικαίων): it may refer either to the Israelites as a holy nation, living and dying in the favour of God; or to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, the promises made to whom, in faith of which they died, were already so gloriously fulfilled. If the former reference was intended, Balaam must have had a much fuller and happier knowledge of "life and immortality" than the Israelites themselves, to whom death was dreadful, all the more that it ended a life protected and blessed by God (cf. e.g., <a href="/psalms/88-10.htm">Psalm 88:10-12</a>; <a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Isaiah 38:18, 19</a>). It is hardly credible that so singular an anticipation of purely Christian feeling should really be found in the mouth of a prophet of that day, for it is clear that the words, however much inspired, did express the actual emotion of Balaam at the moment. It is therefore more consistent with the facts and probabilities of the case to suppose that Balaam referred to righteous Abraham (cf. <a href="/isaiah/41-2.htm">Isaiah 41:2</a>) and his immediate descendants, and wished that when he came to die he might have as sure a hope as they had enjoyed that God would bless and multiply their seed, and make their name to be glorious in the earth. Let my last end be like his. אַחַרִית (last end) is the same word translated "latter days" and "latter end" in <a href="/numbers/24-14.htm">Numbers 24:14, 20</a>. It means the last state of a people or of a man as represented in his offspring; the sense is not incorrectly expressed by the Septuagint, γένοιτο τὸ σπέρμα μου ὡς τὸ σπέρμα τούτων. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/23-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Who מִ֤י (mî) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can count מָנָה֙ (mā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll the dust עֲפַ֣ר (‘ă·p̄ar) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud of Jacob יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc or number וּמִסְפָּ֖ר (ū·mis·pār) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> A number, definite, indefinite, narration [even] a fourth רֹ֣בַע (rō·ḇa‘) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7255.htm">Strong's 7255: </a> Fourth part of Israel? יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Let me נַפְשִׁי֙ (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion die תָּמֹ֤ת (tā·mōṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill the death מ֣וֹת (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the righteous; יְשָׁרִ֔ים (yə·šā·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> Straight, right let my end אַחֲרִיתִ֖י (’a·ḥă·rî·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_319.htm">Strong's 319: </a> The last, end, the future, posterity be וּתְהִ֥י (ū·ṯə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be like theirs!” כָּמֹֽהוּ׃ (kā·mō·hū) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> Like, as, when <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/23-10.htm">OT Law: Numbers 23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/23-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 23:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/23-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 23:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>