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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 24:4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/04_Num_24_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:4 - Balaam's Third Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:" /><script 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/24.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling <i>into a trance</i>, but having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The declaration of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who beholds the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes opened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The oracle of one who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, but having his eyes open <i>and</i> uncovered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He saith, who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It comes from the LORD, the God All-Powerful. I bowed down to him and saw a vision of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He saith, which heareth the words of God, Which seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is the message of the one who hears the words of God, has a vision from the Almighty, and falls [into a trance] with his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Who can hear what God is saying. With staring eyes I see in a trance A vision from Almighty God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He hath said, who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God, "" Who sees a vision of the Almighty, "" Falling—and eyes uncovered:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God -- Who a vision of the Almighty seeth, Falling -- and eyes uncovered:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He said, hearing the sayings of God, who will see the vision of the Almighty, falling, and the eyes being uncovered:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The hearer of the words of God hath said, he that hath beheld the vision of the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his eyes are opened: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />the hearer of the sermon of God, he who has gazed upon a vision of the Almighty, he who falls down and so his eyes are opened, has declared:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The oracle of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, in rapture and with eyes unveiled: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, but with eyes uncovered:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He has said, who heard the word of God, who saw the vision of God, falling into a trance but having his eyes open:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He who heard the speech of God and seeing the appearance of God said, when raising and opening his eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The saying of him who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Fallen down, yet with opened eyes:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />he says who hears the oracle of the Mighty One, who saw a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=7517" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Balaam's Third Oracle</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">the prophecy</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šō·mê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">of one who hears</a> <a href="/hebrew/561.htm" title="561: ’im·rê- (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From 'amar; something said.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">of God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/2372.htm" title="2372: ye·ḥĕ·zeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- See, behold. A primitive root; to gaze at; mentally, to perceive, contemplate; specifically, to have a vision of.">sees</a> <a href="/hebrew/4236.htm" title="4236: ma·ḥă·zêh (N-msc) -- A vision. From chazah; a vision.">a vision</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: šad·day (N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">from the Almighty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: nō·p̄êl (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">who bows down</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nā·yim (N-cd) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">with eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: ū·ḡə·lui (Conj-w:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">wide open:</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-38.htm">Numbers 22:38</a></span><br />“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Numbers 23:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-16.htm">Numbers 23:16</a></span><br />And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-26.htm">Numbers 23:26</a></span><br />But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-21.htm">2 Peter 1:21</a></span><br />For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-35</a></span><br />Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a></span><br />(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-6.htm">1 Samuel 10:6</a></span><br />Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-20.htm">1 Samuel 19:20-24</a></span><br />he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy. / When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy. / Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Isaiah 44:26</a></span><br />who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a></span><br />In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-12.htm">Ezekiel 3:12-14</a></span><br />Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!” / It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound. / So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/37-1.htm">Ezekiel 37:1</a></span><br />The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He has said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/exodus/6-3.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/numbers/21-1.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Open</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/daniel/8-17.htm">Prostrate</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/acts/22-17.htm">Trance</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-12.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Open</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Prostrate</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Trance</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Balak, in anger, dismisses him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/24.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/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>the prophecy of one who hears the words of God</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine revelation, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice. In the context of Numbers, Balaam is a non-Israelite prophet who receives messages from God, highlighting that God's communication is not limited to Israel alone. This echoes the broader biblical theme that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes, as seen with figures like Cyrus in <a href="/isaiah/45.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a>. The act of hearing God's words is central to the prophetic role, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</a>, where God promises to raise a prophet like Moses who will speak His words.<p><b>who sees a vision from the Almighty</b><br>Visions are a common means of divine communication in the Bible, often providing insight into God's plans and purposes. The term "Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai) underscores God's supreme power and authority. Balaam's vision is significant because it comes from the Almighty, lending it weight and authority. This aligns with other biblical visions, such as those of Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1), where the prophets receive profound revelations of God's glory and plans.<p><b>who bows down with eyes wide open</b><br>Bowing down signifies reverence and submission to God, a common response to divine encounters. The phrase "eyes wide open" suggests a state of spiritual awareness and readiness to receive God's message. This posture of humility and openness is essential for true prophetic insight, as seen in the experiences of other prophets like Daniel (<a href="/daniel/10-9.htm">Daniel 10:9</a>) and John in Revelation (<a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Revelation 1:17</a>). It reflects the biblical principle that God reveals His secrets to those who are humble and reverent before Him (<a href="/psalms/25-14.htm">Psalm 25:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers blessings as directed by God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The region where Balak rules, located east of the Dead Sea, representing opposition to Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak seeks to curse.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_almighty.htm">The Almighty (El Shaddai)</a></b><br>A name for God emphasizing His power and sovereignty, who reveals His will to Balaam.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/hearing_god's_words.htm">Hearing God's Words</a></b><br>Balaam's experience reminds us of the importance of listening to God's words. We should seek to hear God through Scripture and prayer, ensuring our actions align with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/vision_and_revelation.htm">Vision and Revelation</a></b><br>Balaam's vision from the Almighty teaches us that God can reveal His plans to anyone He chooses. We should remain open to God's guidance and be willing to act on His revelations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Balaam's posture of bowing with eyes wide open signifies humility and readiness to receive from God. We should approach God with humility, acknowledging His sovereignty in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite Balaam's initial intentions, God's sovereignty prevails. This assures us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human actions, and we can trust in His ultimate control over our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/blessing_instead_of_curse.htm">Blessing Instead of Curse</a></b><br>Balaam's blessing over Israel, instead of a curse, illustrates how God can turn intended harm into good. We should trust God to protect and bless us, even when others may wish us harm.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_signs_of_the_end_times.htm">What are the signs of the end times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_blame.htm">Why did the Millerites' prophecy fail in 1844?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_jehovah's_witnesses.htm">What are Jehovah's Witnesses and their core beliefs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_numbers_24_17's_star.htm">How do we reconcile the prophecy of a 'star out of Jacob' in Numbers 24:17 with the lack of historical or astronomical evidence for such an event?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.--</span>Better, <span class= "ital">falling </span>(<span class= "ital">upon his face</span>)<span class= "ital">, and having his eyes opened. </span>The physical effect produced upon Balaam appears to have been the same as that which was produced upon Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/19-24.htm" title="And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Why they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?">1Samuel 19:24</a>), upon Ezekiel (Num. i 28), upon Daniel (Num. viii, 17. 18). and upon St. John (<a href="/revelation/1-17.htm" title="And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:">Revelation 1:17</a>). The word which is here rendered "open" (<span class= "ital">gelui</span>) is a different word from that which is so rendered in <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm" title="And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came on him.">Numbers 24:2</a>, and is frequently used in reference to Divine communications and spiritual intuition. There may be a reference to the events which befel Balaam on his journey (<a href="/numbers/22-31.htm" title="Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.">Numbers 22:31</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Falling into a trance.</span> Rather, "falling down." <span class="accented">Qui cadit</span>, Vulgate. The case of Saul, who "fell down naked all that day" (<a href="/1_samuel/19-24.htm">1 Samuel 19:24</a>), overcome by the illapse of the Spirit, affords the best comparison. Physically, it would seem to have been a kind of catalepsy, in which the senses were closed to outward things, and the eyes open but unseeing. The word for "open" in this verse is the ordinary one, not that used in verse 3. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">the prophecy</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of one who hears</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֖עַ</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the words</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמְרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(’im·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_561.htm">Strong's 561: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something said</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sees</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶֽחֱזֶ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ye·ḥĕ·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2372.htm">Strong's 2372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a vision</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲזֵ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·zêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4236.htm">Strong's 4236: </a> </span><span class="str2">A vision</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the Almighty,</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁדַּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(šad·day)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who bows down</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹפֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(nō·p̄êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wide open:</span><br /><span class="heb">וּגְל֥וּי</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḡə·lui)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1540.htm">Strong's 1540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To denude, to exile, to reveal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:4 He says who hears the words (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:5" /></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>