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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 24:23 Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: "Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/04_Num_24_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:23 - Balaam's Final Three Oracles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/24-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/24-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/24.htm">Chapter 24</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/24-22.htm" title="Numbers 24:22">◄</a> Numbers 24:23 <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm" title="Numbers 24:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />Then he spoke his message: &#8220Alas! Who can live when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he took up his discourse and said, “Oh, who can live unless God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then he took up his discourse and said, &#8220Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he took up his discourse and said, “Woe, who can live except when God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then he took up his [seventh] discourse (oracle) and said: “Alas, who can live unless God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Once more he proclaimed his poem: Ah, who can live when God does this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"No one can survive if God plans destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He delivered this message: "Oh no! Who will live when God decides to do this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Balaam uttered this prophecy: "Who are these people gathering in the north? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Finally, he uttered this prophetic statement: "Ah, who can live, unless God makes it happen?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: ?Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then he uttered this oracle: "O, who will survive when God does this! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He took up his parable, and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he takes up his allegory and says: “Woe! Who lives when God does this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he taketh up his simile, and saith: 'Alas! who doth live when God doth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will take up his parable, and say, Wo! who shall live, God doing this?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And taking up his parable, again he said: Alas, who shall live when God shall do these things? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And taking up his parable once more he said: “Alas! Who will be able to survive, when God will do these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Upon seeing [the Ishmaelites?] he recited his poem: Alas, who shall survive of Ishmael, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Again he uttered his oracle, saying: “Alas, who shall live when God does this?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he took up his parable and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he lifted his proverb and said: “Woe! Who shall live when God puts these down?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said: Alas, who shall live after God hath appointed him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he looked upon Og, and took up his parable and said, Oh, oh, who shall live, when God shall do these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-23.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=7701" 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 Final Three Oracles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.” <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·śā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">Once more Balaam lifted up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4912.htm" title="4912: mə·šā·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A proverb, parable. ">an oracle,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying:</a> <a href="/hebrew/188.htm" title="188: ’ō·w (Interjection) -- Woe! Probably from 'avah; lamentation; also interjectionally Oh!">“Ah,</a> <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/2421.htm" title="2421: yiḥ·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">can live</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.">unless God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: miś·śu·mōw (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">has ordained it?</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”…<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="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29-31</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-40.htm">Jeremiah 48:40-47</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab. / Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor. / Moab will be destroyed as a nation because he vaunted himself against the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-1.htm">Obadiah 1:1-4</a></span><br />This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”— / “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised. / The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-8</a></span><br />When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. / And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Jeremiah 49:7-22</a></span><br />Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11-12</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-6</a></span><br />Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Isaiah 21:11-12</a></span><br />This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” / The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-1.htm">Isaiah 15:1-9</a></span><br />This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/16-1.htm">Isaiah 16:1-14</a></span><br />Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion. / Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon: / “Give us counsel; render a decision. Shelter us at noonday with shade as dark as night. Hide the refugees; do not betray the one who flees. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">Isaiah 13:1-22</a></span><br />This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received: / Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. / I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">Isaiah 14:1-23</a></span><br />For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. / The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. / On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-1.htm">Isaiah 47:1-15</a></span><br />“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate. / Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-1.htm">Revelation 18:1-24</a></span><br />After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. / And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. / All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!</p><p class="hdg">Chittim</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-4.htm">Genesis 10:4</a></b></br> And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/23-1.htm">Isaiah 23:1</a></b></br> The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/7-19.htm">Daniel 7:19,20</a></b></br> Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth <i>were of</i> iron, and his nails <i>of</i> brass; <i>which</i> devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; … </p><p class="hdg">and shall afflict Eber</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-21.htm">Genesis 10:21-25</a></b></br> Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were <i>children</i> born… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-13.htm">Genesis 14:13</a></b></br> And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these <i>were</i> confederate with Abram.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/9-26.htm">Daniel 9:26,27</a></b></br> And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof <i>shall be</i> with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined… </p><p class="hdg">and he also</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Daniel 2:35,45</a></b></br> Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/7-23.htm">Daniel 7:23-26</a></b></br> Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/11-45.htm">Daniel 11:45</a></b></br> And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/11-35.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/numbers/16-2.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/16-13.htm">Except</a> <a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/3-3.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Story</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Uttered</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/15-49.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/joshua/7-7.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/job/11-4.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/26-65.htm">Except</a> <a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Live</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-23.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/28-6.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/job/27-1.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-37.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/joshua/4-22.htm">Story</a> <a href="/numbers/30-6.htm">Uttered</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>Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is known for his oracles concerning Israel. Despite being hired by Balak to curse Israel, Balaam's oracles are divinely inspired blessings. This phrase indicates a continuation of his prophetic declarations. Balaam's role as a prophet outside of Israel highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to use anyone to fulfill His purposes. The term "oracle" suggests a message of divine origin, emphasizing the seriousness and authority of Balaam's words.<p><b>“Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?</b><br>This rhetorical question underscores the belief in God's ultimate control over life and death. It reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty, as seen in passages like <a href="/job/12-10.htm">Job 12:10</a>, which states that the life of every creature is in God's hand. The phrase suggests that human existence is contingent upon God's will, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that God is the giver and sustainer of life. This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is described as the one through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together (<a href="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a>, <a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17</a>). The phrase also serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's plans, as seen in Balaam's inability to curse Israel despite Balak's desires.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers blessings and prophecies from 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>A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, is concerned about the advancing Israelites.<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 fears and seeks to curse.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/oracle.htm">Oracle</a></b><br>A divine message or prophecy, in this context delivered by Balaam under God's influence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_life.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Life</a></b><br>Recognize that life and death are under God's control. Our existence is not random but ordained by God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Trust that God's plans for us are good, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_opposing_god's_will.htm">The Futility of Opposing God's Will</a></b><br>Understand that no human effort can thwart God's purposes. Like Balaam, we should align ourselves with God's will rather than oppose it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Balaam's account teaches us the importance of obedience to God, even when external pressures push us otherwise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_over_his_people.htm">God's Protection Over His People</a></b><br>Just as God protected Israel from Balak's curses, He protects His people today. We can find comfort in His divine protection.<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_is_the_doctrine_of_balaam.htm">What is the Doctrine of Balaam?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_balaam's_differing_portrayals.htm">How should we address the seeming discrepancy between Balaam's portrayal here in Numbers 24 and other biblical texts that condemn him (e.g., 2 Peter 2:15)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_male_in_numbers_23_19.htm">Is God a man according to Numbers 23:19?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind.htm">Does God change His mind? (Numbers 23:19 vs. Exodus 32:14)</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>(23) <span class= "bld">When God doeth this.--</span>These words may be rendered, <span class= "ital">since </span>(or, <span class= "ital">from the time that</span>)<span class= "ital"> God sets </span>(or, <span class= "ital">determines</span>)<span class= "ital"> it </span>(or, <span class= "ital">this</span>)--<span class= "ital">quando faciet ista Deus </span>(Vulgate); or, <span class= "ital">because God determines it </span>(or, <span class= "ital">this</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When God doeth this.</span> Literally, "from the settling of it by God." <span class="hebrew">מִשֻּׂמו אֵל</span>, i.e., when God shall bring these terrible things to pass. Septuagint, <span class="greek">ὅταν θῇ</span> <span class="greek">ταῦτα ὁ θεός</span>. This exclamation refers to the woe which he is about to pronounce, which involved his own people also. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-23.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">Once more [Balaam] lifted up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשָּׂ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an oracle,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשָׁל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šā·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4912.htm">Strong's 4912: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pithy maxim, a simile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying:</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Ah,</span><br /><span class="heb">א֕וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_188.htm">Strong's 188: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lamentation, Oh!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can live</span><br /><span class="heb">יִחְיֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(yiḥ·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unless God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽל׃</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">has ordained it?</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשֻּׂמ֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(miś·śu·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-23.htm">Numbers 24:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-23.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:23 He took up his parable and said (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:24" /></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>