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but his latter end <i>shall be</i> that he perish for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said: “Amalek <i>was</i> first among the nations, But <i>shall be</i> last until he perishes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end <i>shall be</i> destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, &#8220Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end <i>shall be</i> destruction.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end <i>shall be</i> destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Balaam looked at Amalek and took up his [fifth] discourse (oracle) and said: “Amalek was the first of the [neighboring] nations [to oppose the Israelites after they left Egypt], But his end shall be destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem: Amalek was first among the nations, but his future is destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"And I saw this vision about the Amalekites: Their nation is now great, but it will someday disappear forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Balaam saw the Amalekites and delivered this message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but in the end it will be destroyed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then in his vision Balaam saw the Amalekites and uttered this prophecy: "Amalek was the most powerful nation of all, But at the end it will perish forever." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Next, Balaam looked directly at Amalek and then uttered this prophetic statement: "Even though Amalek is an international leader, his future is permanent destruction."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: ?Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be that he shall perish for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall come to destruction.” <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 sees Amalek, and takes up his allegory, and says: “Amalek [is] first [among] nations, "" But his latter end—destruction forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he seeth Amalek, and taketh up his simile, and saith: 'A beginning of the Goyim is Amalek; And his latter end -- for ever he perisheth.'<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 see Amalek, and he will take up his parable, and say, Amalek the beginning of the nations, and his latter state he perished forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he saw Amalec, he took up his parable, and said: Amalec the beginning of nations, whose latter ends shall be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he saw Amalek, taking up his parable, he said: “Amalek, first among the Gentiles, whose very end shall be perdition.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Upon seeing Amalek, Balaam recited his poem: First of the nations is Amalek, but their end is to perish forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he looked on Amalek, and uttered his oracle, saying: “First among the nations was Amalek, but its end is to perish forever.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable and said, Amalek is the chief of the nations; but in the end he shall perish for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he saw Amaliq and he lifted up his proverb and said: “The Head of the nations, Amaliq, and his end will be destroyed for eternities.”<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 looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said: Amalek was the first of the nations; But his end shall come to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And having seen Amalec, he took up his parable and said, Amalec <i>is</i> the first of the nations; yet his seed shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-20.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=7678" 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">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">Then Balaam saw</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/6002.htm" title="6002: ‘ă·mā·lêq (N-proper-ms) -- A desc. of Esau, also his posterity. Probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country.">Amalek</a> <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.">and 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/6002.htm" title="6002: ‘ă·mā·lêq (N-proper-ms) -- A desc. of Esau, also his posterity. Probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country.">“Amalek</a> <a href="/hebrew/7225.htm" title="7225: rê·šîṯ (N-fsc) -- Beginning, chief. From the same as ro'sh; the first, in place, time, order or rank.">was first</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: gō·w·yim (N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">among the nations,</a> <a href="/hebrew/319.htm" title="319: wə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- The after-part, end. From 'achar; the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity.">but his end</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘ă·ḏê (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8.htm" title="8: ’ō·ḇêḏ (N-ms) -- Destruction. Active of participle of 'abad; wretched or destructin.">is destruction.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.…<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="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19</a></span><br />Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, / how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. / When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-2.htm">1 Samuel 15:2-3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">1 Samuel 15:7-9</a></span><br />Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt. / He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-17.htm">1 Samuel 30:17-18</a></span><br />And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. / So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/8-12.htm">2 Samuel 8:12</a></span><br />from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-43.htm">1 Chronicles 4:43</a></span><br />and struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped. And they have lived there to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Esther 3:1</a></span><br />After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/9-24.htm">Esther 9:24-25</a></span><br />For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. / But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4-7</a></span><br />saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” / For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— / the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</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.<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="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Jeremiah 49:7-8</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.<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.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.</p><p class="hdg">the Kenites</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-19.htm">Genesis 15:19</a></b></br> The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/1-16.htm">Judges 1:16</a></b></br> And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which <i>lieth</i> in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-18.htm">Job 29:18</a></b></br> Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply <i>my</i> days as the sand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/13-29.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/15-21.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/24-18.htm">End</a> <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-14.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">Part</a> <a href="/numbers/17-13.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Story</a> <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Uttered</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/28-11.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/33-6.htm">End</a> <a href="/numbers/27-14.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-30.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-25.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/numbers/25-2.htm">Part</a> <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/job/4-11.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/numbers/24-23.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Story</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.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>Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is known for his encounters with Balak, king of Moab, who sought to curse Israel. Instead, Balaam delivers a series of oracles that bless Israel. Here, Balaam turns his attention to Amalek, a perennial enemy of Israel. The act of "lifting up an oracle" signifies a divinely inspired message, often carrying significant weight and authority. Balaam's oracles are unique as they come from a prophet outside of Israel, yet they align with God's purposes for His people.<p><b>“Amalek was first among the nations,</b><br>The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, descendants of Esau, and are often considered one of the earliest and most persistent adversaries of Israel. The phrase "first among the nations" can be interpreted as a reference to their early establishment as a formidable people group in the region. Historically, the Amalekites were the first to attack the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a>), marking them as a significant and early enemy.<p><b>but his end is destruction.”</b><br>This prophecy foretells the ultimate downfall of Amalek. Despite their early prominence, the Amalekites are destined for obliteration. This aligns with God's command to Israel to blot out the memory of Amalek (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19</a>). The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the actions of King Saul (1 Samuel 15) and later by King David (1 Samuel 30), culminating in their eventual disappearance from history. The destruction of Amalek serves as a typological foreshadowing of the ultimate defeat of all enemies of God's people, pointing to the final victory in Christ.<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 the Israelites. Instead, Balaam delivers messages from God, including blessings for Israel and prophecies about other nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/amalek.htm">Amalek</a></b><br>A nation descended from Esau, known for being one of Israel's earliest and most persistent enemies. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/oracle.htm">Oracle</a></b><br>A divine message or prophecy. In this context, Balaam delivers an oracle concerning the fate of the Amalekites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/destruction.htm">Destruction</a></b><br>The prophesied end of the Amalekites, indicating their eventual downfall and obliteration as a nation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were journeying to the Promised Land and often faced opposition from surrounding nations, including the Amalekites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>God is in control of the rise and fall of nations. The prophecy against Amalek demonstrates that no nation can stand against God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_opposing_god's_people.htm">The Consequences of Opposing God's People</a></b><br>Amalek's persistent hostility towards Israel led to their ultimate destruction. This serves as a warning against opposing God's plans and people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites had lasting consequences. Obedience to God is crucial for fulfilling His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>God's promise to destroy Amalek was fulfilled over time, showing His faithfulness to His word. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises.<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/are_there_sources_supporting_balaam's_prophecies.htm">What archaeological or historical sources, if any, support the existence or prophecies of Balaam as described in Numbers 24?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_sources_on_amalekites'_defeat.htm">Why do no contemporary historical sources mention the defeat of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8–13)? </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/are_2_peter_2_15_and_numbers_22-24_inconsistent.htm">2 Peter 2:15 references Balaam; are there inconsistencies compared to his Old Testament narrative in Numbers 22-24?</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>(20) <span class= "bld">And when he looked on Amalek . . . --</span>From the. mountain of Peor, on which Balaam then stood, he had a view of the country of the Amalekites, which lay to the south of the land of Canaan (<a href="/numbers/13-29.htm" title="The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.">Numbers 13:29</a>; <a href="/genesis/36-12.htm" title="And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.">Genesis 36:12</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Amalek was the first of the nations.</span>--The ancestor of the Amalekites was Eliphaz, the son of Esau (<a href="/genesis/36-12.htm" title="And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.">Genesis 36:12</a>). It has been supposed that the Amalekites separated themselves at a very early period from the rest of the Edomites. The word <span class= "ital">reshith, </span>which is here rendered "first," may denote priority in rank, but more frequently denotes priority in time. The corresponding word in the second clause of the verse, aharith (latter end), may be thought to denote that the reference is to time, not to rank. On the other hand, the reference in <a href="/numbers/24-7.htm" title="He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.">Numbers 24:7</a> to the kings of the Amalekites may be urged in favour of the reference to rank. Some understand the allusion to be to the fact that the Amalekites were the first nation which attacked Israel when they had come out of Egypt (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm" title="Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.">Exodus 17:8</a>). It is possible, however, that there may be a reference both to time and to rank. (Comp. <a href="/amos/6-1.htm" title="Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!">Amos 6:1</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He looked on Amalek.</span> This looking must have been an inward vision, because the haunts of the Amalekites were far away (see on Genesis 36:12; Exodus 17:8; Numbers 14:25, 45). The first of the nations. Amalek was in no sense a leading nation, nor was it a very ancient nation. It was indeed the very first of the nations to attack Israel, but it is a most arbitrary treatment of the words to understand them in that sense. The prophet Amos (<a href="/amos/6-1.htm">Amos 6:1</a>) uses the same expression of the Jewish aristocracy of his day. As it was in no better position than Amalek to claim it in any true sense, we can but suppose that in either case there is a reference to the vainglorious vauntings of the people threatened; it would be quite in keeping with the Bedawin character if Amalek gave himself out be "the first of nations." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-20.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">Then Balaam saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּרְא֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Amalek</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמָלֵ֔ק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mā·lêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and 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">“Amalek</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמָלֵ֔ק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mā·lêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was first</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵאשִׁ֤ית</span> <span class="translit">(rê·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7225.htm">Strong's 7225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The first, in place, time, order, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the nations,</span><br /><span class="heb">גּוֹיִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but his end</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_319.htm">Strong's 319: </a> </span><span class="str2">The last, end, the future, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[shall be] destruction.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹבֵֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḇêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8.htm">Strong's 8: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wretched, destruction</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:20 He looked at Amalek and took up (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:21" /></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>