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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 24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/04_Num_24_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:1 - Balaam's Third Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness." /><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/24-1.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/24-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/23-30.htm" title="Numbers 23:30">◄</a> Numbers 24:1 <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm" title="Numbers 24:2">►</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 />Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens, rather he turned his attention toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh to bless Israel, so he did not go as at other times to encounter omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as he had done each time before [superstitiously] to seek omens <i>and</i> signs [in the natural world], but he set his face toward the wilderness (desert).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Balaam was sure that the LORD would tell him to bless Israel again. So he did not use any magic to find out what the LORD wanted him to do, as he had the first two times. Instead, he looked out toward the desert <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that the LORD wanted to bless Israel, he didn't look for omens as he had done before. He turned toward the desert,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />By now Balaam knew that the LORD wanted him to bless the people of Israel, so he did not go to look for omens, as he had done before. He turned toward the desert <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When Balaam noticed that the LORD was pleased that Balaam was blessing Israel, he didn't behave as he had time after time before, that is, to practice divination. Instead, he turned with his face to the wilderness, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at the other times to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to meet with omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam sees that [it is] good in the eyes of YHWH to bless Israel, and he has not gone as time by time to seek enchantments, and he sets his face toward the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Balaam seeth that it is good in the eyes of Jehovah to bless Israel, and he hath not gone as time by time to meet enchantments, and he setteth towards the wilderness his face;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam will see that it was good in the eyes of Jehovah to praise Israel, and he went not now as before to meet enchantments, and he will set his face to the desert.<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 Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord that he should bless Israel. he went not as he had gone before, to seek divination: but setting his face towards the desert, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when Balaam had seen that it was pleasing to the Lord that he should bless Israel, he by no means went out as he had gone before, to seek divination. But directing his face opposite the desert,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Balaam, however, perceiving that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, did not go aside as before to seek omens, but turned his gaze toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, so he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.<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 Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to seek divination; but set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Balaam saw that it was pleasing in the eyes of LORD JEHOVAH for his blessing of Israel and he did not go as in every other time to know divination and set his face to the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he did not go according to his custom to meet the omens, but turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-1.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=7489" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">And when Balaam</a> <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.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2895.htm" title="2895: ṭō·wḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be pleasing or good. A primitive root, to be good in the widest sense.">it pleased</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê (Prep-b:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: lə·ḇā·rêḵ (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">to bless</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/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">he did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·laḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">resort</a> <a href="/hebrew/5173.htm" title="5173: nə·ḥā·šîm (N-mp) -- Divination, enchantment. From nachash; an incantation or augury.">to sorcery</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: kə·p̄a·‘am- (Prep-k:: N-fs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">as on previous occasions,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: bə·p̄a·‘am (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·raṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: way·yā·šeṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">but he turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nāw (N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">his face</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">toward</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: ham·miḏ·bār (Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">the wilderness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,…<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="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18-19</a></span><br />I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.<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/3-22.htm">Acts 3:22-23</a></span><br />For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. / Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-51.htm">John 11:51</a></span><br />Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,<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="/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15-16</a></span><br />But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha / and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-3.htm">Ezekiel 13:3</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-8.htm">Micah 3:8</a></span><br />As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a></span><br />For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16-18</a></span><br />“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. / He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-12</a></span><br />They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-3.htm">1 Corinthians 12:3</a></span><br />Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">the spirit</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-25.htm">Numbers 11:25-29</a></b></br> And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that <i>was</i> upon him, and gave <i>it</i> unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, <i>that</i>, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10</a></b></br> And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-20.htm">1 Samuel 19:20,23</a></b></br> And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing <i>as</i> appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/23-23.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/numbers/23-25.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/numbers/23-25.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/numbers/23-28.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Enchantments</a> <a href="/numbers/23-27.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/20-9.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/numbers/23-15.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Omens</a> <a href="/numbers/14-8.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-34.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/john/18-20.htm">Resort</a> <a href="/numbers/23-23.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/numbers/23-27.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/numbers/23-23.htm">Sorcery</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Times</a> <a href="/numbers/23-28.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Use</a> <a href="/numbers/23-28.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/numbers/23-28.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-11.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/numbers/26-64.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Enchantments</a> <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/25-3.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/numbers/31-13.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Omens</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-23.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/numbers/29-7.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Resort</a> <a href="/numbers/24-21.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/numbers/25-6.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Sorcery</a> <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Times</a> <a href="/numbers/32-14.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-11.htm">Use</a> <a href="/numbers/26-64.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/numbers/26-64.htm">Wilderness</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>And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, recognized that God's favor was upon Israel. This acknowledgment highlights God's sovereign choice of Israel as His chosen people, a theme consistent throughout the Old Testament (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a>). Balaam's realization underscores the futility of opposing God's will, as seen in other biblical narratives where God's plans prevail despite human intentions (<a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a>).<p><b>he did not seek omens as on previous occasions</b><br>Previously, Balaam attempted to use divination to curse Israel, a practice condemned in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>. His change in behavior indicates a recognition of God's authority and the ineffectiveness of pagan practices against God's purposes. This shift can be seen as a moment of clarity where Balaam acknowledges the supremacy of the God of Israel over other spiritual forces.<p><b>but he turned his face toward the wilderness</b><br>The wilderness often symbolizes a place of testing and divine encounter in the Bible, as seen in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (<a href="/exodus/16.htm">Exodus 16:1-36</a>). By turning toward the wilderness, Balaam aligns himself with God's perspective, preparing to deliver a message of blessing rather than curse. This act can be seen as a physical representation of a spiritual turning point, where Balaam submits to God's will.<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. Despite his intentions, God used him to bless Israel instead.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who feared the Israelites and sought Balaam's help to curse them, hoping to weaken them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, whom Balaam was supposed to curse but ended up blessing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The God of Israel, who intervened in Balaam's plans and directed him to bless Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting where Balaam turned his face, symbolizing a shift from human manipulation to divine revelation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_human_intentions.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Human Intentions</a></b><br>Despite human plans, God's purposes prevail. Balaam's account reminds us that God can use anyone, even those with wrong intentions, to fulfill His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_sorcery_against_god's_will.htm">The Futility of Sorcery Against God's Will</a></b><br>Balaam's shift from sorcery to seeking God's will demonstrates the futility of relying on human or demonic powers against God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's power and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_aligning_with_god's_will.htm">The Importance of Aligning with God's Will</a></b><br>Balaam's eventual obedience to God's directive to bless Israel shows the importance of aligning our actions with God's will, even when it contradicts our personal desires or external pressures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The blessing of Israel through Balaam underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises to them.<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/how_does_balaam's_blessing_show_free_will.htm">If Balaam’s initial intention was to curse Israel (Numbers 24:1), how does his eventual blessing align with the notion of free will and divine sovereignty? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_micah_6_5_align_with_other_balaam_accounts.htm">How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_a_pagan_prophet's_blessing_credible.htm">Numbers 23:8-10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king's demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_balaam,_a_non-israelite,_in_num_24.htm">Why would God use Balaam, a non-Israelite, as His mouthpiece in Numbers 24 if divine revelation was meant primarily for the Israelites?</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>XXIV.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">He set his face toward the wilderness.</span>--i.e., towards the place where the Israelites were encamped on the steppes of Moab.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Chapter 24:1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">As at other times,</span> or, "as (he had done) time after time." <span class="cmt_word">Septuagint,</span> <span class="greek">κατὰ τὸ εἰωθός</span>. <span class="cmt_word">To seek for enchantments.</span> Rather, "for the meeting with aunties." <span class="hebrew">לִקְםראת נְחַשִׁים</span>. Septuagint, to <span class="greek">συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς</span>. <span class="accented">Nachashim.</span>, as in <a href="/numbers/23-23.htm">Numbers 23:23</a>, is not enchantments in the sense of magical practices, but definitely auguries, i.e. omens and signs in the natural world observed and interpreted according to an artificial system as manifesting the purposes of God. As one of the commonest and worst of heathen practices, it was forbidden to Israel (<a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Leviticus 19:26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>) and held up to reprobation, as in <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Toward the wilderness.</span> <span class="hebrew">הַמִּדְבָּר</span>. Not "Jeshimon," but apparently the Arboth Moab in which Israel was encamped, and which were for the most part desert as compared with the country around. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-1.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">And when Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֣רְא</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">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it pleased</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֞וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2895.htm">Strong's 2895: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleasing or good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to bless</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבָרֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇā·rêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">resort</span><br /><span class="heb">הָלַ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·laḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to sorcery</span><br /><span class="heb">נְחָשִׁ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḥā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5173.htm">Strong's 5173: </a> </span><span class="str2">Divination, enchantment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as on previous occasions,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּפַֽעַם־</span> <span class="translit">(kə·p̄a·‘am-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he turned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his face</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּנָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(pā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">toward</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wilderness.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/23-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 23:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:2" /></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>