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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 24:2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/04_Num_24_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:2 - Balaam's Third Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him," /><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/24-2.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/24-2.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 2</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="/ad2.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/24-1.htm" title="Numbers 24:1">◄</a> Numbers 24:2 <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm" title="Numbers 24:3">►</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 />When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding <i>in his tents</i> according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living <i>in their tents</i> tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and saw the tribes of Israel camped below. Just then, God's Spirit took control of him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />looked up, and saw Israel's camp grouped by tribes. The Spirit of God entered him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and saw the people of Israel camped tribe by tribe. The spirit of God took control of him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order. Just then, the spirit of God came upon him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him. <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 lifts up his eyes, and sees Israel dwelling by its tribes, and the Spirit of God is on him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Balaam lifteth up his eyes, and seeth Israel tabernacling, by its tribes, and the Spirit of God is upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Balsam will lift up his eyes and see Israel dwelling according to his tribes; and the spirit of God will be upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel abiding in their tents by their tribes: and the spirit of God rushing upon him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel dwelling in tents by their tribes. And with the Spirit of God rushing into him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Then the spirit of God came upon him,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel encamping, tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted his eyes and he saw Israel encamped tribes by tribes, and there the Spirit of God was upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and sees Israel encamped by their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-2.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=7500" 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>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. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: ḇil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">When Balaam</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/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.">looked up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nāw (N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></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.">and 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/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/7931.htm" title="7931: šō·ḵên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">encamped</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: liš·ḇā·ṭāw (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">tribe by tribe,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the Spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon him,</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,…<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="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10</a></span><br />When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.<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_chronicles/20-14.htm">2 Chronicles 20:14</a></span><br />Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/11-5.htm">Ezekiel 11:5</a></span><br />And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me and told me to declare that this is what the LORD says: “That is what you are thinking, O house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17-18</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-44.htm">Acts 10:44</a></span><br />While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-6.htm">Acts 19:6</a></span><br />And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-7.htm">1 Corinthians 12:7-11</a></span><br />Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. / To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, / to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">1 Corinthians 14:1-5</a></span><br />Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. / For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. / But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">1 Corinthians 14:24-25</a></span><br />But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, / and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”<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="/genesis/41-38.htm">Genesis 41:38</a></span><br />So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/31-3.htm">Exodus 31:3</a></span><br />And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/3-10.htm">Judges 3:10</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came on him.</p><p class="hdg">he took up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Numbers 23:7,18</a></b></br> And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, <i>saying</i>, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel… </p><p class="hdg">whose eyes are open hath said.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4,16</a></b></br> He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling <i>into a trance</i>, but having his eyes open: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-31.htm">Numbers 22:31</a></b></br> Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/9-22.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/numbers/10-5.htm">Camping</a> <a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/numbers/10-31.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/numbers/14-41.htm">Order</a> <a href="/numbers/21-4.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/numbers/18-2.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/numbers/13-2.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/16-9.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">Camping</a> <a href="/numbers/24-5.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/numbers/33-5.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-33.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/31-52.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/numbers/26-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/numbers/24-5.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/numbers/26-54.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/numbers/26-55.htm">Tribes</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>When Balaam looked up</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative. His looking up signifies a moment of divine revelation, indicating a shift from his previous attempts to curse Israel. This act of looking up can symbolize readiness to receive a message from God, similar to other biblical figures who look up in moments of divine encounter (e.g., Abraham in <a href="/genesis/22-13.htm">Genesis 22:13</a>).<p><b>and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe</b><br>The encampment of Israel tribe by tribe reflects the organized structure of the Israelite community as described in earlier chapters of Numbers. This arrangement underscores the unity and order of God's people, reminiscent of the military and familial organization seen in <a href="/numbers/2.htm">Numbers 2</a>. The sight of Israel's orderly encampment may have been a visual reminder of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants.<p><b>the Spirit of God came upon him</b><br>The Spirit of God coming upon Balaam is a significant moment, as it indicates divine intervention and control over Balaam's prophetic utterance. This phrase highlights the sovereignty of God in using even a pagan prophet to bless His people. The Spirit's involvement is similar to other instances in the Old Testament where individuals are empowered to speak or act according to God's will, such as the judges in the Book of Judges. This moment foreshadows the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to proclaim God's truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Despite his intentions, Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead, as he is compelled by God’s Spirit.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites due to their numbers and seeks to weaken them through a curse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who are journeying to the Promised Land. They are the subject of Balaam's blessings.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/spirit_of_god.htm">Spirit of God</a></b><br>The divine presence that comes upon Balaam, influencing him to speak blessings over Israel instead of curses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The region where Balak rules and where the events of Balaam’s prophecies take place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God’s Sovereignty</a></b><br>God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human intentions. Despite Balak’s desire to curse Israel, God’s Spirit ensures that only blessings are spoken.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Power of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Spirit of God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or intentions, to fulfill God’s purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/blessing_and_cursing.htm">Blessing and Cursing</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to bless others, trusting that God’s will is for His people to be a blessing to the nations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_will.htm">Obedience to God’s Will</a></b><br>Balaam’s experience teaches us the importance of aligning our words and actions with God’s will, even when it contradicts our own desires or the desires of others.<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_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_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/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/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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Abiding in his tents . . . --</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>encamped according to the order prescribed for the respective tribes. The cognate noun is rendered <span class= "ital">tabernacles </span>in <a href="/numbers/24-5.htm" title="How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!">Numbers 24:5</a>.<p><span class= "bld">And the spirit of God came upon him.--</span>In regard to the two former utterances, it is said that Jehovah put a word in the mouth of Balaam (<a href="/numbers/23-5.htm" title="And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.">Numbers 23:5</a>; <a href="/numbers/23-15.htm" title="And he said to Balak, Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.">Numbers 23:15</a>). In the present case the Spirit of God came upon (or, over) him. The same expression is used of the messengers of Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/19-20.htm" title="And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.">1Samuel 19:20</a>), and of Saul himself (<span class= "ital">Ibid, </span><a href="/numbers/24-23.htm" title="And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!">Numbers 24:23</a>). The prophecy of Caiaphas (<a href="/john/11-15.htm" title="And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him.">John 11:15</a>) affords another instance of the sovereign power of the Spirit as displayed through the medium of wicked men. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The spirit of God came upon him.</span> This seems to intimate a higher state of inspiration than the expression, "God put a word into his mouth" (<a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Numbers 23:5, 16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-2.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">When Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִלְעָ֜ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇil·‘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">looked up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשָּׂ֨א</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">and 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">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">encamped</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁכֵ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> </span><span class="str2">To settle down, abide, dwell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tribe by tribe,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁבָטָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(liš·ḇā·ṭāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Spirit</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֥וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon him,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-2.htm">Numbers 24:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:2 Balaam lifted up his eyes and he (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:3" /></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>