CINXE.COM

<!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 24:9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/04_Num_24_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:9 - Balaam's Third Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you." /><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/24-9.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/24-9.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 9</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="/ad9.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/24-8.htm" title="Numbers 24:8">◄</a> Numbers 24:9 <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm" title="Numbers 24:10">►</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 />Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? &#8220May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed <i>is</i> he that blesseth thee, and cursed <i>is</i> he that curseth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ “Blessed <i>is</i> he who blesses you, And cursed <i>is</i> he who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He crouches, he lies down like a lion, And like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed is <i>everyone</i> who blesses you, And cursed is <i>everyone</i> who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“He bowed down [to rest], he lies down as a lion; And as a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed [of God] is he who blesses you, And cursed [of God] is he who curses you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Like a lion you lie down, resting after an attack. Who would dare disturb you? "Anyone who blesses you will be blessed; anyone who curses you will be cursed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />His people lie down [and] rest like a lion. They are like a lioness. Who dares to disturb them? Those who bless you will be blessed! Those who curse you will be cursed!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The nation is like a mighty lion; When it is sleeping, no one dares wake it. Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, And whoever curses Israel will be cursed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken him? Those who bless you are blessed, and those who curse you are cursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness?who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall rouse him? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He has bent, he has lain down as a lion, "" And as a lioness, who raises him up? He who is blessing you [is] blessed, "" And he who is cursing you [is] cursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He hath bent, he hath lain down as a lion, And as a lioness: who doth raise him up? He who is blessing thee is blessed, And he who is cursing thee is cursed.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He bowed; he lay down as a lion, and as a lioness: who shall raise him up? Praised he praising thee, and cursed he cursing thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lying down he hath slept as a lion, and as a lioness, whom none shall dare to rouse. He that blesseth thee, shall also himself be blessed: he that curseth thee shall be reckoned accursed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Lying down, he has slept like a lion, and like a lioness, whom no one would dare to awaken. He who blesses you, shall himself also be blessed. He who curses you, shall be considered cursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Crouching, they lie like a lion, or like a lioness; who will arouse them? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall rouse him up? Blessed are they who bless you, and cursed are they who curse you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He crouched and lay like a lion and like the whelp of a lion, and who will raise him up? Those blessing you are blessed and those cursing you are cursed.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He lay down, he rested as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall stir him up? they that bless thee are blessed, and they that curse thee are cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-9.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=7563" 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">8</span>God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: kā·ra‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">He crouches,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šā·ḵaḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">he lies down</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: ka·’ă·rî (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">like a lion;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3833.htm" title="3833: ū·ḵə·lā·ḇî (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-ms) -- To roar, a lion.">like a lioness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: yə·qî·men·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">dares to rouse him?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: ḇā·rūḵ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">Blessed are</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: mə·ḇā·ră·ḵe·ḵā (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">those who bless you</a> <a href="/hebrew/779.htm" title="779: ’ā·rūr (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To curse. A primitive root; to execrate.">and cursed are</a> <a href="/hebrew/779.htm" title="779: wə·’ō·rə·re·ḵā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- To curse. A primitive root; to execrate.">those who curse you.”</a> </span><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="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a></span><br />I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a></span><br />Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">Deuteronomy 33:20</a></span><br />Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Genesis 27:29</a></span><br />May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-12.htm">Psalm 2:12</a></span><br />Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-9</a></span><br />The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a></span><br />Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a></span><br />“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-25.htm">Isaiah 65:25</a></span><br />The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-8.htm">Micah 5:8</a></span><br />Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-6.htm">Matthew 2:6</a></span><br />‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Hebrews 7:14</a></span><br />For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Isaiah 31:4</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-14.htm">Hosea 5:14</a></span><br />For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/3-8.htm">Amos 3:8</a></span><br />The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curses you.</p><p class="hdg">he smote</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-23.htm">Job 27:23</a></b></br> <i>Men</i> shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/21-14.htm">Ezekiel 21:14,17</a></b></br> Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite <i>thine</i> hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it <i>is</i> the sword of the great <i>men that are</i> slain, which entereth into their privy chambers… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/22-13.htm">Ezekiel 22:13</a></b></br> Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.</p><p class="hdg">I called</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Numbers 22:6,11,17</a></b></br> Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they <i>are</i> too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, <i>that</i> we may smite them, and <i>that</i> I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest <i>is</i> blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-11.htm">Numbers 23:11</a></b></br> And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed <i>them</i> altogether.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4,5</a></b></br> Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/numbers/23-20.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Blesses</a> <a href="/numbers/23-20.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Couched</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Couches</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-4.htm">Crouch</a> <a href="/numbers/23-27.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/numbers/23-11.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-15.htm">Curseth</a> <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Dares</a> <a href="/numbers/22-27.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Rouse</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">She-Lion</a> <a href="/exodus/22-27.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-1.htm">Stir</a> <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/numbers/24-6.htm">Stretched</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/5-27.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-11.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-10.htm">Blesses</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-24.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-2.htm">Couched</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-13.htm">Couches</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-36.htm">Crouch</a> <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-26.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-29.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-10.htm">Curseth</a> <a href="/job/41-10.htm">Dares</a> <a href="/numbers/27-18.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-25.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Rouse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">She-Lion</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-9.htm">Stir</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-34.htm">Stretched</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>He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?</b><br>This imagery of a lion and lioness is a powerful symbol of strength, dominance, and majesty. In the ancient Near East, lions were seen as the ultimate predators, feared and respected by all. The lion's crouching and lying down suggest a state of rest and confidence, indicating that Israel, like a lion, is secure and unthreatened by its enemies. This metaphor is consistent with the portrayal of Israel as a formidable nation under God's protection. The rhetorical question "who dares to rouse him?" emphasizes the futility of opposing God's chosen people. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a>, where Judah is described as a lion's cub, and in <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a>, where Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, highlighting the messianic connection and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Christ.<p><b>Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.</b><br>This phrase is a reiteration of the Abrahamic covenant found in <a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a>, where God promises Abraham that He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This covenantal promise extends to Abraham's descendants, the nation of Israel, and signifies God's enduring protection and favor. It underscores the principle that the treatment of God's people is directly linked to divine blessing or judgment. Historically, nations and individuals who have supported Israel have often experienced prosperity, while those who have opposed them have faced difficulties. This principle is seen throughout the Bible, such as in the story of Balaam, who, despite being hired to curse Israel, ends up blessing them instead. Theologically, this promise points to the ultimate blessing found in Jesus Christ, through whom all nations are blessed, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Galatians 3:8-9</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead, he delivers blessings from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to have them cursed by Balaam to weaken them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are journeying to the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, is threatened by the presence of the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lion_imagery.htm">The Lion Imagery</a></b><br>Symbolizes strength, dominance, and the protective nature of God over Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>God is sovereign over all nations and peoples. His plans for Israel cannot be thwarted by human schemes. This should encourage believers to trust in God's protection and sovereignty over their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_blessing_and_curse.htm">The Power of Blessing and Curse</a></b><br>The spiritual principle of blessing and cursing is significant. Believers are called to bless others, understanding that God honors those who align with His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_lion_of_judah.htm">The Lion of Judah</a></b><br>The imagery of the lion points to the strength and authority of the tribe of Judah, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah. Believers can find confidence in Christ's victory and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_promises.htm">Faithfulness to God's Promises</a></b><br>God's faithfulness to His promises is evident in His protection of Israel. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises to them as well.<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_is_god's_change_with_balaam_consistent.htm">How does God’s change from forbidding Balaam to go (Numbers 22:12) to eventually permitting him (Numbers 22:20) align with the concept of divine consistency? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_balak_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Balak in the Bible?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/plague_deaths__24,000_or_23,000.htm">How many died in the plague after the Israelites' adultery with Moab's daughters: 24,000 (Numbers 25:1, 9) or 23,000 (I Corinthians 10:8)?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion.--</span>The Hebrew <span class= "ital">labi </span>(great lion) should be rendered "a lioness," as in <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm" title="Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.">Numbers 23:24</a>. The image of a lion connects this verse with the preceding verse: "he shall eat up the nations." (See Note on <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm" title="Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.">Numbers 23:24</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Blessed is he that blesseth thee . . . --</span>Compare the original blessing which was pronounced upon Abraham by the Lord (<a href="/genesis/12-3.htm" title="And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.">Genesis 12:3</a>), and which was afterwards adopted by Isaac in the blessing which he pronounced upon Jacob (<a href="/genesis/27-29.htm" title="Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother's sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you.">Genesis 27:29</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A lion.</span> <span class="hebrew">אַרִי</span>. <span class="cmt_word">A great lion.</span> <span class="hebrew">לָבִיא</span>. See on Numbers 23:24, and <a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Blessed is he that blesseth thee,</span> etc. In these words Balaam seems to refer to the terms of Balak's first message (<a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Numbers 22:6</a>). Far from being affected by blessings and cursings from without, Israel was itself a source of blessing or cursing to others according as they treated him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-9.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">He crouches,</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּרַ֨ע</span> <span class="translit">(kā·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he lies down</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁכַ֧ב</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḵaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a lion;</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲרִ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_738.htm">Strong's 738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a lioness,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְלָבִ֖יא</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·lā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3833.htm">Strong's 3833: </a> </span><span class="str2">To roar, a lion,</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dares to rouse him?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְקִימֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·qî·men·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Blessed are</span><br /><span class="heb">בָר֔וּךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·rūḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<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">those who bless you</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבָרֲכֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇā·ră·ḵe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<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">and cursed are</span><br /><span class="heb">אָרֽוּר׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·rūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> </span><span class="str2">To execrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who curse you.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֹרְרֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ō·rə·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> </span><span class="str2">To execrate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:9 He couched he lay down as (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:10" /></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>