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Numbers 24:3 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,
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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 />and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and this is the message he delivered: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he took up his oracle and said: “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he took up his discourse and said, “The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor, And the declaration of the man whose eye is opened;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is uncovered;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He took up his [third] discourse (oracle) and said: “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened [at last, to see clearly the purpose and will of God],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he proclaimed his poem: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eyes are opened, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and Balaam said: "I am the son of Beor, and my words are true, so listen to my message! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />and he delivered this message: "This is the message of Balaam, son of Beor. This is the message of the man whose eyesight is clear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and he uttered this prophecy: "The message of Balaam son of Beor, The words of the man who can see clearly, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "A declaration by Beor's son Balaam, a declaration by the strong, blind man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then he uttered this oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he takes up his allegory and says: “An affirmation of Balaam son of Beor, "" And an affirmation of the man whose eyes are shut,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he taketh up his simile, and saith: 'An affirmation of Balaam son of Beor -- And an affirmation of the man whose eyes are shut -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will take up his parable and say, Balaam, the son of Beor, and the man of unclosed eye, said;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He took up his parable and said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said: The man hath said, whose eye ire stopped up: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />taking up his parable, he said: “Balaam, the son of Beor, the man whose eye has been obstructed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and he recited his poem: The oracle of Balaam, son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is true, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and he uttered his oracle, saying: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is clear,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he lifted up his proverb and speaking, Balaam said, the son of Beor said, the man with his eyes open.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he took up his parable, and said: The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, And the saying of the man whose eye is opened;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he took up his parable and said, Balaam son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-3.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=7508" 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">2</span>When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·śā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and he lifted up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4912.htm" title="4912: mə·šā·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A proverb, parable. ">an oracle,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">“This is the prophecy</a> <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.">of Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1160.htm" title="1160: ḇə·‘ōr (N-proper-ms) -- From ba'ar; a lamp; Beor, the name of the father of an Edomitish king; also of that of Balaam.">of Beor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: ū·nə·’um (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">the prophecy</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: hag·ge·ḇer (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">of a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: hā·‘ā·yin (Art:: N-cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">whose eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/8365.htm" title="8365: šə·ṯum (Adj-msc) -- Probably to stop up. A primitive root; to unveil.">are open,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide 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="/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="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a></span><br />(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-22.htm">Acts 3:22</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.<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_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a></span><br />to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.<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="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a></span><br />Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-2.htm">Ezekiel 13:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!<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="/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="/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="/revelation/19-10.htm">Revelation 19:10</a></span><br />So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:</p><p class="hdg">saw</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></b></br> And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, <i>I</i> the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, <i>and</i> will speak unto him in a dream.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Genesis 15:12</a></b></br> And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/89-19.htm">Psalm 89:19</a></b></br> Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon <i>one that is</i> mighty; I have exalted <i>one</i> chosen out of the people.</p><p class="hdg">falling</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><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-24.htm">1 Samuel 19:24</a></b></br> And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, <i>Is</i> Saul also among the prophets?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Ezekiel 1:28</a></b></br> As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so <i>was</i> the appearance of the brightness round about. This <i>was</i> the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw <i>it</i>, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/14-28.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/numbers/23-30.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Beor</a> <a href="/genesis/36-32.htm">Be'or</a> <a href="/numbers/15-8.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/numbers/16-33.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/numbers/23-18.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/22-11.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/22-26.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/numbers/23-3.htm">Open</a> <a href="/numbers/22-31.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/numbers/23-18.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/23-18.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/numbers/16-33.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/numbers/24-2.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/numbers/23-18.htm">Uttered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Beor</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Be'or</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Clearly</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Discourse</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/25-3.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Open</a> <a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/numbers/27-18.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">Uttered</a> <a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Words</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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 he lifted up an oracle, saying:</b><br>In the ancient Near East, an oracle was a divine message or revelation, often delivered by a prophet or seer. Balaam, though not an Israelite, was recognized as a prophet who could communicate with God. This phrase indicates the solemnity and authority of the message that follows, suggesting it is not merely human insight but a divine revelation.<p><b>“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,</b><br>Balaam is introduced with his lineage, emphasizing his identity and the significance of his role. Balaam, though a non-Israelite, is used by God to deliver a message to His people. This highlights God's sovereignty and ability to use anyone to fulfill His purposes. Balaam's father, Beor, is mentioned to establish his prophetic credentials, as lineage was important in establishing authority and credibility in ancient cultures.<p><b>the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,</b><br>This phrase suggests that Balaam has received a special revelation or insight from God. In biblical terms, having "open eyes" often refers to spiritual enlightenment or the ability to perceive divine truths. This is significant because it indicates that Balaam's message is not based on his own understanding but on a vision or insight granted by God. This can be connected to other instances in Scripture where prophets receive visions, such as Isaiah or Ezekiel, and it foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet known for his encounters with God and his oracles concerning Israel. Despite being hired by Balak to curse Israel, Balaam ends up blessing them.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/beor.htm">Beor</a></b><br>The father of Balaam, mentioned to establish Balaam's identity and lineage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The region where Balak, the king of Moab, sought Balaam's services to curse the Israelites as they camped on the plains of Moab.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who feared the Israelites and sought to use Balaam's prophetic abilities to curse them.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, whom Balaam was initially hired to curse but ultimately blessed through his oracles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God's plans cannot be thwarted by human intentions. Despite Balak's desire to curse Israel, God uses Balaam to bless them instead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_divided_loyalties.htm">The Danger of Divided Loyalties</a></b><br>Balaam's account warns against the temptation to serve both God and personal gain. His divided loyalties ultimately lead to his downfall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_insight_and_obedience.htm">Spiritual Insight and Obedience</a></b><br>Having spiritual insight, like Balaam's open eyes, is not enough. True obedience to God is required to align with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The account underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises to Israel, reminding believers of His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_blessing_and_curse.htm">The Power of Blessing and Curse</a></b><br>Words have power, and as believers, we are called to speak blessings rather than curses, aligning our speech with God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_doctrine_of_balaam.htm">What is the Doctrine of Balaam?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/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/are_2_peter_2_15_and_numbers_22-24_inconsistent.htm">2 Peter 2:15 references Balaam; are there inconsistencies compared to his Old Testament narrative in Numbers 22-24?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_balaam_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Balaam in the Bible?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">Balaam the son of Beor hath said.--</span>The Hebrew word (<span class= "ital">neum</span>) is imperfectly rendered by <span class= "ital">hath said. </span>It is the word which is commonly used in the prophetical books of Scripture to denote a Divine saying, and is rarely used when a human author is named. It occurs in the Pentateuch only in <a href="/genesis/22-16.htm" title="And said, By myself have I sworn, said the LORD, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son:">Genesis 22:16</a>, <a href="/numbers/14-28.htm" title="Say to them, As truly as I live, said the LORD, as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:">Numbers 14:28</a>, and in this chapter, where it is found in <a href="/context/numbers/24-3.htm" title="And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:">Numbers 24:3-4</a>; <a href="/context/numbers/24-15.htm" title="And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said:">Numbers 24:15-16</a>.<p><span class= "bld">The man whose eyes are open.--</span>There is great diversity of opinion respecting the meaning of the word which is here rendered <span class= "ital">open, </span>and which, as it is here written, occurs in no other place. If <span class= "ital">shatham </span>is identified with <span class= "ital">satham, </span>it means to close, not to open. The meaning, however, of this verse is sufficiently explained by that which follows, whichever rendering of the word <span class= "ital">shethum </span>is adopted. Balaam appears to have been thrown into an ecstatic state, as was Saul, and as were many of the ancient prophets; and whilst the eye of the outer senses was closed, the eye of the inner senses was preternaturally opened.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Balaam... hath said.</span> Rather, "the utterance of Balaam." <span class="hebrew">נְאֻם</span> is constantly used, as in <a href="/numbers/14-28.htm">Numbers 14:28</a>, for a Divine utterance, <span class="accented">effatum Dei</span>, but it does not by itself, apart from the context, claim a superhuman origin. <span class="cmt_word">The man whose eyes are open.</span> <span class="hebrew">הַגֶּבֶר שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן</span>. The authorities are divided between the rendering in the text and the opposite rendering given in the margin. <span class="hebrew">סָתַם</span> is used in <a href="/daniel/8-26.htm">Daniel 8:26</a>, and <span class="hebrew">שָׂתָם</span> in <a href="/lamentations/3-8.htm">Lamentations 3:8</a>, in the sense of "shut;" but, on the other hand, a passage in the Mishnah distinctly uses <span class="hebrew">שׁתם</span> and <span class="hebrew">סתם</span> in opposite senses. The Vulgate, on the one hand, has <span class="accented">obturatus</span>; the Septuagint, on the other, has <span class="greek">ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν</span>, and this is the sense given by the Targums. Strange to say, it makes no real difference whether we read "open" or "shut," because in any case it was the inward vision that was quickened, while the outward senses were closed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-3.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 he lifted up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשָּׂ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an oracle,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשָׁל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šā·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4912.htm">Strong's 4912: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pithy maxim, a simile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying:</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“[This is] the prophecy</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָם֙</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">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנ֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Beor,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְעֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·‘ōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1160.htm">Strong's 1160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beor -- 'a burning', father of an Edomite king, also the father of Balaam</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the prophecy</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְאֻ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·’um)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a man</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגֶּ֖בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(hag·ge·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽיִן׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ā·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are open,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁתֻ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ṯum)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8365.htm">Strong's 8365: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably to stop up</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:3 He took up his parable and said (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:4" /></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>