Big Idea: God and Israel’s coming king will overcome Israel’s enemies.

Understanding the Text

The prophecies of Numbers 24:14–25 conclude the Balaam cycle (Num. 22–24). Three times Balak king of Moab brings the Mesopotamian diviner Balaam to a mountain height to give Israel the evil eye and curse it. Three times God makes Balaam bless Israel instead. Now Balaam foresees how Israel under its star-and-scepter king (Num. 24:17) will crush Moab and how other enemies of Israel will suffer calamity. As before, Balak goes away disappointed (Num. 24:25).

Interpretive Insights

24:16  Most High. This phrase renders ‘elyon (cf. shadday [“Almighty”] in 24:4). This title emphasizes God’s exaltedness. Melchizedek refers to his and Abram’s creator-God as “God Most High” (’el ‘elyon [Gen. 14:18–22]). …