Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”
- KJV And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
- NKJV And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
- NASB So now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you of what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
- NLT Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Before leaving, Balaam offers to tell Balak what Israel will do to Moab in the latter days. This introduces his final, far-reaching prophecy.
Overview
Balaam announces a forward-looking oracle concerning Israel's future triumph over Moab and surrounding nations. The phrase 'in the latter days' often signals prophecy reaching toward the climax of God's purposes. What follows includes the famous star-and-scepter prophecy, pointing beyond immediate history to a coming royal deliverer.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Mic 6:5My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
- Gen 49:1Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come:
- Rev 2:14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
- Dan 2:28But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:
- 2 Tim 3:1But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
- Num 24:17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Rev 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Acts 2:17‘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.
- Jer 48:47Yet in the latter days I will restore Moab from captivity,” declares the LORD. Here ends the judgment on Moab.
- Jer 49:39“Yet in the last days, I will restore Elam from captivity,” declares the LORD.
- Num 31:7–18Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.
- Hos 3:5Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
- Isa 24:22They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days.
- Dan 10:14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 24:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.