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.
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.”
- BSB 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.”
- 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 6:5O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
- Gen 49:1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
- Rev 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
- Dan 2:28But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
- 2 Tim 3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
- Num 24:17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
- Rev 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
- Acts 2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
- Jer 48:47Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
- Jer 49:39But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
- Num 31:7–18And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
- Hos 3:5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
- Isa 24:22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
- Dan 10:14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.