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.”
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.
- 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.”
- 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 now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”
- Gen 49:1Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in the days to come.
- Rev 2:14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
- Dan 2:28but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:
- 2 Tim 3:1But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.
- Num 24:17I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Acts 2:17‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
- Jer 48:47“Yet I will bring back the captivity of Moab in the latter days,” says Yahweh. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
- Jer 49:39‘But it shall happen in the latter days, that I will bring back the captivity of Elam,’ says Yahweh.”
- Num 31:7–18They fought against Midian, as Yahweh commanded Moses. They killed every male.
- Hos 3:5Afterward the children of Israel shall return, and seek Yahweh their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to Yahweh and to his blessings in the last days.
- Isa 24:22They 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 have come to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet 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.