Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
Parallel translations
- WEB Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
- KJV And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
- NKJV “And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does valiantly.
- NASB “And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly.
- NLT Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph.
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
Edom and Seir will become a possession while Israel acts valiantly. The oracle predicts Israel's future dominance over its neighbors.
Overview
Edom, descended from Esau, was a longstanding rival of Israel, and this prophecy foresees its subjugation. The fulfillment came in part under David, who conquered Edom, and points more broadly to the triumph of the kingdom that the star and scepter represent. The verse continues the theme of God establishing His people's rule over their enemies.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Amos 9:12that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.
- 2 Sam 8:14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- Gen 27:29May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
- Isa 34:5When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.
- Gen 27:40You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
- Isa 63:1Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”
- Ps 60:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!
- Ps 60:8–12Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
- Gen 32:3Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 24:18 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.