And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
Parallel translations
- WEB Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
- BSB Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
- 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 of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
- 2 Sam 8:14And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
- Gen 27:29Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
- Isa 34:5For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
- Gen 27:40And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
- Isa 63:1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
- Ps 60:1O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
- Ps 60:8–12Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
- Gen 32:3And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
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.