Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
Parallel translations
- WEB Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
- KJV And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
- NKJV So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.
- NASB Then Balaam arose, and he departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went on his way.
- NLT Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.
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
With his oracles complete, Balaam returns home and Balak goes his own way. The encounter ends with Israel blessed and the plot to curse them defeated.
Overview
The two men part, their scheme thoroughly overturned by God's sovereign word. Though Balaam departs, his later counsel will tragically lead Israel into sin at Peor, the very next episode. The verse closes the curse narrative on a note of God's triumph, while setting the stage for a sober warning about temptation from within.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Num 31:8Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
- Num 24:11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
- Josh 13:22The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.
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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 24:25 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.