Numbers 24 15

Numbers 24:15 kjv

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Numbers 24:15 nkjv

So he took up his oracle and said: "The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;

Numbers 24:15 niv

Then he spoke his message: "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

Numbers 24:15 esv

And he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

Numbers 24:15 nlt

This is the message Balaam delivered: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 15 Meaning

Numbers 24:15 serves as an introductory declaration for Balaam's fourth prophetic oracle. Here, Balaam asserts that the words he is about to speak are not his own thoughts or desires, but a direct revelation from the Almighty. He explicitly states his identity as the speaker, "Balaam the son of Beor," and then claims unique insight, emphasizing himself as "the man whose eyes are open." This statement sets the stage, assuring the audience that the following prophecy possesses divine authority and revelatory clarity, granted directly by God, despite his personal moral failings.

Numbers 24 15 Context

Balaam, a foreign diviner, was summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the advancing Israelites. Despite Balak's pressure and his own avarice, Balaam could only pronounce blessings upon Israel, compelled by God's direct intervention. Chapters 22-23 detail his initial attempts to curse, thwarted by God. Numbers 24:15 introduces Balaam's final and most significant oracle. Unlike previous declarations which might have been elicited after performing rituals, this oracle begins with Balaam spontaneously asserting the divine origin of his words, indicating a deeper, more profound, and less mediated prophetic experience. This fourth oracle progresses to include vivid Messianic prophecies (Num 24:17-19) which transcend his immediate task and extend far into the future. Historically, Balaam lived during the time of the Exodus, before Israel's entry into Canaan, placing these prophecies in a foundational period for Israel's identity and divine destiny.

Numbers 24 15 Word analysis

• And he took up his parable:

  • "took up" (Hebrew: נָשָׂא, nasa): Implies "lifting," "raising," or "uttering." Here, it signifies the beginning of a weighty pronouncement or discourse.
  • "his parable" (Hebrew: מְשָׁלֹו, meshalo): From mashal, meaning "proverb," "likeness," or often "oracle" or "weighty saying." It's more than a simple story; it carries authoritative, often enigmatic, or poetic meaning, frequently conveying divine truth. Balaam's mashal here is a divinely inspired utterance, not his own crafted narrative.

• Balaam the son of Beor hath said:

  • "Balaam" (Hebrew: בִּלְעָם, Bil'am): His name might mean "destroyer" or "devourer of people," ironic given his inability to curse Israel. He is identified by his name and paternity to establish his person as the instrument, while distancing the origin of the message from his human will.
  • "son of Beor": Clearly identifies him, distinguishing him from other possible "Balaams" and establishing his identity to his audience.
  • "hath said" (Hebrew: נְאֻם, ne'um): This term usually indicates a divine utterance, "thus says the LORD." Though Balaam is speaking about himself, he is effectively claiming divine inspiration. This emphasizes the declarative, authoritative nature of his statement. Its repetition in the previous oracle (Num 24:3-4) reinforces the legitimacy of the utterance, attributing it to the God who "speaks" and "sees."

• and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

  • "the man" (Hebrew: הַגֶּבֶר, haggever): Refers to Balaam himself, emphasizing his strength or prominence as an individual.
  • "whose eyes are open" (Hebrew: שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן, shĕtum ha'ayin): This is a highly significant phrase with interpretive nuance.
    • Historically, some scholars argued shatum could mean "closed" or "pierced," suggesting blindness to worldly matters or a special prophetic piercing/opening.
    • The predominant and widely accepted interpretation, especially from ancient versions and contextual usage (e.g., Num 24:3-4: "who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling, but having his eyes open"), is that it means "opened eyes" or "unveiled eyes." This refers to spiritual sight or clear perception of divine realities, not physical blindness.
    • It signifies one who has received divine illumination, distinguishing true prophetic insight from ordinary human perception or occult practices. Balaam highlights that his ability to see into the divine realm comes from a special, supernatural revelation.
  • "hath said" (Hebrew: נְאֻם, ne'um): Again, linking his statement to a divine authority.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said..." This phrase serves as a triple affirmation of the source and nature of the message: a prophetic utterance (mashal), spoken by Balaam, whose declaration itself is weighty (ne'um). It emphasizes that while Balaam is the mouth, the message's true origin is higher.
  • "...and the man whose eyes are open hath said": This clause reiterates Balaam's claim to divine inspiration, specifically focusing on his unique visionary capability granted by God. It elevates the subsequent prophecy beyond mere human observation, declaring it to be the product of direct spiritual revelation and therefore unquestionable truth. This sets the expectation for a powerful, true, and divinely ordained message.

Numbers 24 15 Bonus section

• The shetum ha'ayin (whose eyes are open) phrase creates a theological tension: Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner involved in practices contrary to God's law for Israel (e.g., Num 31:16 regarding the sin of Peor, hinted at by Rev 2:14), is nonetheless granted direct spiritual revelation. This underscores God's sovereignty, showing He can use anyone, even those opposed to His people, to fulfill His divine purposes and speak His truth.
• The repetition of "hath said" (ne'um) across verses 3, 4, and 15 builds a sense of undeniable authority. Balaam is not speaking of his own volition; he is merely echoing what has been placed in his heart and mouth by God. This stands in stark contrast to the pagan divination methods that Balak initially hoped Balaam would employ.
• The transition from earlier general blessings to specific, far-reaching prophecies about Israel's ultimate triumph and a future ruler from Jacob signifies a crescendo in God's revelation through Balaam, leading to clear Messianic tones. Balaam's final set of prophecies even includes his own eventual demise, illustrating the totality of the vision granted to him by the Lord.

Numbers 24 15 Commentary

Numbers 24:15 introduces Balaam's final and most powerful set of oracles regarding Israel's future. It acts as a solemn preamble, establishing the authenticity and divine origin of his words. Balaam, despite his moral compromise and covetous nature (as later highlighted in other biblical texts), consistently serves as an unwilling instrument of God's prophetic will. His declaration, "Balaam the son of Beor hath said," grounds the prophecy in a known human vessel, while the repeated "hath said" (from the Hebrew ne'um, denoting divine utterance) implicitly elevates his human statement to a divinely inspired one. The critical phrase "the man whose eyes are open" is Balaam's personal assertion of direct spiritual insight, a divinely bestowed clarity of vision into spiritual realities, contrasting with mundane perception or false divination. This emphasis prepares Balak and his own associates for the potent and inescapable prophecies that follow, particularly the majestic predictions concerning a future "Star" and "Sceptre" from Israel (Num 24:17), which Christians traditionally understand as Messianic prophecies foreshadowing Jesus Christ. God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty by using a foreign prophet, motivated by greed, to utter profound truths that defy his original intent to curse.