Numbers 24 17

Numbers 24:17 kjv

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Numbers 24:17 nkjv

"I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.

Numbers 24:17 niv

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

Numbers 24:17 esv

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

Numbers 24:17 nlt

I see him, but not here and now.
I perceive him, but far in the distant future.
A star will rise from Jacob;
a scepter will emerge from Israel.
It will crush the heads of Moab's people,
cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 17 Meaning

Numbers 24:17 is a prophecy uttered by Balaam, who, compelled by God, foretells the coming of a future ruler from Israel. This figure is depicted through two powerful symbols: a "star" and a "scepter." The star signifies brilliance, prominence, and a divine sign, while the scepter represents royal authority, dominion, and power. This prophecy declares that this coming leader will bring about decisive victory over Israel's enemies, specifically Moab and the "sons of Sheth," indicating a sweeping conquest and the establishment of Israel's supremacy. Though initially fulfilled in part by King David's conquests, the prophecy's grandeur and its far-reaching implications are ultimately understood to point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the one who fully embodies the divine "star" and the eternal "scepter" of righteous rule, establishing His everlasting kingdom and overcoming all adversaries.

Numbers 24 17 Context

Numbers chapter 24 records the fourth and final set of oracles delivered by Balaam. After three unsuccessful attempts by Balak, King of Moab, to bribe Balaam into cursing Israel, Balaam is repeatedly compelled by the LORD to pronounce blessings and prophecies of Israel's future glory instead. This particular oracle (24:15-24) shifts focus from present blessings to a distant, grand future. Balaam's prophetic vision pierces through time to foresee a powerful Israelite king who would subjugate surrounding nations. Historically, this foreshadowed King David, who conquered Moab and brought Israel to a peak of regional dominance. Culturally, Balaam, as a non-Israelite diviner, lends unique weight to this prophecy, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty, using even outside sources to reveal His plans for His people and the ultimate advent of their ruler. This highlights a polemic against the regional powers and false gods, demonstrating Yahweh's ultimate control over history and human agents.

Numbers 24 17 Word analysis

• אֶרְאֶנּוּ (e’rennu) – "I see him": From the root ra'ah, meaning "to see, perceive." This indicates a clear prophetic vision or a divine revelation, not a casual observation. It signifies foresight into a distant future, a certainty of what will come.
• וְלֹא עַתָּה (wə-lōʾ ‘attāh) – "but not now": Emphasizes the future, a temporal distance between the present moment of prophecy and its fulfillment. It underscores that this is a long-term divine plan.
• אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ (ashurenu) – "I behold him": From the root shur, meaning "to gaze at, look intensely, observe." This is a strong parallel to "e'rennu," often implying a contemplative or fixed gaze, confirming the vividness and certainty of the vision. It denotes a profound perception.
• וְלֹא קָרוֹב (wə-lōʾ qārov) – "but not near": Reinforces the previous "not now," highlighting not only temporal but potentially also geographical distance from the immediate context. It signals a distant, yet inevitable, future event.
• דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב (dārak kokhāv) – "a star shall come out" or "a star shall step forth":
  • דָּרַךְ (darak): Verb meaning "to tread, step, march, go." Here, it vividly depicts the active emergence or appearance of the star, rather than passive existence. It signifies purposeful movement and arrival.
  • כּוֹכָב (kokhāv): Noun meaning "star." A symbol of glory, majesty, leadership, divinity, destiny, and guidance in ancient Near Eastern thought. It implies brilliance, preeminence, and an illuminating presence. In Jewish tradition, it became a significant Messianic symbol.
• מִיַּעֲקֹב (miyya’aqov) – "out of Jacob": Identifies the source or origin. "Jacob" here refers to the nation or people of Israel, underscoring that this leader will emerge from the chosen covenant lineage.
• וְקָם שֵׁבֶט (wəqām shēveṭ) – "and a scepter shall rise":
  • וְקָם (wəqām): Verb meaning "to rise, stand up, establish." It implies active emergence, ascendancy, and the establishment of power.
  • שֵׁבֶט (shēveṭ): Noun meaning "rod, staff, tribe, scepter." In this context, it unequivocally signifies a "scepter," the emblem of royal authority, sovereignty, and governing power. It points to a rightful king.
• מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל (miyyiśrāʾēl) – "out of Israel": A direct parallel to "out of Jacob," reinforcing that the origin of this powerful ruler is unequivocally within the nation of Israel, emphasizing its covenant standing.
• וּמָחַץ פְּאֲתֵי מוֹאָב (umāḥaṣ pə’atê mo’āv) – "and shall crush the forehead/corners of Moab":
  • וּמָחַץ (umāḥaṣ): Verb meaning "to smite, strike down, crush, shatter." A strong verb denoting decisive and destructive force.
  • פְּאֲתֵי (pə’atê): Literally "corners" or "sides." In this context, "corners of Moab" implies every aspect, from end to end, of Moab's territory, or, more likely, "forehead/temples" as the seat of vital strength, signifying a complete and devastating victory.
  • מוֹאָב (mo’āv): Moab was a persistent antagonist of Israel, located to their east. Its defeat symbolizes the subjugation of immediate hostile neighbors.
• וְקַרְקַר כָּל־בְּנֵי שֵׁת (wəqaraqr kar kol-bənê Shēṯ) – "and break down/pull down all the sons of Sheth":
  • וְקַרְקַר (wəqaraqr): Intensive verb meaning "to tear down completely, destroy utterly, root up, pull down." Indicates total annihilation or ruin.
  • בְּנֵי שֵׁת (bənê Shēṯ): "Sons of Sheth." This is widely debated among scholars:
    • Could refer to a specific, unknown powerful enemy tribe that was contemporary with Balaam.
    • Interpreted as "sons of tumult/noise," referring to rebellious, proud, or chaotic peoples in general, representing all opponents of God's chosen ruler.
    • Less likely, but also suggested, descendants of Seth, signifying all mankind, and thus meaning that the ruler would assert dominion over all of humanity hostile to God. The general interpretation of "all sons of Sheth" pointing to a wider defeat of enemies, beyond just Moab, seems most fitting within the context of Messianic dominion.

Numbers 24 17 Bonus section

• The appearance of the "star" in this prophecy connects deeply with the account of the wise men seeking the "King of the Jews" following His birth, being guided by a star (Mt 2:1-2). This New Testament fulfillment specifically draws on the ancient prophetic expectation set forth in Balaam's words.
• The "star out of Jacob" has resonated throughout Jewish history, notably being taken as a Messianic title by Simon Bar Kokhba, a second-century CE Jewish rebel leader. However, the true fulfillment is in Christ, whose reign is spiritual and eternal, transcending any earthly rebellion.
• Balaam's prophecy, spoken by a non-Israelite diviner yet compelled by Yahweh, powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and even those outside His covenant people, validating the prophetic word as entirely God-breathed.
• The crushing language of this prophecy, especially the reference to "crushing the forehead," echoes the protoevangelium in Gen 3:15, where the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent's head, foretelling a complete and decisive victory over evil itself. This connection amplifies the Messianic implications of Num 24:17.

Numbers 24 17 Commentary

Balaam's final prophecy in Numbers 24:17 stands as one of the Bible's profound Messianic foretellings. It is not merely a political prediction but a divinely inspired vision, despite Balaam's pagan background. The distinct declaration, "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near," underscores the futurity and certainty of this event. The two principal symbols, the "star" and the "scepter," powerfully represent the multifaceted nature of the coming king. The "star" speaks to divine origin, guiding light, and extraordinary brilliance—a sign of the ruler's unique status and transcendent glory. The "scepter" signifies sovereign authority, military might, and the power to govern.

While finding a preliminary fulfillment in King David, who rose from Israel, defeated Moab (2 Sam 8:2), and established a powerful kingdom, the prophetic language reaches beyond any historical king of Israel. The universal scope implied by the "breaking down" of "all the sons of Sheth" (representing broad categories of hostile forces) points to a final, ultimate ruler. New Testament authors and early Christian tradition firmly identify this prophecy's complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the "bright and morning star" (Rev 22:16), signifying His divine radiance, illuminating truth, and unique kingship. He is the one who "rules with a rod of iron" (Rev 2:27, 19:15), exercising ultimate authority over all creation and vanquishing all spiritual and physical adversaries, including sin, death, and evil. Balaam's involuntary prophecy thus testifies to God's supreme control over history and His covenant promise of a universal and everlasting King from Israel.