Numbers 24 19

Numbers 24:19 kjv

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Numbers 24:19 nkjv

Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, And destroy the remains of the city."

Numbers 24:19 niv

A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."

Numbers 24:19 esv

And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!"

Numbers 24:19 nlt

A ruler will rise in Jacob
who will destroy the survivors of Ir."

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 19 Meaning

Numbers 24:19 is a prophetic utterance from Balaam's fourth oracle concerning Israel. It declares that a mighty ruler will arise from the descendants of Jacob (Israel) who will exercise sovereign authority and completely vanquish those who remain of the enemy cities or strongholds. This prophecy finds an initial, partial fulfillment in King David's conquests and reaches its ultimate and complete realization in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, whose dominion is universal and who will decisively triumph over all adversaries.

Numbers 24 19 Context

Numbers 24:19 is the culmination of Balaam's four prophetic oracles. Balak, the king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse the Israelites, who were encamped in the plains of Moab. However, God repeatedly intervened, transforming Balaam's intended curses into blessings and prophecies concerning Israel's future glory, strength, and victory over their enemies. This verse, along with Numbers 24:17-18, specifically details the rise of a powerful Israelite ruler. Historically, these prophecies occurred as Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land, having recently defeated several regional kings. The mention of Edom and Seir in the preceding verse (24:18) grounds this prophecy in immediate geopolitical realities, where Israel's eventual dominance over surrounding nations was anticipated, yet it carries a much deeper messianic significance. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is used by God to pronounce a divine testimony to Israel's destiny, despite his own motives, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty.

Word Analysis

• Out of Jacob (מִיַּעֲקֹב - mi-Ya‘aqov): Refers to the lineage or nation of Israel. It emphasizes the divinely chosen origin of the coming ruler from God's covenant people.
• shall come he that shall have dominion (יֵרְדְּ - yereddū from the root רָדָה radah): Means "to rule," "to dominate," "to subdue," "to tread down." This signifies not merely presence but the exercise of active, powerful, authoritative sovereignty. It suggests a strong, forceful leader who asserts control and establishes his rule.
• and shall destroy (וְהֶאֱבִיד - və-heʾevīd from אָבַד ʾavad): Signifies to cause to perish, to annihilate, to utterly ruin, to make cease to exist. It conveys a complete and decisive defeat, leaving no vestige of the adversary.
• him that remaineth (שָׂרִיד - śārîḏ): A remnant, a survivor. This term stresses the thoroughness of the destruction, indicating that even those who escape initial conflict or attempt to hold out will ultimately be eradicated.
• of the city (מֵעִיר - meʿîr): From "city," denoting a fortified settlement, a center of population or power. In context, it can refer broadly to enemy strongholds or more specifically to the cities within the lands of the hostile nations mentioned previously, like Moab or Edom, which represent the enemies themselves.

Words-group analysis

• "Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion": This phrase underlines that the promised universal ruler will emerge specifically from Israel, the people of the covenant. This roots the future sovereign's authority in God's historical interaction and promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• "and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city": This emphasizes the comprehensive and definitive victory of the ruler. It speaks to the utter subjugation and elimination of opposition, symbolizing the total triumph of this king's dominion over all hostile forces and any lingering threats.

Numbers 24 19 Commentary

Numbers 24:19 presents a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the nature and impact of a coming Israelite ruler. This is not merely a political king but one vested with divine authority ("dominion") to conquer and bring decisive judgment. The initial, tangible fulfillment is seen in the historical conquests of King David, who successfully subdued nations like Moab and Edom, establishing a wide dominion and largely eliminating rival strongholds in the region. However, the sweeping nature of "shall have dominion" and the thoroughness implied by "destroy him that remaineth of the city" points beyond any single earthly king. The scope of this dominion, often understood to be global and eternal in other prophetic passages, necessitates a future, ultimate fulfillment. This makes the verse a cornerstone of Old Testament messianic prophecy, pointing directly to Jesus Christ. His first coming established His spiritual dominion through salvation and spiritual victory over sin and death; His second coming will see the complete and final establishment of His universal kingdom, eradicating all opposition and making good on every aspect of this prophetic word, ultimately destroying every "city" or stronghold that stands against God's rule.

Bonus Section

• The immediate proximity to Numbers 24:17, which speaks of a "Star" and a "Scepter" arising out of Jacob, confirms the regal and celestial nature of this promised ruler, solidifying the Messianic interpretation across Jewish and Christian traditions.
• Balaam's prophecies are unique because they are spoken by a gentile prophet who, despite his covetous desires, is compelled by God to deliver genuine, divine truths, reinforcing the absolute sovereignty of God over human intentions and outcomes.
• In rabbinic tradition, "the Star out of Jacob" was significantly associated with the Messiah, even inspiring figures like Simon bar Kokhba (son of a star) during the second Jewish revolt against Rome, showing the ancient hope in such a figure.
• The destruction of "him that remaineth of the city" implies an exhaustive conquest, where no remnant of the enemy is allowed to perpetuate defiance. This signifies Christ's absolute victory over all cosmic powers, seen in His resurrection and ultimate defeat of Satan and all forms of evil.