Numbers 24 21

Numbers 24:21 kjv

And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

Numbers 24:21 nkjv

Then he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said: "Firm is your dwelling place, And your nest is set in the rock;

Numbers 24:21 niv

Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: "Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;

Numbers 24:21 esv

And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, "Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.

Numbers 24:21 nlt

Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: "Your home is secure;
your nest is set in the rocks.

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 21 Meaning

Numbers 24:21 states Balaam's prophetic observation of the Kenites: "Strong is thy dwelling place, and thy nest is set in a rock." This utterance initially acknowledges the Kenites' secure, geographically formidable position, suggesting a place of natural defense and seemingly unassailable stability. However, within the broader context of Balaam's oracles and the following verse (Num 24:22), this "strength" is revealed as merely temporary or superficial, ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. It points to a human-derived security that will not endure.

Numbers 24 21 Context

Numbers chapter 24 recounts Balaam's fourth and final series of oracles. Unlike previous attempts where King Balak coerced him to curse Israel, Balaam is now completely under the divine inspiration of God's Spirit. He prophesies blessings for Israel (Num 24:3-9, 15-19) and then pronounces judgment on surrounding nations that represent resistance or enmity to God's plan. Verse 21 begins his prophecy concerning the Kenites, an Edomite or Midianite-associated people group (descendants of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, according to Judges 1:16, but often intertwined with local groups) known for their nomadic lifestyle but also settling in defensible mountainous regions. The immediate context of verse 21 highlights their apparent physical security, contrasting it with the swift prophetic pronouncement of their future devastation in verse 22. This oracle implicitly communicates that no amount of human strength or strategic location can defy the predetermined divine will, particularly when it relates to the judgment of those outside God's covenant, even those who have historically been amicable with Israel.

Numbers 24 21 Word analysis

• Strong (חָזָק, chazaq): This Hebrew word signifies "strong, firm, mighty, brave, tough." It can refer to physical strength, material firmness, or courage. In this context, it implies the inherent fortified nature of the Kenites' dwelling. It suggests resilience and robustness, reflecting their perceived security.
• is thy dwelling place (מוֹשָׁבְךָ, moshāvĕkhā): Derived from the root יָשַׁב (yashab), meaning "to sit, dwell, abide," moshāv refers to a habitation, dwelling, or settled abode. The suffix "thy" (ךָ, khā) points directly to the Kenites. This term emphasizes their established residence, not merely a temporary camp, suggesting a permanence and stability to their settlement.
• and thy nest (וְקִנֶּךָ, wəqinnĕkā): The word for "nest" (קֵן, qēn) often refers to a bird's nest. The prefixed "and" (וְ, wĕ) connects this idea to the dwelling place. A bird's nest, especially in cliffs, is a natural image of high, secure, often inaccessible refuge, where the vulnerable young are protected. This metaphor reinforces the idea of safety, security, and the perceived impregnability of their location.
• is set (בַּסֶּלַע, basselaʿ): While "is set" is added for flow in English, the Hebrew preposition "in" or "on" (בְּ, bə) combined with hasselaʿ directly conveys the idea. It is the location itself that grants the security.
• in a rock (סֶלַע, selaʿ): This refers to a "crag, cliff, or solid rock formation." Unlike general "rock" (צוּר, tsur), selaʿ specifically denotes a formidable, steep, or inaccessible rock. This detail highlights the natural defenses and the strategic, elevated nature of the Kenites' habitation. It implies that their security comes from their fortified geographic position.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Strong is thy dwelling place": This phrase asserts the tangible, visible might of the Kenites' abode. It is a declaration of apparent human or natural strength, often interpreted as their mountain strongholds.
• "and thy nest is set in a rock": This serves as a reinforcing poetic parallel. The imagery of a "nest" (often high up, hard to reach, and a place of birth and security) combined with "set in a rock" amplifies the notion of their inaccessibility and safety, deeply rooted in their formidable surroundings. This evokes an image of impregnable natural fortification. Together, these two phrases describe the Kenites' location as one of ultimate human and natural security.

Numbers 24 21 Bonus section

The mention of "Asshur" in the subsequent verse (Num 24:22) ties this prophecy into later historical events, demonstrating the long-term foresight granted to Balaam. The Kenites, despite their geographical advantages, would ultimately fall victim to the expansion of a major power, specifically the Assyrians. This oracle subtly warns against misplaced trust in physical defenses or strategic locations apart from divine favor. While Balaam was a pagan diviner, his compelled prophecies were undeniably from the Lord, lending an undeniable authority to his words, even when speaking against nations historically associated with or related to Israel. The shift from blessings upon Israel to pronouncements upon nations illustrates God's sovereignty over all peoples, not just His chosen nation.

Numbers 24 21 Commentary

Balaam's oracle for the Kenites opens with a powerful acknowledgment of their apparent strength. Their dwelling in rocky, mountainous regions granted them natural defenses, making their settlements seem impregnable, like a secure bird's nest high in a cliff. This statement recognizes their strategic advantage and inherent robustness. However, this seemingly secure foundation is immediately contrasted in the very next verse (Num 24:22), where their eventual desolation is prophesied. Thus, the "strength" of their dwelling and "nest" serves as a poignant irony: while geographically formidable, it ultimately provides no lasting refuge from divine judgment or the instruments God chooses to bring it about (in this case, Asshur/Assyria). This verse therefore highlights a common biblical theme: human ingenuity, natural defenses, and material strength are fleeting when opposed to the sovereign will of the Almighty. No fortress, no matter how strong, can stand against God's decree.