Numbers 24 24

Numbers 24:24 kjv

And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

Numbers 24:24 nkjv

But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes."

Numbers 24:24 niv

Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin."

Numbers 24:24 esv

But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction."

Numbers 24:24 nlt

Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus ;
they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber,
but they, too, will be utterly destroyed."

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 24 Meaning

Numbers 24:24 speaks of a future prophecy concerning mighty naval powers and their far-reaching impact. It declares that ships will arrive from the coasts of Kittim, inflicting suffering upon Asshur and Eber. The verse culminates in the definitive statement that this afflicting entity or all who engage in such conflict, "he also, shall perish forever." This segment of Balaam's prophecy transcends the immediate geopolitical landscape to convey a broader divine purpose concerning the rise and fall of great nations and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

Numbers 24 24 Context

Numbers chapter 24 records Balaam's fourth and final oracle. Hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel, Balaam is repeatedly compelled by God to utter blessings instead. These prophecies, despite their immediate context of Balaam facing Balak, extend far beyond the wilderness generation, providing profound insights into God's plans for Israel and the surrounding nations, stretching into the distant future. This particular verse forms part of a series of oracles that paint a panoramic view of world history and divine judgment. Balaam prophesies not only about the nations contemporary to his time but also distant future powers, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty over all geopolitical developments. This verse serves as a sober reminder that while God uses certain nations as instruments of judgment or allows them to rise in power, they too are subject to His overarching plan and ultimate judgment.

Numbers 24 24 Word analysis

• But ships (וְצִים - wə·ṣîm): The term for "ships" (ṣı̂y) indicates maritime power, fleet, or naval forces. This signifies a formidable force arriving by sea, implying distant origin and naval prowess, capable of transporting large armies or acting as instruments of conquest.
• shall come from the coast of Kittim (מִיַּד כִּתִּים - mî·yaḏ Kittîm):
  • coast/hand (מִיַּד - mî·yaḏ): Literally "from the hand of," often understood idiomatically as "from the coast" or "from the power/influence of."
  • Kittim (כִּתִּים - Kittı̂ym): A significant ethno-geographical term. Initially referred to Kition on Cyprus, known for its strong naval capabilities. Over time, it expanded in meaning in Hebrew prophecy to represent powerful seafaring peoples of the West, particularly Greeks (e.g., Macedonians under Alexander the Great) and later, often the Romans, as seen in the Apocrypha (e.g., 1 Maccabees) and in interpretations of Daniel. This signifies a powerful, Western, perhaps European, maritime power that would emerge much later in history.
• and afflict (וְעִנּוּ - wə·ʿinnû): From the verb עִנָּה (ʿânâh), meaning to humble, to afflict, to oppress, to bow down. It implies a significant, aggressive, and damaging military action that brings great hardship or subjugation upon the targeted peoples.
• Asshur (אַשּׁוּר - ’Aššûr): Assyria, the powerful Mesopotamian empire renowned for its military might and brutality, which profoundly impacted Israel and Judah's history. Its inclusion highlights that even the great established empires of the ancient world would fall victim to subsequent invaders.
• and will afflict Eber (וְעִנּוּ עֵבֶר - wə·ʿinnû ʿĒḇer):
  • afflict (וְעִנּוּ - wə·ʿinnû): Repetition emphasizes the dual nature of the destruction.
  • Eber (עֵבֶר - ‘Êber): The precise identity here is debated. While 'Eber is also the ancestor of the Hebrews (Gen 10:21), in this prophetic context alongside 'Asshur (Assyria), it most likely refers not to Israel itself but to peoples or lands "across the river" (the Euphrates), or regions beyond, such as peoples of Mesopotamia, or a more general designation for certain Semitic tribes or eastern regions. It signifies another powerful or significant entity beyond Assyria's immediate realm. This points to a broader reach of the invasion.
• and he also shall perish forever (וְגַם־הוּא אָבַד לָעַד - wə·ḡam-hûʾ ’âḇaḏ lâ·ʿaḏ):
  • and he also (וְגַם־הוּא - wə·ḡam-hûʾ): "He also" is crucial for interpreting the ultimate fate. Most scholarly consensus views this pronoun as referring to the aggressor—Kittim itself—implying that the very power (Kittim) that afflicts Asshur and Eber will, in turn, ultimately face destruction. Some might argue it refers to Eber, but the overarching theme of God's sovereignty over all empires points to the more powerful Kittim's demise.
  • shall perish (אָבַד - ’âḇaḏ): To be lost, destroyed, ruined, to cease to exist or function. It denotes total destruction or annihilation from historical significance.
  • forever (לָעַד - lâ·ʿaḏ): Perpetually, eternally, utterly. This absolute term underscores the complete and lasting nature of this final judgment, contrasting with the temporary rise of human empires.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim": This phrase introduces a powerful, foreign, and future naval power. It establishes a dynamic where a distant aggressor will emerge as a dominant force. This hints at the transience of all earthly powers before God's ultimate plan.
• "and afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber": This highlights the broad and devastating reach of the Kittim-derived power. The repeated "afflict" (עִנָּה) underscores the severe nature of the oppression. It also emphasizes that great empires and various peoples (Asshur, representing the known great powers, and Eber, perhaps other regional entities or more distant peoples) would be subjected to this foreign influence.
• "and he also shall perish forever": This powerful concluding statement signifies ultimate divine judgment. Regardless of their initial success as afflicters, even the seemingly invincible future power (Kittim) will not escape God's overarching judgment. This reinforces the biblical principle that no earthly empire, no matter how great or instrumental, possesses eternal power; only God's kingdom endures eternally. It is a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty over all history.

Numbers 24 24 Bonus section

The specific choice of "Eber" alongside "Asshur" in this context could signify a broader geographic sweep beyond Mesopotamia, touching upon areas linked to the broader "Hebrew" ancestral lines or simply general Trans-Euphrates regions. This expands the scope of the prophecy to encompass many Middle Eastern peoples, not just Assyria, emphasizing the widespread impact of Kittim. The phrase "perish forever" uses an adverb for perpetuity (לָעַד - lâ‘ad), stressing the absolute and permanent nature of the destruction. This echoes a theme found throughout the Bible where temporal kingdoms pass away, but God's kingdom and His Word remain (e.g., Dan 2:44; 1 Pet 1:24-25). It subtly shifts the focus from the temporary might of human empires to the eternal nature of divine authority. The fulfillment of parts of this prophecy historically validates the divine inspiration behind Balaam's compelled utterances, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control over distant future events.

Numbers 24 24 Commentary

Numbers 24:24 is a testament to the panoramic sweep of divine prophecy, moving beyond immediate events to foreshadow future world history and the ultimate fate of nations. Balaam's prophecy reveals that God is not just the God of Israel but the sovereign Lord over all peoples and empires. The coming of "ships from Kittim" symbolizes the emergence of a significant Western maritime power, which history often interprets as referencing the Greeks (Macedonian empire) and later the Romans, who indeed afflicted and brought low established powers like the remnants of Assyria and peoples in "Eber" (Mesopotamia/Near East). This highlights God's use of even pagan nations to accomplish His purposes in judgment and reordering the global landscape. Yet, the final clause—"he also shall perish forever"—is a profound theological declaration. It serves as a stark reminder that every earthly kingdom, no matter how dominant or successful in its conquests, is temporal and subject to God's final and absolute judgment. It contrasts sharply with the enduring, eternal nature of God's covenant and His ultimate kingdom, which is emphasized elsewhere in scripture. The rise and fall of empires are ultimately orchestrated by the Creator who alone has everlasting dominion.