Numbers 24:4 kjv
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Numbers 24:4 nkjv
The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:
Numbers 24:4 niv
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
Numbers 24:4 esv
the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
Numbers 24:4 nlt
the message of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who bows down with eyes wide open:
Numbers 24 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prophetic Revelation and Seeing God | ||
| Gen 15:1 (Old Testament) | After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision... | God reveals Himself in visions. |
| 1 Sam 9:9 (Old Testament) | Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, let us go to the seer," for today's prophet was formerly called a seer. | The concept of "seeing" God's revelation. |
| Isa 1:1 (Old Testament) | The vision of Isaiah... which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem... | Prophetic revelation as a "vision." |
| Isa 6:1 (Old Testament) | I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up... | Direct, powerful vision of God. |
| Ezek 1:1 (Old Testament) | ...the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. | Ezekiel's clear reception of divine visions. |
| Dan 8:1 (Old Testament) | In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me... | Daniel receiving explicit divine visions. |
| Amos 7:7 (Old Testament) | This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line... | Amos seeing specific divine visions. |
| Joel 2:28 (Old Testament) | ...your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. | Prophetic outpouring including visions. |
| Rev 1:1 (New Testament) | The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants... | Revelation as "seeing" a vision. |
| Acts 7:55 (New Testament) | But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God... | Stephen seeing divine glory with clear sight. |
| Divine Names and Attributes | ||
| Gen 17:1 (Old Testament) | When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]..." | God revealing Himself as "El Shaddai." |
| Gen 28:3 (Old Testament) | God Almighty [El Shaddai] bless you and make you fruitful... | El Shaddai associated with blessings. |
| Gen 35:11 (Old Testament) | God said to him, "I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]; be fruitful and multiply..." | El Shaddai emphasizes God's power. |
| Ex 6:3 (Old Testament) | I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. | Distinction and significance of El Shaddai. |
| Clarity of Revelation and Understanding | ||
| Num 12:6-8 (Old Testament) | If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision... With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly... | Contrasting modes of divine communication, emphasizing clarity for Moses. |
| 2 Cor 3:14-16 (New Testament) | But their minds were hardened... when Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts... But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. | Spiritual "eyes uncovered" leads to clarity. |
| Eph 1:18 (New Testament) | having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you... | Spiritual enlightenment leading to clear understanding. |
| Prov 29:18 (Old Testament) | Where there is no vision [revelation], the people perish... | Lack of divine vision/revelation leads to chaos. |
| Physical Manifestation of Encounter | ||
| Gen 15:12 (Old Testament) | As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram... | Physical reactions to divine encounter. |
| Dan 10:8-9 (Old Testament) | So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me... | Daniel physically weakened by vision. |
| Rev 1:17 (New Testament) | When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead... | John's prostrate reaction to seeing Christ. |
Numbers 24 verses
Numbers 24 4 Meaning
Numbers 24:4 describes Balaam's state as he receives divine revelation. It highlights that he is supernaturally gifted to hear God's direct words and clearly see visions from the Almighty. This revelation comes while he is prostrated, yet his spiritual understanding, referred to as "eyes," is supernaturally opened or "uncovered," signifying unhindered and clear perception of the divine message, not an ecstatic trance where understanding is clouded.
Numbers 24 4 Context
Numbers chapter 24 is the fourth oracle delivered by Balaam. After three attempts to curse Israel at Balak's command, Balaam, against his own desire, is divinely compelled to bless them. This particular verse (24:4) describes Balaam's prophetic state immediately before delivering a profound oracle about Israel's future glory, including prophecies of a coming king (24:7) and Messiah (24:17). The preceding verses (24:2-3) also mention the Spirit of God coming upon him and setting the scene for his inspired words. The historical context involves Moab's fear of the successful Israelites, leading Balak to seek a renowned diviner to curse them. The description of Balaam's altered but clear state in Numbers 24:4 stands as a contrast to pagan ecstatic trances, emphasizing the genuine and authoritative divine origin of his utterances.
Numbers 24 4 Word analysis
- The oracle of him who hears: Refers to a divinely inspired utterance, a neum (נְאֻם), typically a prophetic declaration originating from God, used for divine speech, e.g., "the oracle of the LORD." This establishes the divine source and authority of Balaam's words.
- words of God: Hebrew imrei 'El (אִמְרֵי אֵל). 'El (אֵל) is a common Semitic term for God, often used for the supreme deity. It can imply a broader understanding of the divine accessible to those outside the covenant, yet here applied to Yahweh's direct communication to Balaam. This phrase highlights direct, audible reception of divine instruction.
- who sees the vision: Hebrew hazeh mahazeh (חֹזֶה מַחֲזֵה). Hazah (חָזָה) means to gaze upon, to behold, especially in a prophetic context to see a vision. Mahazeh (מַחֲזֵה) is the specific visual revelation. This signifies Balaam's clear apprehension of spiritual realities beyond the natural realm.
- of the Almighty: Hebrew Shaddai (שַׁדַּי). This divine name, "El Shaddai," God Almighty, is especially prominent in the patriarchal narratives, emphasizing God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His covenant-keeping power. Its use here reinforces the strength and absolute authority of the source of the vision, particularly significant given Balaam's non-Israelite background.
- falling prostrate: Hebrew nophel (נֹפֵל). Describes a physical act of falling down, often indicative of being overwhelmed by the presence or power of God, or a posture of deep reverence. This indicates a physical response to the profound encounter, suggesting humility or the physical impact of divine energy.
- but having his eyes uncovered: Hebrew galuy 'ayin (גְּל֣וּי עֵינַיִם). This is a crucial phrase. "Uncovered eyes" suggests that his spiritual sight or inner perception is unveiled and opened, allowing him to see divine truth clearly, as opposed to being in a blind trance, asleep, or unconscious. It indicates divine enlightenment and unobstructed spiritual vision, contrasting sharply with common ancient Near Eastern divinatory practices which often involved a state of drugged or induced stupor. It signifies mental clarity and spiritual revelation even as he is physically prostrate.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- The oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision: This combination emphasizes Balaam's comprehensive mode of revelation: both auditory (hearing words) and visual (seeing visions). It validates his prophecies as true divine utterances, not personal insights or divinatory trickery.
- of the Almighty, falling prostrate, but having his eyes uncovered: This group contrasts Balaam's physical vulnerability or humility (falling prostrate) with his spiritual clarity and perceptive understanding (eyes uncovered). The source of this profound encounter is "the Almighty," signifying supreme power. The clear, "uncovered" spiritual sight underlines the genuine, direct, and non-mystical nature of this divine encounter, differentiating it from pagan forms of prophecy.
Numbers 24 4 Bonus section
The mention of "Shaddai" is significant because it's a name that evokes God's power and self-sufficiency, frequently associated with His covenant dealings with the patriarchs. For Balaam, a non-covenant figure, to receive visions specifically from "Shaddai" emphasizes that this God is the ultimate sovereign power, not a local deity, and that His dealings are absolute. This verse also serves as an argument for the clarity and control of genuine divine inspiration. Unlike the wild ecstasy sometimes attributed to pagan prophets, Balaam's experience, though physically overwhelming, left his spiritual perception keenly focused and unobscured. This clarity reinforces the reliability of the prophecies he then delivered about Israel's destiny and the coming Messiah.
Numbers 24 4 Commentary
Numbers 24:4 paints a vivid picture of Balaam in a state of authentic, divine inspiration. While his intention was to curse Israel, God's Spirit compelled him to prophesy. This verse describes the manner of that prophecy: it was not a human concoction or a typical pagan divination but a clear, direct revelation from God. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet for hire, received this direct access to God's words and visions, showcasing God's sovereignty even over those who oppose His plans. His physical prostration indicates being overwhelmed by God's presence, while his "uncovered eyes" denote a profound and unhindered spiritual clarity, distinguishing his experience from the obscured visions often associated with idolatrous practices. This detail emphasizes the truthfulness and clarity of the subsequent oracle. God can use any vessel, even a reluctant one, to proclaim His truth with profound lucidity when He chooses to act.