Numbers 24 9

Numbers 24:9 kjv

He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

Numbers 24:9 nkjv

'He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?' "Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you."

Numbers 24:9 niv

Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness?who dares to rouse them? "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!"

Numbers 24:9 esv

He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you."

Numbers 24:9 nlt

Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down;
like a lioness, who dares to arouse her?
Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel,
and cursed is everyone who curses you."

Numbers 24 verses

Numbers 24 9 Meaning

Numbers 24:9 vividly portrays Israel's strength, security, and the divine protection surrounding them. Through the prophetic utterance of Balaam, God declares Israel's established power and their secure dwelling, likened to a majestic, undisturbed lion. The verse then affirms the enduring Abrahamic covenant, pronouncing blessings upon those who bless Israel and curses upon those who seek to harm them, emphasizing God's direct involvement in their destiny and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.

Numbers 24 9 Context

Numbers chapter 24 details the fourth and final set of prophecies uttered by Balaam regarding Israel. Hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites, Balaam is repeatedly compelled by the Spirit of God to speak blessings instead of curses. This verse (24:9) comes as a powerful culmination of these divine pronouncements, reaffirming Israel's blessed status and demonstrating God's sovereign control over even a prophet who initially intended harm. The immediate historical context involves the Moabites' fear of Israel's presence on their border, leading Balak to seek a magical curse. Balaam's inability to curse, despite his efforts and Balak's pressure, highlights God's protective shield over His chosen people and the inviolability of His covenant.

Numbers 24 9 Word analysis

• He couched (שָׁכַב - shakhav): This Hebrew verb means "to lie down," often in rest or sleep, but also implies settling down or being established. Here, it suggests Israel's secure, unthreatened state. It signifies a natural, relaxed posture of power, not an agitated or defensive one.
• he lay down (רָבַץ - ravats): Another verb meaning "to lie down," particularly used for a beast or animal crouching. It emphasizes a firm, stable position of repose and readiness. For a lion, it denotes powerful ease, dominance, and an intimidating presence, even in rest.
• as a lion (כְּלָבִיא - k'lavi): "Lion" (לָבִיא - lavi) symbolizes strength, majesty, fearlessness, and royalty. This comparison attributes these qualities to Israel. The lion is often an emblem of a formidable and unconquerable nation or ruler in ancient Near Eastern thought.
• and as a great lion (וּכְלָבִיא - ukh'lavi, לָבִיא גָּדוֹל - lavi gadol): The repetition and addition of "great" (גָּדוֹל - gadol) amplify the imagery. It intensifies the description of Israel's power, signifying a fully grown, majestic, and supremely dominant lion – unparalleled in strength and authority, asserting full command over its territory.
• who shall stir him up? (מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ - mi y'qimenhu?): This is a rhetorical question that functions as a strong declaration. It asserts that no one possesses the power or audacity to challenge or awaken the "lion" (Israel) from its repose without facing devastating consequences. It underscores Israel's invulnerability under divine protection, rendering any adversarial action futile.
• Blessed is he that blesseth thee (בָּרוּךְ מְבָרְכֶיךָ - barukh m'varkheykha): "Blessed" (בָּרוּךְ - barukh) signifies divine favor and prosperity. This clause directly echoes God's covenant with Abraham in Gen 12:3. It implies that blessing Israel means aligning with God's divine purpose and receiving His favor in return.
• and cursed is he that curseth thee (וְאָרוּר אֹרְרֶיךָ - v'arur orreykha): "Cursed" (אָרוּר - arur) denotes divine judgment and malediction. This part of the covenant promise makes it clear that opposing or attempting to harm God's chosen people will incur severe divine retribution. It serves as a stark warning to all adversaries of Israel throughout history.

Words-group Analysis:

• "He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion": This vivid double imagery emphasizes Israel's secure and dominant position, divinely established. It speaks not of frantic striving, but of a settled, powerful existence. The lion in repose suggests inherent strength that needs no outward display of aggression, yet commands respect and fear.
• "who shall stir him up?": This rhetorical challenge signifies God's absolute commitment to protecting His people. It reveals Israel's impregnable security, implying that disturbing them is tantamount to disturbing God Himself, whose power none can withstand. It highlights the divine, rather than human, source of Israel's formidable power.
• "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee": This direct reiteration of the Abrahamic covenant establishes a profound theological principle. It ties the fate of nations and individuals directly to their treatment of Israel, positioning them as an instrument through which God executes blessing or judgment on the world. It assures Israel of divine vindication and protection.

Numbers 24 9 Bonus section

The repeated lion imagery in Balaam's prophecies (including earlier in Num 23:24) emphasizes a deep prophetic connection. Not only does it highlight Israel's general strength, but in Jewish tradition, and later in Christian theology, the lion is specifically associated with the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9). This tribal identity prefigures the Davidic kingship and ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is explicitly called the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev 5:5). Thus, Balaam's vision implicitly connects Israel's divine protection and unconquerable nature to the future messianic king. The promise of blessing and cursing upon nations based on their treatment of Israel finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual expansion in their relationship with the Messiah and His body, the Church, where to touch His people is to touch Him.

Numbers 24 9 Commentary

Numbers 24:9 functions as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty over His chosen people, Israel. The imagery of the "lion" profoundly illustrates Israel's divinely bestowed strength, dignity, and security. Unlike a weak prey, Israel is depicted as a formidable predator at rest, whose peace must not be disturbed. This posture is not passive but signifies settled dominion and a latent power that none dare provoke. The rhetorical question, "who shall stir him up?", powerfully affirms God's protective presence, rendering any attempt to harm Israel futile and disastrous for the aggressor.

Moreover, the verse anchors Israel's destiny in the foundational Abrahamic covenant, where God promised to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse them. Balaam, though hired to curse, is supernaturally compelled to utter this ancient, inviolable promise. This reinforces that God's plan for Israel is unchangeable and transcends human malice or political machinations. It warns nations and individuals throughout history that their treatment of Israel holds divine implications. This principle finds echo in the New Testament, extending blessings to those who belong to Christ, who is the ultimate "Lion of the tribe of Judah." The verse thus serves as both a testament to God's eternal promise to Israel and a powerful warning to their adversaries, demonstrating God's direct and active role in upholding His covenant.