1When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. (Nu 23:3; Nu 23:15)2And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, (Nu 2:22; Jud 3:10; 1Sa 19:20; 1Sa 19:23; 2Ch 15:1; 2Ch 20:14)3and he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,[1] (Nu 23:7)4the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: (Eze 1:28; Eze 3:23; Re 1:10; Re 1:17)5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!6Like palm groves[2] that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. (Ps 1:3; Ps 104:16; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8)7Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. (1Sa 15:8; 2Sa 5:12; 1Ch 14:2; Jer 51:13; Re 17:1)8God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. (Nu 14:9; Nu 23:22; Nu 23:24; Ps 45:5; Isa 38:13; Jer 50:9; Jer 50:17)9He 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.” (Ge 12:3; Ge 27:29; Ge 49:9; Nu 23:24)10And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. (Nu 23:11; Job 27:23; La 2:15; Eze 21:14; Eze 21:17; Eze 22:13)11Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” (Nu 22:17; Nu 22:37)12And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me,13‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’? (Nu 16:28; Nu 22:18)14And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” (Ge 49:1; Mic 6:5; Re 2:14)
Balaam’s Final Oracle
15And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, (Nu 21:27; Nu 23:7)16the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: (Nu 24:4; Ac 7:48)17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead[3] of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. (Ge 49:10; Nu 23:9; 2Sa 8:2; Jer 48:45; Mt 2:2; Re 22:16)18Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. (Ge 32:3; Ge 36:8; 2Sa 8:14; Ps 60:8; Am 9:12)19And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!”20Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” (Ex 17:14; Nu 23:7; 1Sa 15:3; 1Sa 15:8)21And 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.22Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.”23And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?24But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.” (Ge 10:4; Ge 10:21; Ge 10:25; Nu 24:20; Da 11:30)25Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way. (Nu 31:8)
Numbers 24
New International Version
from Biblica1Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face towards the wilderness.2When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him3and he spoke his message: ‘The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty,[1] who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:5‘How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling-places, Israel!6‘Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. ‘Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.8‘God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them.9Like 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!’10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, ‘I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times.11Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.’12Balaam answered Balak, ‘Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,13“Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord – and I must say only what the Lord says”?14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.’
Balaam’s fourth message
15Then he spoke his message: ‘The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:17‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls[2] of[3] all the people of Sheth.[4] (Jer 48:45)18Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.’20Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: ‘Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction.’
Balaam’s fifth message Balaam’s sixth message
21Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: ‘Your dwelling-place is secure, your nest is set in a rock;22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive.’
Balaam’s seventh message
23Then he spoke his message: ‘Alas! Who can live when God does this?[5]24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin.’25Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
Numbers 24
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1Balaam saw that the LORD was pleased to give his blessing to Israel. So he didn’t try to use evil magic as he had done at other times. Instead, he turned and looked towards the desert.2He looked out and saw Israel. They had set up their camps tribe by tribe. The Spirit of God came on him.3Balaam spoke the message he had received from God. He said, ‘Here is the message God gave Balaam, the son of Beor. It’s the message God gave to the one who sees clearly.4It’s the message God gave to the one who hears the words of God. He sees a vision from the Mighty One. He falls down flat with his face towards the ground. His eyes have been opened by the LORD.5‘People of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful. Israel, the places where you live are very beautiful.6‘They spread out like valleys. They are like gardens beside a river. They are like aloes the LORD has planted. They are like cedar trees beside a stream.7Their water buckets will run over. Their seeds will have plenty of water. ‘Their king will be greater than King Agag. Their kingdom will be honoured.8‘God brought them out of Egypt. They are as strong as a wild ox. They destroy nations at war with them. They break their bones in pieces. They wound them with their arrows.9Like a male lion they lie down and sleep. They are like a female lion. Who dares to wake them up? ‘May those who bless you be blessed! May those who curse you be cursed!’10Then Balak became very angry with Balaam. He slapped his hands together. He said to Balaam, ‘I sent for you to put a curse on my enemies. But you have given them a blessing three times.11Get out of here right away! Go home! I said I’d make you very rich. But the LORD has kept you from getting rich.’12Balaam answered Balak, ‘Here is what I told the messengers you sent me.13I said, “Balak could give me all the silver and gold in his palace. Even if I wanted to, I still couldn’t do anything at all that goes beyond what the LORD commands. I must say only what the LORD tells me to say.”14Now I’m going back to my people. But come. Let me warn you about what these people will do to your people in days to come.’
Balaam’s fourth message from God
15Then Balaam spoke the message he had received from God. He said, ‘Here is the message God gave Balaam, the son of Beor. It’s the message God gave to the one who sees clearly.16It’s the message God gave to the one who hears the words of God. The Most High God has given him knowledge. He sees a vision from the Mighty One. He falls down flat with his face towards the ground. His eyes have been opened by the LORD.17‘I see him, but I don’t see him now. I view him, but he isn’t near. A star will come from among the people of Jacob. A king will rise up out of Israel. He’ll crush the foreheads of the people of Moab. He’ll crush the heads of all the people of Sheth.18He’ll win the battle over Edom. He’ll win the battle over his enemy Seir. But Israel will grow strong.19A ruler will come from among the people of Jacob. He’ll destroy those from the city who are still alive.’20Then Balaam saw the Amalekites. He spoke the message he had received from God. He said, ‘Amalek was the first nation to attack Israel. But their end will be total destruction.’
Balaam’s fifth message from God Balaam’s sixth message from God
21Then Balaam saw the Kenites. He spoke the message he had received from God. He said, ‘The place where you live is safe. Your nest is on a high cliff.22But you Kenites will be destroyed. Ashur will take you as prisoners.’
Balaam’s seventh message from God
23Then Balaam spoke the message he had received from God. He said, ‘Who can live when God does this?24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus. They will bring Ashur and Eber under their control. But they themselves will also be destroyed.’25Then Balaam got up and returned home. And Balak went on his way.
Numbers 24
King James Version
1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance , but having his eyes open:5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river' side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.8God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.9He 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.10And Balak' anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance , but having his eyes open:17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.23And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!24And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.25And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Numbers 24
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
from Katholisches Bibelwerk1Bileam aber sah, dass es gut war in den Augen des HERRN, Israel zu segnen. Da ließ er sich nicht wie die vorigen Male auf Zaubereien ein, sondern wandte sein Gesicht der Wüste zu.2Als Bileam aufblickte, sah er Israel im Lager, nach Stämmen geordnet. Da kam der Geist Gottes über ihn,3er begann mit seinem Orakelspruch und sagte:
Spruch Bileams, des Sohnes Beors, /
Spruch des Mannes mit geöffnetem Auge, / (Nu 24:15)4Spruch dessen, der Gottesworte hört, /
der eine Vision des Allmächtigen sieht, /
der niedersinkt mit entschleierten Augen: /5Jakob, wie schön sind deine Zelte, /
deine Wohnungen, Israel! / (Ps 84:2)6Wie Bachtäler ziehen sie sich hin, /
wie Gärten an einem Strom, /
wie Aloebäume, vom HERRN gepflanzt, /
wie Zedern am Wasser. /7Von seinen Schöpfeimern rinnt das Wasser, /
reichlich Wasser hat seine Saat. /
Sein König möge Agag überlegen sein /
und seine Königsherrschaft sich erheben. / (1Sa 15:8)8Ja, Gott hat ihn aus Ägypten herausgeführt. /
Er hat Hörner wie ein Wildstier. /
Er frisst die Nationen, die ihm Feind sind, /
er zermalmt ihre Knochen und zerbricht ihre Pfeile. / (Nu 23:22)9Er duckt sich, liegt da wie ein Löwe, /
wie eine Löwin. Wer wagt es, sie aufzujagen? /
Wer dich segnet, ist gesegnet, /
und wer dich verflucht, ist verflucht. (Ge 12:3; Ge 27:29; Nu 22:6)10Da wurde Balak zornig auf Bileam. Er schlug die Hände zusammen und sagte zu Bileam: Ich habe dich gerufen, damit du meine Feinde verwünschst, siehe, du aber hast sie schon dreimal gesegnet.11Und jetzt flieh dorthin, woher du gekommen bist! Ich habe versprochen, dir einen hohen Lohn zu geben, doch siehe, der HERR hat dich daran gehindert, ihn zu erhalten.12Bileam antwortete Balak: Habe ich nicht schon zu deinen Boten, die du zu mir geschickt hast, gesagt:13Auch wenn mir Balak sein Haus voll Silber und Gold gibt, kann ich dem Befehl des HERRN nicht zuwiderhandeln und nach eigenem Gutdünken Gutes oder Böses bewirken. Ich muss sagen, was der HERR sagt. (Nu 22:18)14Siehe, ich gehe jetzt zu meinem Volk zurück. Ich will dir aber noch verraten, was dieses Volk deinem Volk in der Zukunft antun wird.15Und er begann mit seinem Orakelspruch und sagte:
Spruch Bileams, des Sohnes Beors, /
Spruch des Mannes mit geöffnetem Auge, /16Spruch dessen, der Gottesworte hört /
und die Kunde des Höchsten kennt, /
der eine Vision des Allmächtigen sieht, /
der niedersinkt mit entschleierten Augen: /17Ich sehe ihn, aber nicht jetzt, /
ich erblicke ihn, aber nicht in der Nähe: /
Ein Stern geht in Jakob auf, /
ein Zepter erhebt sich in Israel. /
Er zerschlägt Moab die Schläfen /
und allen Söhnen Sets den Schädel. / (Ge 49:10; Mt 2:2)18Edom wird Eigentum, /
Seïr wird Eigentum seiner Feinde /
und Israel wird Starkes tun. /19Aus Jakob steigt einer herab /
und richtet zugrunde, was aus der Stadt entkam.20Dann sah er Amalek; er begann mit seinem Orakelspruch und sagte:
Die erste unter den Nationen war Amalek, /
doch seine Zukunft ist Untergang. (1Sa 15:2)21Dann sah er die Keniter; er begann mit seinem Orakelspruch und sagte:
Dein Wohnsitz ist sicher und fest, /
dein Nest ist auf Felsen gebaut; / (1Sa 15:6)22doch Kain wird fortgeschafft werden. /
Nicht mehr lange, dann führt Assur dich gefangen weg.23Er begann mit seinem Orakelspruch und sagte:
Weh, wer wird am Leben bleiben, wenn Gott das tut? /24Schiffe kommen von den Kittäern, /
sie demütigen Assur, sie demütigen Eber. /
Doch auch er endet im Untergang.25Dann stand Bileam auf, ging und kehrte in seine Heimat zurück und auch Balak zog seines Weges.