Numbers 23:9

I have seen them from the tops of the rocky peaks. I see that they are a group of people who live by themselves; they have separated themselves from other nations.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

In Context

8But ◄how can I curse people whom God has not cursed?/I certainly cannot curse people whom God has not cursed!► [RHQ] ◄How can I condemn people whom Yahweh has not condemned?/I cannot condemn people whom Yahweh has not condemned!► [RHQ]

10◄Who can count the descendants of Jacob; they are as numerous as particles of <dust/dirt>?/No one can count the descendants of Jacob; they are as numerous as particles of <dust/dirt>!► [RHQ] ◄Who can count even a quarter of the Israeli people?/No one can count even a quarter of the Israeli people!► [RHQ] I wish/hope that I will die like righteous people die; I hope that I will die peacefully like they will die.”

Read all of Numbers 23

Cross References

Exodus 19:5So now, if you will do what I tell you and obey all that I command you, you will be my own people. All the people-groups on the earth are mine, but you will be ◄dearer/more special► to me than all the other people-groups.

Deuteronomy 32:8When God, who is greater than any other god, long ago divided the people into groups, he assigned to the nations their land. He determined where each people-group should live and ◄assigned to/chose for► each people-group a god/angel.

Ezra 9:2Specifically, some Israeli men have married women who are not Israelis, and they have allowed their sons to do the same thing. So we, God’s sacred people, have become ◄contaminated/polluted in God’s sight►. And some of our leaders and officials have been the first/worst ones to do this.”

Jeremiah 46:28I, Yahweh, say to you people of Israel who serve me, ‘Do not be afraid, because I will be with you. I will completely destroy the nations among whom I have scattered you, but I will not completely get rid of you. I will punish you, but I will punish you only as severely as you deserve: It would be wrong if I did not punish you at all.’”

Micah 7:14Yahweh, protect your people like [MET] a shepherd protects his sheep by using his walking stick; lead your people [MET] whom you have chosen to belong to you. Even though some of them live by themselves in a forest, give them the fertile pastureland in the Bashan and Gilead regions that they possessed long ago.

2 Corinthians 6:17In another place in the Scriptures we read that the Lord said: Get away from those who do evil things; keep yourselves separated from them. Do nothing sinful that would make you unacceptable to me. Then I will welcome you as members of my family.

Matthew Henry on Numbers 23:2-13

Balaam Constrained to Bless Israel; The Blessing Pronounced on Israel. ( b. c. 1452.) 1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the Lord will come to meet me: and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. 4 And God met Balaam: and he… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 23:9