Numbers 24:9

The Israelis are like lions that crouch and lie down, ready to pounce on their prey [SIM]. They are like lionesses that are resting, but ready to attack; no one [RHQ] would dare to arouse them! God will bless everyone who blesses you Israelis, and he will curse everyone who curses you.”

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

8God brought the Israelis out of Egypt, leading them along with his great power [MTY] like a wild ox has. He devastates all the nations that oppose him; he breaks all those people’s bones into pieces, and shoots them with his arrows.

10Then King Balak was extremely angry with Balaam. He showed with his hands that he was very angry, and he shouted at Balaam, “I summoned you here to curse my enemies! Instead, you have ◄blessed/asked God to bless► them three times!

Read all of Numbers 24

Cross References

Genesis 12:3I will bless those who ◄bless/ask God to do good things for► you, and I will ◄curse/ask God to punish► those who do evil things to you. And because of what you do, groups of people all over the earth will receive blessings (OR, people will wish that God will bless others as much as he has blessed you).”

Genesis 49:9Judah is like a young lion [SIM] that has returned to its den satisfied after eating the animals that it has killed. He is like a lion that lies down and stretches out after eating; no one would dare to disturb it [RHQ].

Deuteronomy 30:7Yahweh our God will cause your enemies and those who oppressed/persecuted you to experience all the disasters that I have told you about.

2 Chronicles 9:18There were six steps in front of the throne. There was a gold footstool that was attached to the throne. At each side of the throne there was an armrest, and alongside each armrest there was a small statue of a lion.

Job 38:39“When a lioness and her cubs crouch in their dens or hide in a thicket, waiting for some animal to pass by that they can kill, can you find animals for a lioness to kill so that she and her cubs can eat the meat and not be hungry any more?

Psalms 2:12Bow down humbly before his son! If you do not do that, Yahweh will be angry, and he will suddenly get rid of you. Do not forget that he can very quickly show that he is very angry! But he is very pleased with all those who request him to protect them [MET].

Matthew Henry on Numbers 24:2-10

Balaam Blesses Israel a Third Time. ( b. c. 1452.) 1 And 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. 2 And 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. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4 He hath said, which heard the words of God,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 24:9