Numbers 24:15
Numbers 24:15 in Multiple Translations
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith;
Then he went on with his story and said, These are the words of Balaam, the son of Beor, the words of him whose eyes are open:
Then Balaam gave a declaration, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are wide open
And he vttered his parable, and sayd, Balaam the sonne of Beor hath sayde, and the man whose eyes were shut vp, hath sayd,
And he taketh up his simile, and saith: 'An affirmation of Balaam son of Beor — And an affirmation of the man whose eyes [are] shut —
He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
Therefore taking up his parable, again he said: Balaam the son of Beor hath said: The man whose eye is stopped up, hath said:
So Balaam said this to Balak: “I, Balaam, son of Beor, am again giving a prophecy, speaking as a man who sees what will happen in the future clearly speaks.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 24:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 24:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשָּׂ֥א
מְשָׁל֖/וֹ
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
נְאֻ֤ם
בִּלְעָם֙
בְּנ֣/וֹ
בְעֹ֔ר
וּ/נְאֻ֥ם
הַ/גֶּ֖בֶר
שְׁתֻ֥ם
הָ/עָֽיִן
וַ/יִּשָּׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מְשָׁל֖/וֹ
mâshâl
H4912
proverb
N-ms | Suff
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
נְאֻ֤ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
בִּלְעָם֙
Bilʻâm
H1109
Balaam
N-proper
בְּנ֣/וֹ
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
בְעֹ֔ר
Bᵉʻôwr
H1160
Beor
N-proper
וּ/נְאֻ֥ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
Conj | N-ms
הַ/גֶּ֖בֶר
geber
H1397
great man
Art | N-ms
שְׁתֻ֥ם
shâtham
H8365
to open
V-Qal-Inf-c
הָ/עָֽיִן
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 24:15
וַ/יִּשָּׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
מְשָׁל֖/וֹ
mâshâl
H4912
"proverb"
N-ms | Suff
A proverb is a short saying that teaches a lesson, often using comparisons or metaphors, like those found in the book of Proverbs. It's a way of sharing wisdom and insight. Proverbs are used by Solomon and other biblical writers.
Definition: 1) proverb, parable 1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism 1b) byword 1c) similitude, parable 1d) poem 1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: byword, like, parable, proverb. See also: Numbers 23:7; Psalms 78:2; Psalms 44:15.
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נְאֻ֤ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
בִּלְעָם֙
Bilʻâm
H1109
"Balaam"
N-proper
Balaam was a prophet from Mesopotamia, also the name of a place in Palestine. He is known for trying to curse the Israelites in the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5; son of: Beor (H1160H) Also named: Balaam (Βαλαάμ "Balaam" G0903) § Balaam = "not of the people" the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Balaam, Bileam. See also: Numbers 22:5; Numbers 23:2; Micah 6:5.
בְּנ֣/וֹ
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בְעֹ֔ר
Bᵉʻôwr
H1160
"Beor"
N-proper
Beor was a man in the Bible, the father of Balaam, a famous prophet, and also the father of Bela, an Edomite king. His name means 'burning' and he is mentioned in the book of Numbers. The KJV translates it as 'Beor'.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5; father of: Balaam (H1109A) Also named: Bosor, Beōr (Βοσόρ, Βεώρ "Beor" G1007) § Beor = "burning" 1) father of Balaam 2) father of Bela, king of Edom
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Beor. See also: Genesis 36:32; Deuteronomy 23:5; Micah 6:5.
וּ/נְאֻ֥ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
הַ/גֶּ֖בֶר
geber
H1397
"great man"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a great man or warrior, emphasizing strength or ability to fight, used to describe a person of valor. It is translated as 'man' or 'mighty' in the KJV. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of strong leaders.
Definition: man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: every one, man, [idiom] mighty. See also: Exodus 10:11; Psalms 88:5; Psalms 34:9.
שְׁתֻ֥ם
shâtham
H8365
"to open"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This verb means to open or unveil something, like a secret or a hidden truth. It is used figuratively in the Bible to reveal something new.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to open 1a) meaning uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: be open. See also: Numbers 24:3; Numbers 24:15.
הָ/עָֽיִן
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Art | N-cs
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Numbers 24:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 24:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 24:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 24:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 24:15
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 24:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 24:15
- Sermons on Numbers 24:15
Context — Balaam’s Fourth Oracle
13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
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 bows down with eyes wide open: 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 24:3–4 | and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: |
| 2 | Numbers 23:7 | And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ |
| 3 | Matthew 13:35 | So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” |
| 4 | Job 27:1 | Job continued his discourse: |
| 5 | Numbers 23:18 | Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. |
Numbers 24:15 Summary
[This verse is about a man named Balaam who is speaking a message from God, and he says that he has been given special insight and understanding by God, similar to what we see in Jeremiah 1:5, where God knows and calls us before we are born. Balaam is saying that he can see and proclaim God's plans, and this is a demonstration of God's power and sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 115:3, where God does whatever He pleases. This verse is an introduction to a larger prophecy that speaks of the coming Messiah and the triumph of God's people, and it reminds us that God is in control and that He will accomplish His purposes, as seen in Isaiah 46:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Balaam to 'lift up an oracle' in Numbers 24:15?
When Balaam lifts up an oracle, it means he is speaking a message from God, as seen in other prophecies like Isaiah 13:1, where the prophet speaks an oracle against Babylon.
How can Balaam, a non-Israelite, claim to have his eyes open to God's prophecy?
Balaam's ability to prophesy is a demonstration of God's sovereignty, as seen in Numbers 22:9-12, where God speaks to Balaam and he responds, showing that God can use anyone to proclaim His message, regardless of their background, as also seen in Amos 7:14-15.
What does Balaam mean by saying he is 'a man whose eyes are open'?
Balaam's statement indicates that he has been given spiritual insight and understanding by God, allowing him to see and proclaim God's plans, similar to the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 6:16-17, where his eyes are opened to see the spiritual realm.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the prophecy in Numbers 24?
This verse serves as an introduction to the prophecy that follows, where Balaam speaks of the coming Messiah and the triumph of Israel over their enemies, as seen in verses 16-17, which point to the future redemption of God's people, echoing promises like Genesis 49:10.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to have my 'eyes open' to God's plan and purpose, and how can I cultivate this kind of spiritual awareness in my own life?
- How can I, like Balaam, be a vessel for God's message, even if I don't feel qualified or prepared?
- What are some areas in my life where I need God to 'open my eyes' to see His truth and wisdom, and how can I pray for this kind of insight?
- How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to use anyone to accomplish His purposes?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 24:15
And he took up his parable, and said,.... In this and the following verse; the same preface, in the same words, is made to his prophecy as before, [See comments on Numbers 24:3] [See comments on
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 24:15
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: (See the note on the word "said," Numbers 23:7) The repetition of the prefatory
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 24:15
Verse 15. The man whose eyes are open] See Clarke on Numbers 24:3. It seems strange that our version should have fallen into such a mistake as to render שתם shethum, open, which it does not signify, when the very sound of the word expresses the sense. The Vulgate has very properly preserved the true meaning, by rendering the clause cujus obturatus est oculus, he whose eyes are shut. The Targum first paraphrased the passage falsely, and most of the versions followed it.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 24:15
15–19. Balaam’s second prophetic message. This consists of seven couplets and a triplet.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 24:15
THE FOURTH , Numbers 24:15-24.In these prophecies there is a gradual unfolding of the divine purposes respecting Israel and his foes. In the first, there is a denial of any ability to curse those blessed of Jehovah.
Sermons on Numbers 24:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
We Have Seen His Star by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the wise men who followed a star to find Jesus. He emphasizes that this was not just a casual visit, but a matter of life and dea |
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Dynamic Daniel by Greg Locke | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being careful about what we watch and listen to, as it can have a negative impact on our hearts and minds. He warns agains |
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The Man Whose Eye Is Opened by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the critical need for spiritual sight in his sermon 'The Man Whose Eye Is Opened', illustrating how spiritual blindness is a pervasive issue affecting b |
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The Issue of Spiritual Sight by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks addresses the critical issue of spiritual sight, emphasizing that true spiritual vision is a miraculous gift from God, essential for both the initiation and growth |
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The Optimism of Faith by George Kulp | George Kulp preaches about the importance of having open eyes and a vision from God, using examples from history and the Bible to illustrate how those who trust in God's promises a |
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God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra |
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Heaven's View of Our Failures by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Balaam and the Israelites in the book of Numbers. Balaam, a prophet, sees a vision from God and falls down in awe. He describes |