1
וַיַּ֣רְא בִּלְעָ֗ם כִּ֣י ט֞וֹב בְּעֵינֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ לְבָרֵ֣ךְ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלֹא הָלַ֥ךְ כְּפַֽעַם בְּפַ֖עַם לִקְרַ֣את נְחָשִׁ֑ים וַיָּ֥שֶׁת אֶל הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר פָּנָֽיו
And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of YHWH to bless Israel, and he did not go, as at other times, to seek omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.
The chapter opens with Balaam's decisive turn: having seen that YHWH is settled on blessing Israel, he abandons the technical apparatus of omen-seeking altogether, setting up the Spirit-inspired oracles of vv.3-9 and 15-19.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיַּ֣רְאand he sawwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; here of Balaam's dawning recognition, echoing 22:41; 23:9,13 but now without a further omen-seeking act.
בִּלְעָ֗םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Subject of וַיַּרְאבִּלְעָם (H1109), the Aramean/Mesopotamian seer hired by Balak; etymology contested ('devourer of the people'?); a 'Balaam son of Beor' is independently attested in the Deir ʿAlla plaster inscription.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing content clause (object of וַיַּרְא)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces the perceived fact-clause.
ט֞וֹבwas goodQal perf 3ms (stative) · טוֹב (H2895)Predicate of complement clause (stative)→ Perfective/stative: a settled evaluative stateטוֹב (H2895) stative verb 'to be good, pleasing'; impersonal here — 'it was good in YHWH's eyes.'
בְּעֵינֵ֤יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N c.du construct · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial/locative prepositional phrase (estimation formula)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom בְּעֵינֵי פ׳ 'in the eyes/opinion of X' expresses subjective judgment.
יְהוָה֙YHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive after construct עֵינֵי (in the eyes of YHWH)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; it is Yahweh, not Balaam's usual diviner's gods, whose evaluation now governs Balaam's action.
לְבָרֵ֣ךְto blessprep לְ + Piel inf constr · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Epexegetical infinitive (explaining טוֹב, 'good [namely] to bless')→ Infinitival: purpose/content of the preceding evaluative clauseבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the very act Balak hired Balaam to prevent (22:6), now affirmed as good in YHWH's eyes.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of לְבָרֵךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as definite direct object; untranslated.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelNp · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of לְבָרֵךְיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, object of the blessing Balaam is now resolved to pronounce.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negated coordinate clause (contrast with previous oracles)לֹא (H3808) simple negative; marks a change in procedure from the first two oracles (23:3,15).
הָלַ֥ךְhe wentQal perf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: a customary act now abandonedהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; here of Balaam's earlier practice of going out to seek omens (cf. 23:3,15).
כְּפַֽעַםas at [other] timeprep כְּ + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial phrase of manner/comparison (idiom כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם 'as before')פַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occurrence, foot-fall'; idiom כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם 'as at other times' — cf. Exod 5:20; Judg 16:20.
בְּפַ֖עַםat [each] timeprep בְּ + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial phrase, second half of idiom כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַםפַּעַם (H6471) repeated with a different preposition forms the idiom 'as time by time, as usual.'
לִקְרַ֣אתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא II (H7125)Purpose infinitive (goal of former going)→ Infinitival: purpose — the sought encounter with omensקָרָא II (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; לִקְרַאת idiomatic 'to meet, against'; the technical goal of Balaam's divinatory outings.
נְחָשִׁ֑יםomensN m pl abs · נַחַשׁ (H5173)Object of לִקְרַאתנַחַשׁ (H5173) 'omen, divination, augury' (distinct from נָחָשׁ 'serpent'); the practice Balaam here forgoes.
וַיָּ֥שֶׁתand he set/turnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive turn of postureשִׁית (H7896) 'to set, place, put'; idiom 'he set his face toward' — a fixed, resolute orientation.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks direction of Balaam's gaze/face.
הַמִּדְבָּ֖רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Object of preposition אֶלמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; the open desert where Israel is encamped, in view from the heights.
פָּנָֽיוhis faceN c.pl construct + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of שִׁית idiom (שִׁית פָּנָיו אֶל 'to set his face toward')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plurale tantum); שִׁית פָּנִים אֶל is idiomatic 'to fix one's resolute gaze/purpose toward.'
2
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א בִלְעָ֜ם אֶת עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שֹׁכֵ֖ן לִשְׁבָטָ֑יו וַתְּהִ֥י עָלָ֖יו ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִֽים
And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, and the Spirit of God came upon him.
Two staged perceptions (sight of the ordered camp, then the Spirit's descent) replace the earlier ritual of omen-seeking; this verse supplies the narrative frame within which the third oracle (vv.3-9) is delivered.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֨אand he lifted upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; idiom נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם 'to lift up the eyes' = to look up and take deliberate notice.
בִלְעָ֜םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Subject of וַיִּשָּׂאבִּלְעָם (H1109), the seer; see note at 24:1.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֵינָיו)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
עֵינָ֗יוhis eyesN c.du construct + 3ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; here literal, completing the idiom נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם.
וַיַּרְא֙and he sawwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; this time Balaam sees the whole camp of Israel directly, not merely 'a part of the people' as in 22:41; 23:13.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking יִשְׂרָאֵל)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelNp · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of וַיַּרְאיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, now beheld in full, ordered encampment.
שֹׁכֵ֖ןdwellingQal ptc ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Participial predicate modifying יִשְׂרָאֵל (circumstantial)→ Participle: durative, depicted state — Israel encamped in ordered arrayשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, encamp, tabernacle'; root behind מִשְׁכָּן 'tabernacle' — the same verb used of YHWH's own dwelling among Israel.
לִשְׁבָטָ֑יוaccording to its tribesprep לְ + N m pl construct + 3ms suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Adverbial phrase of manner/distributionשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'rod, staff, tribe'; distributive — Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the ordered arrangement of Numbers 2.
וַתְּהִ֥יand came [to be]waw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the climactic turn of the sceneהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; 'came to be upon him' — the onset of prophetic empowerment.
עָלָ֖יוupon himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of the Spirit's coming)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the Spirit's coming 'upon' a person is the classic formula of charismatic seizure (cf. Judg 3:10; 1 Sam 10:10).
ר֥וּחַthe Spirit ofN c.sg construct · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of וַתְּהִירוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, wind, breath'; construct with אֱלֹהִים — the Spirit of God, source of true prophetic insight.
אֱלֹהִֽיםGodN m pl abs (of God) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive after construct רוּחַאֱלֹהִים (H430); the Spirit of God overtakes the pagan diviner, as with Saul (1 Sam 19:23) — genuine inspiration can seize even an outsider.
3
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר נְאֻ֤ם בִּלְעָם֙ בְּנ֣וֹ בְעֹ֔ר וּנְאֻ֥ם הַגֶּ֖בֶר שְׁתֻ֥ם הָעָֽיִן
And he took up his oracle and said: The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is opened.
The heading employs the elevated נְאֻם-formula normally reserved for divine speech (נְאֻם יְהוָה), here daringly claimed by the human seer; synonymous parallelism (נְאֻם...וּנְאֻם) frames Balaam's self-presentation before the oracle proper begins in v.4.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand he took upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375); idiom נָשָׂא מָשָׁל 'to take up a discourse/oracle' — a formal, elevated introduction marking solemn poetic speech (cf. 23:7,18).
מְשָׁל֖וֹhis oracleN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁל (H4912)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאמָשָׁל (H4912) 'proverb, oracle, poetic discourse'; a formal prophetic poem, elevated diction beyond ordinary prose speech.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-introducing verb, doubling נָשָׂא מְשָׁלוֹ for emphasis.
נְאֻ֤םutterance ofN m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Subject/predicate of nominal clause (formal oracular heading)נְאֻם (H5002) 'utterance, oracular declaration'; overwhelmingly a divine-speech formula elsewhere (נְאֻם יְהוָה); startling here applied to a human seer, claiming prophetic authority for Balaam's own words.
בִּלְעָם֙BalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Genitive after construct נְאֻםבִּלְעָם (H1109); see note at 24:1.
בְּנ֣וֹhis sonN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to בִּלְעָם, in construct with בְעֹרבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here 'son of,' introducing the patronymic.
בְעֹ֔רBeorNp · בְּעוֹר (H1160)Genitive after construct בְּנוֹ (patronymic)בְּעוֹר (H1160), Balaam's father; the name recurs in the Deir ʿAlla plaster inscription's 'Balaam son of Beor.'
וּנְאֻ֥םand the utterance ofconj וְ + N m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Coordinate subject/predicate, parallel to the first נְאֻם line (synonymous parallelism)נְאֻם (H5002) repeated in synonymous parallelism, elevating the self-introduction to formal, twofold oracular status.
הַגֶּ֖בֶרthe manart + N m sg abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Genitive after construct נְאֻם (second line)גֶּבֶר (H1397) 'strong man, warrior, man' (from גָּבַר 'to be strong'); a weightier term than אִישׁ, connoting the seer's potency despite his fallen posture (v.4).
שְׁתֻ֥םopened/closed [of]Qal pass ptc construct · שָׁתַם (H8365)Passive-participle predicate in construct with הָעָיִן (attributive to הַגֶּבֶר)→ Passive participle: a settled, defining conditionשָׁתַם (H8365), a rare root, traditionally read either 'opened' (LXX ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν, 'truly seeing') or 'closed/pierced-shut' (per Aramaic/Arabic cognates); the crux is ancient and unresolved — see chapter note.
הָעָֽיִןthe eyeart + N c.sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object of construct שְׁתֻם (genitive of specification)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן, lit. '[one] shut/opened of eye' — describing the paradox of Balaam's inward or trance-vision, whatever the precise sense of שְׁתֻם.
4
נְאֻ֕ם שֹׁמֵ֖עַ אִמְרֵי אֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר מַחֲזֵ֤ה שַׁדַּי֙ יֶֽחֱזֶ֔ה נֹפֵ֖ל וּגְל֥וּי עֵינָֽיִם
the utterance of him who hears the words of El, who beholds the vision of Shaddai, falling, yet with eyes uncovered.
A tricolon of prophetic self-authentication — hearing El's words, beholding Shaddai's vision, falling yet unveiled — establishes Balaam's visionary bona fides before the oracle's content (vv.5ff.) begins; the paradox of collapse-with-open-eyes is a recognized topos of ecstatic prophecy.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
נְאֻ֕םutterance ofN m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Subject continuing the oracular heading from v.3 (third parallel line)נְאֻם (H5002); third occurrence, extending the self-introduction with further descriptive epithets.
שֹׁמֵ֖עַone hearingQal ptc ms construct · שָׁמַע (H8085)Substantival participle, genitive after נְאֻם (defines the speaker)→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing capacity — the seer's habitual mode of receiving revelationשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; participle used substantivally, 'one who hears,' claiming auditory reception of divine speech.
אִמְרֵיthe words ofN m pl construct · אֵמֶר (H561)Direct object of שֹׁמֵעַאֵמֶר (H561) 'word, speech,' poetic synonym of דָּבָר; construct chain 'words of El.'
אֵ֑לEl / GodN m sg abs (divine name/title) · אֵל (H410)Genitive after construct אִמְרֵיאֵל (H410), the generic West Semitic term for 'God/god,' here of Israel's deity; poetic register favors אֵל/שַׁדַּי over יְהוָה in the oracle body.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a further descriptive relative clause (parallel to שֹׁמֵעַ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; loosely resumes/parallels the participial description rather than strictly subordinating.
מַחֲזֵ֤הthe vision ofN m sg construct · מַחֲזֶה (H4236)Direct object of יֶחֱזֶה (fronted for emphasis)מַחֲזֶה (H4236) 'vision', from חָזָה 'to see/envision'; a technical term for prophetic visionary experience.
שַׁדַּי֙Shaddai / the AlmightyNp (divine epithet) · שַׁדַּי (H7706)Genitive after construct מַחֲזֵהשַׁדַּי (H7706), archaic divine epithet ('Almighty' or perhaps 'of the mountain[s]'), prominent in patriarchal narratives (Gen 17:1) and Job; its appearance in a non-Israelite seer's mouth reflects the epithet's antiquity and wide currency.
יֶֽחֱזֶ֔הhe sees/beholdsQal impf 3ms · חָזָה (H2372)Predicate verb of the relative clause (parallel to שֹׁמֵעַ)→ Yiqtol: durative/characteristic — the seer's ongoing capacity to behold visionary revelationחָזָה (H2372) 'to see, envision' (root of חֹזֶה 'seer', מַחֲזֶה 'vision'); the technical verb of prophetic/ecstatic sight, distinct from ordinary רָאָה.
נֹפֵ֖לfallingQal ptc ms · נָפַל (H5307)Circumstantial participle describing the seer's posture during the vision→ Participle: depicted concurrent state — collapse into trance, not physical injuryנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; likely describes the ecstatic/trance posture of the seer prostrate before the divine vision (cf. Ezek 1:28; Dan 10:9).
וּגְל֥וּיand uncovered [of]conj וְ + Qal pass ptc construct · גָּלָה (H1540)Coordinate circumstantial participle, construct with עֵינָיִם (concessive: 'yet with eyes uncovered')→ Passive participle: settled contrasting state — his inner eyes remain unveiled even as his body collapsesגָּלָה (H1540) 'to uncover, reveal, go into exile'; passive participle 'uncovered' — the paradox central to this verse.
עֵינָֽיִםeyesN c.du abs · עַיִן (H5869)Genitive after construct וּגְלוּיעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual; 'uncovered of eyes' — the visionary paradox of falling yet perceiving, likely interpreting the שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן crux of v.3.
5
מַה טֹּ֥בוּ אֹהָלֶ֖יךָ יַעֲקֹ֑ב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling-places, O Israel!
The oracle's most celebrated line; ellipsis (gapping) of the verb in the second colon is standard Hebrew parallelism. Its liturgical afterlife is remarkable: Mah Tovu opens the traditional Jewish morning synagogue-entrance prayer, an irony given its origin on a hostile diviner's lips.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
מַהhowexclamatory particle · מָה (H4100)Exclamatory particle (predicate adjective intensifier — 'how goodly!')מָה (H4100) 'what, how'; here exclamatory, not interrogative — 'how (goodly)!', the famous encomium opening.
טֹּ֥בוּare good/goodlyQal perf 3cp (stative) · טוֹב (H2895)Predicate verb (exclamatory main clause)→ Perfective/stative: a settled, admired quality — 'how good they are!'טוֹב (H2895) stative verb 'to be good'; plural agreeing with אֹהָלֶיךָ — this line later became the synagogue entrance liturgy Mah Tovu.
אֹהָלֶ֖יךָyour tentsN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · אֹהֶל (H168)Subject of טֹּבוּאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the nomadic dwellings of Israel's tribal encampments, viewed approvingly from the height.
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobNp · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Vocative (address to the nation by its ancestor's name)יַעֲקֹב (H3290), Jacob/Israel; poetic parallelism pairs Jacob/Israel throughout the oracles.
מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יךָyour dwelling-placesN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Subject of elided verb (parallel to טֹּבוּ, gapping)מִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle'; same root as שֹׁכֵן (v.2) and the sanctuary's מִשְׁכָּן — the encampment mirrors the divine dwelling among them.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelNp · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative, parallel to יַעֲקֹביִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); paired with יַעֲקֹב in synonymous parallelism completing the bicolon.
6
כִּנְחָלִ֣ים נִטָּ֔יוּ כְּגַנֹּ֖ת עֲלֵ֣י נָהָ֑ר כַּאֲהָלִים֙ נָטַ֣ע יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲרָזִ֖ים עֲלֵי מָֽיִם
Like river-valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that YHWH has planted, like cedars beside the water.
Four similes (wadis, gardens, aloes, cedars) elaborate v.5's blessing on Jacob's tents with images of watered fertility and towering majesty; the exotic vocabulary (aloes, cedars) suggests deliberate poetic opulence.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כִּנְחָלִ֣יםlike streams/wadisprep כְּ + N m pl abs · נַחַל (H5158)Predicate comparison (simile, first of four)נַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, stream, valley'; first term in a fourfold simile of luxuriant abundance.
נִטָּ֔יוּthey stretch outNiphal perf 3cp · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (passive/reflexive, main clause of simile)→ Perfective (stative-resultative): a settled, spread-out extentנָטָה (H5186) Niphal 'to be stretched out, extended'; pictures the wadis running out in length across the landscape.
כְּגַנֹּ֖תlike gardensprep כְּ + N f pl abs · גַּן (H1593)Predicate comparison (simile, second)גַּן (H1593) 'garden'; irrigated, cultivated abundance — image of fertility.
עֲלֵ֣יbeside/byprep (construct form) · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying גַּנֹּתעַל (H5921) 'upon, by, beside'; construct form עֲלֵי before נָהָר.
נָהָ֑רa riverN m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Object of preposition עֲלֵינָהָר (H5104) 'river, stream'; likely evokes the great rivers of Balaam's Mesopotamian homeland, ironically now applied to Israel's flourishing.
כַּאֲהָלִים֙like aloesprep כְּ + N m pl abs · אֳהָלִים (H174)Predicate comparison (simile, third)אֳהָלִים (H174) 'aloes' (a fragrant resinous tree, Aquilaria); exotic, precious, sweet-scented — an image of prized abundance.
נָטַ֣עhe has plantedQal perf 3ms · נָטַע (H5193)Predicate verb (main clause, subject יְהוָה)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — YHWH's own plantingנָטַע (H5193) 'to plant'; YHWH as the divine gardener/planter, echoing Eden and the planting-motif of Israel as YHWH's own vineyard/planting (cf. Ps 80; Isa 5).
יְהוָ֔הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָטַעיְהוָה (H3068); explicit divine name in the oracle body, the ultimate source of the pictured abundance.
כַּאֲרָזִ֖יםlike cedarsprep כְּ + N m pl abs · אֶרֶז (H730)Predicate comparison (simile, fourth)אֶרֶז (H730) 'cedar' (of Lebanon); emblem of majesty, strength, and permanence.
עֲלֵיbeside/byprep (construct form) · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying אֲרָזִיםעַל (H5921); parallel construction to the earlier עֲלֵי נָהָר.
מָֽיִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Object of preposition עֲלֵימַיִם (H4325) 'water'; closes the fourfold simile on the theme of well-watered, thriving abundance.
7
יִֽזַּל מַ֨יִם֙ מִדָּ֣לְיָ֔ו וְזַרְע֖וֹ בְּמַ֣יִם רַבִּ֑ים וְיָרֹ֤ם מֵֽאֲגַג֙ מַלְכּ֔וֹ וְתִנַּשֵּׂ֖א מַלְכֻתֽוֹ
Water 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.
The agricultural abundance of vv.5-6 gives way to a promise of dynastic supremacy; the comparison to Agag (a recurring Amalekite royal title) foreshadows the Amalek oracle of v.20 and the wider Saul/Agag narrative (1 Sam 15).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
יִֽזַּלshall flowQal impf 3ms · נָזַל (H5140)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — an anticipated, ongoing flow of abundanceנָזַל (H5140) 'to flow, trickle, drip'; continues the water-abundance imagery of v.6 into concrete agricultural promise.
מַ֨יִם֙waterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of יִזַּלמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; subject of the flowing, continuing the well-watered motif.
מִדָּ֣לְיָ֔וfrom his bucketsprep מִן + N m du construct + 3ms suffix · דְּלִי (H1805)Source prepositional phraseדְּלִי (H1805) 'bucket, pail' (for drawing water); a rare word, evoking irrigation-agriculture abundance — 'his buckets' overflow.
וְזַרְע֖וֹand his seedconj וְ + N m sg construct + 3ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Subject of elided verb (parallel clause, gapping)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; double sense — agricultural seed AND progeny, both flourishing abundantly.
בְּמַ֣יִםin many watersprep בְּ + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325); 'many waters' a stock idiom for abundance and, secondarily, for great nations/peoples.
רַבִּ֑יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying מַיִםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; intensifies the water/abundance-of-offspring image.
וְיָרֹ֤םand shall be higherconj וְ + Qal jussive/impf 3ms · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate)→ Yiqtol/jussive: future or wished-for exaltation — a confident predictionרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, exalted'; the king's supremacy over Agag, poetically figuring Israel's future royal preeminence.
מֵֽאֲגַג֙than Agagprep מִן (comparative) + Np · אֲגַג (H90)Comparative prepositional phrase after יָרֹםאֲגַג (H90), a royal title/name of Amalekite kings (cf. 1 Sam 15:8, 'Agag king of Amalek'); here a byword for a formidable, proverbial foe.
מַלְכּ֔וֹhis kingN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of יָרֹםמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; a striking anticipation of Israel's monarchy centuries before Saul, taken by later tradition as messianically suggestive.
וְתִנַּשֵּׂ֖אand shall be exaltedconj וְ + Hitpael impf 3fs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Yiqtol (reflexive-Hitpael): future exaltation, the kingdom's own rising statusנָשָׂא (H5375) Hitpael 'to lift oneself up, be exalted'; parallel to וְיָרֹם, doubling the promise of royal ascendancy.
מַלְכֻתֽוֹhis kingdomN f sg construct + 3ms suffix · מַלְכוּת (H4438)Subject of וְתִנַּשֵּׂאמַלְכוּת (H4438) 'kingdom, kingship, royal dominion'; parallel and complementary to מַלְכּוֹ — both king and realm exalted.
8
אֵ֚ל מוֹצִיא֣וֹ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם כְּתוֹעֲפֹ֥ת רְאֵ֖ם ל֑וֹ יֹאכַ֞ל גּוֹיִ֣ם צָרָ֗יו וְעַצְמֹתֵיהֶ֛ם יְגָרֵ֖ם וְחִצָּ֥יו יִמְחָֽץ
El who brought him out of Egypt is for him like the horns of a wild ox; he shall devour hostile nations, and shall gnaw their bones, and shall pierce them through with his arrows.
This verse repeats 23:22 almost verbatim (the Exodus-and-wild-ox line), now expanded with graphic imagery of devouring, bone-breaking, and piercing that anticipates the crushing verb מָחַץ reused of the scepter in v.17.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אֵ֚לEl / GodN m sg abs (divine name) · אֵל (H410)Subject of nominal clauseאֵל (H410); repeats the second oracle's opening line (23:22) almost verbatim, reinforcing the divine warrior theme.
מוֹצִיא֣וֹwho brings him outHiphil ptc construct + 3ms suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival participle in apposition to אֵל, with 3ms suffix as object (Israel)→ Participle: characteristic, defining divine action — the Exodus as God's ongoing identity-markerיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, cause to go out'; the Exodus-formula, God's signature redemptive act, applied collectively to Israel ('him').
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + Np · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source prepositional phrase, object of מוֹצִיאוֹמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of bondage from which God brought Israel out — the theological anchor of Israel's identity.
כְּתוֹעֲפֹ֥תlike the horns ofprep כְּ + N f pl construct · תּוֹעָפוֹת (H8443)Predicate comparison (simile)תּוֹעָפוֹת (H8443), a rare word for 'horns' or 'strength/might'; denotes formidable, thrusting power.
רְאֵ֖םa wild oxN m sg abs · רְאֵם (H7214)Genitive after construct תּוֹעֲפֹתרְאֵם (H7214) 'wild ox/aurochs' (likely the now-extinct Bos primigenius); proverbial emblem of untamed strength (cf. Deut 33:17; Ps 92:11).
ל֑וֹfor him / he hasprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְDative of possession completing the nominal clause (predicate)לְ 'to, for'; idiom of possession — 'he has (as) the horns of a wild ox.'
יֹאכַ֞לhe shall devourQal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/characteristic — the ongoing, decisive consuming of foesאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; martial metaphor for total destruction of enemies.
גּוֹיִ֣םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of יֹאכַלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here hostile foreign nations consumed like prey.
צָרָ֗יוhis adversariesN m pl construct + 3ms suffix · צַר (H6862)Apposition to/qualifying גּוֹיִם (his enemy-nations)צַר (H6862) 'adversary, foe' (from צָרַר 'to bind, be hostile'); specifies which nations — those hostile to Israel.
וְעַצְמֹתֵיהֶ֛םand their bonesconj וְ + N f pl construct + 3mp suffix · עֶצֶם (H6106)Direct object of יְגָרֵםעֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone'; graphic image of total, skeletal destruction of the enemy.
יְגָרֵ֖םhe shall gnaw/breakPiel impf 3ms · גָּרַם (H1633)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/characteristic — intensive, thorough breaking (Piel)גָּרַם (H1633) Piel 'to break, gnaw (bones)'; a violent verb of crushing intensity.
וְחִצָּ֥יוand his arrowsconj וְ + N m pl construct + 3ms suffix · חֵץ (H2671)Subject of יִמְחָץחֵץ (H2671) 'arrow'; completes the warrior imagery — Israel's/God's arrows piercing the foe.
יִמְחָֽץshall pierce/shatterQal impf 3ms · מָחַץ (H4272)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/characteristic — decisive piercing forceמָחַץ (H4272) 'to smite, pierce, shatter'; the same verb recurs strikingly in v.17 of the crushing scepter — a thematic link between this oracle and the next.
9
כָּרַ֨ע שָׁכַ֧ב כַּאֲרִ֛י וּכְלָבִ֖יא מִ֣י יְקִימֶ֑נּוּ מְבָרֲכֶ֣יךָ בָר֔וּךְ וְאֹרְרֶ֖יךָ אָרֽוּר
He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness — who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you!
The couched-lion image (echoing Jacob's blessing on Judah, Gen 49:9) culminates in a direct citation of the Abrahamic covenant formula (Gen 12:3), turning Balak's own hoped-for curse-formula back upon him: the oracle he commissioned to curse Israel now blesses it in the precise terms of God's ancient promise to Abraham.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כָּרַ֨עhe crouchedQal perf 3ms · כָּרַע (H3766)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, settled posture — the lion's crouchכָּרַע (H3766) 'to bow down, crouch, kneel'; describes the lion's coiled, poised posture before/after the kill.
שָׁכַ֧בhe lay downQal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (coordinate, asyndetic)→ Perfective: a completed, settled state — repose after conquestשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; paired with כָּרַע in near-synonymous parallelism depicting the reposing lion.
כַּאֲרִ֛יlike a lionprep כְּ + N m sg abs · אֲרִי (H738)Predicate comparison (simile)אֲרִי (H738) 'lion'; classic royal/martial emblem, echoing Jacob's blessing on Judah (Gen 49:9).
וּכְלָבִ֖יאand like a lionessconj וְ + prep כְּ + N c.sg abs · לָבִיא (H3833)Coordinate predicate comparison (simile)לָבִיא (H3833) 'lioness' or 'young lion'; intensifies the image by pairing two big-cat terms.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pronoun · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subject of rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who'; rhetorical question implying 'no one' — none dare rouse the couched lion, i.e., none can safely provoke Israel.
יְקִימֶ֑נּוּshall rouse himHiphil impf 3ms + 3ms suffix · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: potential/future — 'who would dare rouse [him]?'קוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up, rouse'; the same root recurs in v.17's וְקָם 'shall rise' — a lexical bridge to the star-and-scepter oracle.
מְבָרֲכֶ֣יךָthose who bless youPiel ptc pl construct + 2ms suffix · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Subject of nominal/verbless clause (predicate בָרוּךְ)→ Participle: characteristic agent — whoever habitually blessesבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel participle 'blesser'; echoes the patriarchal promise of Gen 12:3 verbatim in theme.
בָר֔וּךְblessedQal pass ptc ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate adjective (passive participle) of verbless clause→ Passive participle: a pronounced, settled state — the blessing formally declaredבָּרַךְ (H1288) Qal passive participle 'blessed'; the classic blessing-formula, the climactic pronouncement of the third oracle.
וְאֹרְרֶ֖יךָand those who curse youconj וְ + Qal ptc pl construct + 2ms suffix · אָרַר (H779)Subject of parallel verbless clause (predicate אָרוּר)→ Participle: characteristic agent — whoever habitually cursesאָרַר (H779) 'to curse'; antithetical parallel completing the Gen 12:3 echo — 'those who curse you' set against 'those who bless you.'
אָרֽוּרcursedQal pass ptc ms · אָרַר (H779)Predicate adjective (passive participle) of verbless clause→ Passive participle: a pronounced, settled state — the curse formally declaredאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; closes the oracle citing the Abrahamic covenant formula (Gen 12:3) that framed Balak's entire commission (22:6) — now ratified in Israel's favor.
10
וַיִּֽחַר אַ֤ף בָּלָק֙ אֶל בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיִּסְפֹּ֖ק אֶת כַּפָּ֑יו וַיֹּ֨אמֶר בָּלָ֜ק אֶל בִּלְעָ֗ם לָקֹ֤ב אֹֽיְבַי֙ קְרָאתִ֔יךָ וְהִנֵּה֙ בֵּרַ֣כְתָּ בָרֵ֔ךְ זֶ֖ה שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִֽים
Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his palms together; and Balak said to Balaam, 'I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!'
The clapping of palms is a vivid gesture of exasperated dismissal; Balak's speech recalls his original commission (22:6,11) only to lament its total failure — the infinitive absolute construction underscores the completeness of Balaam's (God's) blessing against Balak's will.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיִּֽחַרand it burnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (idiom of anger)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the sudden eruption of rageחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; idiom חָרָה אַף 'anger burned' = became furiously angry.
אַ֤ףthe anger/nose ofN m sg construct · אַף (H639)Subject of וַיִּחַראַף (H639) 'nose, nostril, anger' (anger conceived as flaring nostrils); idiomatic subject of חָרָה.
בָּלָק֙BalakNp · בָּלָק (H1111)Genitive after construct אַף (Balak's anger)בָּלָק (H1111), the Moabite king who hired Balaam; his rage now finally breaks after three failed cursings.
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase indicating the object of angerאֶל (H413) 'to, against'; direction of Balak's kindled fury.
בִּלְעָ֔םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Object of preposition אֶלבִּלְעָם (H1109); target of Balak's anger.
וַיִּסְפֹּ֖קand he struck [together]waw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · סָפַק (H5606)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — an emphatic gesture of frustrationסָפַק (H5606) 'to clap, strike'; idiom of striking the palms together in exasperation/contempt (cf. Job 27:23).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking כַּפָּיו)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
כַּפָּ֑יוhis palmsN f du construct + 3ms suffix · כַּף (H3709)Direct object of וַיִּסְפֹּקכַּף (H3709) 'palm (of hand)'; dual form — both hands clapped together in a gesture of angry dismissal.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Balak's furious rebuke.
בָּלָ֜קBalakNp · בָּלָק (H1111)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרבָּלָק (H1111); repeated subject for emphasis after the intervening clause.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the addressee of speech.
בִּלְעָ֗םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Object of preposition אֶלבִּלְעָם (H1109); addressee of Balak's rebuke.
לָקֹ֤בto curseprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָבַב (H6895)Purpose infinitive (goal of קְרָאתִיךָ)→ Infinitival: stated purpose — the original commission Balak intendedקָבַב (H6895) 'to curse, denounce'; the very purpose for which Balak summoned Balaam (22:6,11), now bitterly recalled.
אֹֽיְבַי֙my enemiesQal ptc m pl construct + 1cs suffix (substantival) · אֹיֵב (H341)Direct object of לָקֹב→ Participle (substantival): a fixed, characteristic designation — 'my enemies'אֹיֵב (H341) 'enemy' (substantival participle of אָיַב); Balak's own designation for Israel.
קְרָאתִ֔יךָI called youQal perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive summons — the original hiring of Balaamקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; Balak's original act of engaging Balaam as diviner-for-hire.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the surprising outcomeהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks Balak's indignant surprise at the reversal.
בֵּרַ֣כְתָּyou have blessedPiel perf 2ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, repeated act — the accomplished, irreversible blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the outcome directly contrary to Balak's commission.
בָרֵ֔ךְindeed/persistentlyPiel inf abs · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb בֵּרַכְתָּ ('you have surely/persistently blessed')→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification — underscores the totality/repetition of the blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) infinitive absolute paired with the finite verb — a common Hebrew intensifying construction, here underlining Balak's exasperation.
זֶ֖הthesedemonstrative pronoun ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifying the temporal phrase שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִיםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; idiomatic זֶה שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים 'these three times' — cf. the same idiom of the donkey's beating in 22:28,32.
שָׁלֹ֥שׁthreenumeral f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying פְּעָמִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; recalling the threefold structure of Balaam's oracles (23:1-12; 23:13-26; 24:1-9).
פְּעָמִֽיםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Object of temporal expressionפַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occurrence'; same word as Balaam's own כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם in v.1 — Balak counts the very oracles Balaam had ceased seeking omens for.
11
וְעַתָּ֖ה בְּרַח לְךָ֣ אֶל מְקוֹמֶ֑ךָ אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ כַּבֵּ֣ד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֔ וְהִנֵּ֛ה מְנָעֲךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה מִכָּבֽוֹד
Now therefore, flee to your own place! I said I would surely honor you, but behold, YHWH has withheld you from honor.
Balak's angry dismissal ironically concedes the chapter's theology: he attributes Balaam's 'failure' not to incompetence but to YHWH's own restraint, unconsciously confirming that the blessings were never Balaam's to control.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְעַתָּ֖הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the command (transition to dismissal)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the pivot from complaint to command.
בְּרַחflee!Qal impv 2ms · בָּרַח (H1272)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: an urgent, peremptory command — immediate dismissalבָּרַח (H1272) 'to flee, run away'; a harsh verb of dismissal, as if Balaam were now a fugitive rather than an honored guest.
לְךָ֣for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְEthical dative reinforcing the imperative (idiomatic 'get yourself away')לְ 'to, for'; reflexive/ethical dative intensifying בְּרַח.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; direction of the commanded flight.
מְקוֹמֶ֑ךָyour placeN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of preposition אֶלמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; Balaam's homeland, Pethor on the Euphrates (22:5) — the same phrase recurs in the narrative's closing verse (25).
אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙I said/promisedQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed prior statement — recalling Balak's own earlier promise (22:17)אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; recalls Balak's earlier offer of great honor (22:17,37).
כַּבֵּ֣דsurely/greatlyPiel inf abs · כָּבֵד (H3513)Infinitive absolute intensifying אֲכַבֶּדְךָ ('I would surely honor you')→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification of the promised honorכָּבֵד (H3513) Piel 'to honor, make heavy/weighty'; infinitive absolute doubling the finite verb, ironic given the honor now denied.
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֔I would honor youPiel impf 1cs + 2ms suffix · כָּבֵד (H3513)Predicate verb (object clause after אָמַרְתִּי)→ Yiqtol (volitional/promissory): intended future honor, now cancelledכָּבֵד (H3513) Piel 'to honor'; the promised reward Balak now angrily withdraws.
וְהִנֵּ֛הbut beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the contrastive outcomeהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the ironic reversal — the promised honor did not materialize.
מְנָעֲךָ֥has withheld youQal perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · מָנַע (H4513)Predicate verb (main clause, subject יְהוָה)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — YHWH's own withholdingמָנַע (H4513) 'to withhold, restrain'; Balak (bitterly and unwittingly correctly) attributes the outcome to YHWH, not to Balaam's failure.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of מְנָעֲךָיְהוָה (H3068); Balak, though pagan, correctly names YHWH as the true agent behind Balaam's failed cursing — an unwitting theological admission.
מִכָּבֽוֹדfrom honorprep מִן + N c.sg abs · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Source/privative prepositional phrase, object of מְנָעֲךָכָּבוֹד (H3519) 'honor, glory, weightiness'; same root as כַּבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ above — Balak's promised honor is now, by his own admission, withheld by YHWH.
12
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל בָּלָ֑ק הֲלֹ֗א גַּ֧ם אֶל מַלְאָכֶ֛יךָ אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַ֥חְתָּ אֵלַ֖י דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי לֵאמֹֽר
And Balaam said to Balak, 'Did I not tell your messengers also, whom you sent to me, saying...'
Balaam answers Balak's accusation by appealing to his own consistent prior disclosure (cf. 22:18,38) — he never promised more than obedience to YHWH's word, a principle he now restates verbatim in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Balaam's defense.
בִּלְעָ֖םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרבִּלְעָם (H1109); the speaker of the retort.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to.'
בָּלָ֑קBalakNp · בָּלָק (H1111)Object of preposition אֶלבָּלָק (H1111); addressee of Balaam's reply.
הֲלֹ֗אdid notinterrogative particle + neg · הֲ + לֹא (H3808)Interrogative negative introducing a rhetorical question expecting 'yes'הֲלֹא (H3808 with interrogative הֲ) 'did I not'; rhetorical question form asserting a fact Balaam claims he already stated.
גַּ֧םeven/alsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus particle emphasizing מַלְאָכֶיךָגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes that Balaam told Balak's own messengers this from the start (cf. 22:18,38).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (recipient of prior speech)אֶל (H413) 'to.'
מַלְאָכֶ֛יךָyour messengersN m pl construct + 2ms suffix · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Object of preposition אֶלמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, envoy' (also 'angel'); Balak's diplomatic envoys of 22:15.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying מַלְאָכֶיךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
שָׁלַ֥חְתָּyou sentQal perf 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act — the original embassyשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; recalls Balak's repeated dispatching of envoys (22:5,15).
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Object of preposition (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; Balaam as recipient of the envoys.
דִּבַּ֥רְתִּיI spokePiel perf 1cs · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, answering the rhetorical question)→ Perfective: a completed, prior declarative act — Balaam's earlier stated principleדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Balaam insists he already declared his governing principle from the outset.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct quotation (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: quotative marker introducing reported speech (v.13)אָמַר (H559) inf constr לֵאמֹר, standard formula introducing direct discourse, here Balaam's oft-repeated principle quoted in v.13.
13
אִם יִתֶּן לִ֨י בָלָ֜ק מְלֹ֣א בֵיתוֹ֮ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָב֒ לֹ֣א אוּכַ֗ל לַעֲבֹר֙ אֶת פִּ֣י יְהוָ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת טוֹבָ֛ה א֥וֹ רָעָ֖ה מִלִּבִּ֑י אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֹת֥וֹ אֲדַבֵּֽר
If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of YHWH, to do good or bad of my own will; what YHWH speaks, that I will speak.
A verbatim repetition of Balaam's programmatic statement in 22:18 — establishing, for the third time in the cycle, that his oracles are wholly dictated by YHWH and immune to bribery, refuting Balak's charge of infidelity.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
אִםifconj (conditional) · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces a hypothetical condition, repeated verbatim from 22:18.
יִתֶּןhe would giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the protasis (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol (conditional/hypothetical): an imagined, unrealized offerנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; hypothetical grant of wealth.
לִ֨יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְIndirect object of יִתֶּןלְ 'to'; Balaam as hypothetical recipient.
בָלָ֜קBalakNp · בָּלָק (H1111)Subject of יִתֶּןבָּלָק (H1111); the hypothetical giver.
מְלֹ֣אthe fullness ofN m sg construct · מְלֹא (H4393)Direct object of יִתֶּן (construct chain)מְלֹא (H4393) 'fullness, that which fills'; מְלֹא בֵיתוֹ 'his house full [of]' — hyperbolic image of vast wealth.
בֵיתוֹ֮his houseN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive after construct מְלֹאבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; Balak's household/palace, filled hypothetically to overflowing.
כֶּ֣סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Apposition specifying the contents of מְלֹא בֵיתוֹכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; paired with gold as the epitome of material wealth.
וְזָהָב֒and goldconj וְ + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Coordinate apposition specifying contentזָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; completing the silver-and-gold formula of maximal wealth.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the apodosis verb אוּכַללֹא (H3808) simple negative.
אוּכַ֗לI would be ableQal impf 1cs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main clause)→ Yiqtol (modal/potential): an asserted incapacity, categorical regardless of incentiveיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; Balaam's categorical, principled refusal — no bribe could override YHWH's word.
לַעֲבֹר֙to transgress/go beyondprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַר (H5674)Complementary infinitive completing אוּכַל→ Infinitival: the categorically refused actionעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass beyond, transgress'; idiom עָבַר אֶת פִּי 'to go beyond the mouth/command of.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking פִּי יְהוָה)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
פִּ֣יthe mouth/word ofN m sg construct · פֶּה (H6310)Direct object of לַעֲבֹרפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; construct פִּי יְהוָה 'the mouth/command of YHWH' = his spoken word, absolutely binding.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive after construct פִּייְהוָה (H3068); the sole binding authority over Balaam's speech.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Epexegetical infinitive further specifying לַעֲבֹר→ Infinitival: specifies the forbidden discretionary actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; specifying the kind of transgression — independent moral/verbal action.
טוֹבָ֛הgoodadj f sg abs (substantival) · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; substantival, 'a good thing'; paired antithetically with רָעָה.
א֥וֹorconj (disjunctive) · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or.'
רָעָ֖הbad/eviladj f sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Coordinate direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil'; antithetical pair with טוֹבָה, i.e., ANY independent action, favorable or not.
מִלִּבִּ֑יfrom my own mindprep מִן + N m sg construct + 1cs suffix · לֵב (H3820)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source, modifying לַעֲשׂוֹתלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind'; מִלִּבִּי 'of my own initiative' — Balaam disclaims any personal agency in the oracles.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the final relative clause (content clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יְדַבֵּ֥רspeaksPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: characteristic/habitual — whatever YHWH continually speaksדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; subject YHWH — the sole source of Balaam's oracular content.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHNp · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068); the exclusive source of true speech through Balaam.
אֹת֥וֹ[obj] itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resumptive, marking the relative clause's content, fronted)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming אֲשֶׁר as direct object of אֲדַבֵּר — 'that [very thing] I will speak.'
אֲדַבֵּֽרI will speakPiel impf 1cs · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of the relative construction)→ Yiqtol: committed future — Balaam's absolute resolve to speak only YHWH's wordדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Balaam's closing self-description as a pure conduit of divine speech, repeated verbatim from 22:18,38 and 23:12,26.
14
וְעַתָּ֕ה הִנְנִ֥י הוֹלֵ֖ךְ לְעַמִּ֑י לְכָה֙ אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֜ה הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּ֛ה לְעַמְּךָ֖ בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים
And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.
The phrase 'in the latter days' explicitly signals a long-range, programmatic prophecy, distinguishing the fourth oracle (vv.15-19) from the immediate blessing of the third; Balaam's offer to 'advise' also ironically anticipates 31:16, where his counsel is later blamed for Israel's seduction into Baal-Peor.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְעַתָּ֕הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker transitioning to Balaam's departure and final offerעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks a new discourse turn.
הִנְנִ֥יbehold, Ipresentative particle + 1cs suffix · הִנֵּה (H2005)Presentative particle with pronominal subject, introducing participial clauseהִנֵּה (H2005 הֵן variant) 'behold'; הִנְנִי 'here I am, behold me' introduces the imminent departure.
הוֹלֵ֖ךְgoingQal ptc ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Participial predicate with הִנְנִי (immediate future/present progressive)→ Participle: imminent, ongoing action — Balaam's about-to-depart stateהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; participle expressing imminent departure, echoing v.25's actual departure.
לְעַמִּ֑יto my peopleprep לְ + N m sg construct + 1cs suffix · עַם (H5971)Directional prepositional phraseעַם (H5971) 'people'; Balaam's own kinsfolk, presumably in Aram/Pethor.
לְכָה֙come!Qal impv 2ms (paragogic ־ה) · הָלַךְ (H3212, i.e. יָלַךְ)Predicate verb (imperative, discourse-initiating summons)→ Volitional: an inviting summons — 'come, let me tell you'הָלַךְ (H3212 = יָלַךְ) imperative with cohortative he, idiomatic 'come now'; introduces Balaam's final, unsolicited counsel.
אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔I will advise youQal impf 1cs + 2ms suffix (cohortative sense) · יָעַץ (H3289)Predicate verb (cohortative/volitional main clause)→ Yiqtol (cohortative): a volunteered, deliberate counsel — ominous given the following Baal-Peor episode (ch.25)יָעַץ (H3289) 'to counsel, advise'; this verse is later read (Num 31:16) as the seed of Balaam's infamous counsel leading Israel into the Baal-Peor apostasy.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the object clause of אִיעָצְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יַעֲשֶׂ֜הwill doQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative/content clause→ Yiqtol: future — a coming action of this peopleעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; future action of Israel against Moab, ominously foreshadowing the following oracle's content (vv.17-19).
הָעָ֥םthis peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of יַעֲשֶׂהעַם (H5971) 'people'; refers to Israel.
הַזֶּ֛הthisart + demonstrative ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָעָםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifying Israel as the subject.
לְעַמְּךָ֖to your peopleprep לְ + N m sg construct + 2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Indirect object of יַעֲשֶׂה (Moab, Balak's people)עַם (H5971) 'people'; Balak's own nation, Moab, the target of the coming action.
בְּאַחֲרִ֥יתin the latter part ofprep בְּ + N f sg construct · אַחֲרִית (H319)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying יַעֲשֶׂהאַחֲרִית (H319) 'end, latter part, future'; בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים 'in the latter/end of days' — a phrase with rich eschatological resonance elsewhere (Isa 2:2; Dan 10:14).
הַיָּמִֽיםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive after construct אַחֲרִיתיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing the idiom 'end of days' — signals a long-range, not immediate, oracle to follow.
15
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר נְאֻ֤ם בִּלְעָם֙ בְּנ֣וֹ בְעֹ֔ר וּנְאֻ֥ם הַגֶּ֖בֶר שְׁתֻ֥ם הָעָֽיִן
And he took up his oracle and said: The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is opened.
Identical wording to v.3 marks this as a formally parallel, equally authoritative oracle — the repetition itself signals continuity and escalation rather than redundancy, building toward the star-and-scepter prophecy.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand he took upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing the fourth oracle)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375); idiom נָשָׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, repeating the third oracle's heading (v.3) to introduce Balaam's fourth and final oracle.
מְשָׁל֖וֹhis oracleN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁל (H4912)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאמָשָׁל (H4912) 'proverb, oracle, poetic discourse'; opens the fourth and climactic oracle.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say.'
נְאֻ֤םutterance ofN m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Subject/predicate of nominal clause (formal oracular heading)נְאֻם (H5002) 'utterance, oracular declaration'; the divine-speech formula, again claimed here for the fourth oracle.
בִּלְעָם֙BalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Genitive after construct נְאֻםבִּלְעָם (H1109); see note at 24:1.
בְּנ֣וֹhis sonN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to בִּלְעָם, in construct with בְעֹרבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'son of,' introducing the patronymic.
בְעֹ֔רBeorNp · בְּעוֹר (H1160)Genitive after construct בְּנוֹ (patronymic)בְּעוֹר (H1160), Balaam's father; see note at v.3.
וּנְאֻ֥םand the utterance ofconj וְ + N m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Coordinate subject/predicate, parallel to the first נְאֻם line (synonymous parallelism)נְאֻם (H5002) repeated in synonymous parallelism, as in v.3.
הַגֶּ֖בֶרthe manart + N m sg abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Genitive after construct נְאֻם (second line)גֶּבֶר (H1397) 'strong man, warrior'; see note at v.3.
שְׁתֻ֥םopened/closed [of]Qal pass ptc construct · שָׁתַם (H8365)Passive-participle predicate in construct with הָעָיִן (attributive to הַגֶּבֶר)→ Passive participle: a settled, defining conditionשָׁתַם (H8365); see the crux discussion at v.3 — the identical heading repeats here to open the fourth oracle.
הָעָֽיִןthe eyeart + N c.sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object of construct שְׁתֻם (genitive of specification)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; completes the repeated heading formula opening this second, climactic oracle.
16
נְאֻ֗ם שֹׁמֵ֨עַ֙ אִמְרֵי אֵ֔ל וְיֹדֵ֖עַ דַּ֣עַת עֶלְי֑וֹן מַחֲזֵ֤ה שַׁדַּי֙ יֶֽחֱזֶ֔ה נֹפֵ֖ל וּגְל֥וּי עֵינָֽיִם
the utterance of him who hears the words of El, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who beholds the vision of Shaddai, falling, yet with eyes uncovered.
This heading expands v.4's formula with the added line 'and knows the knowledge of the Most High' (absent in the third oracle), heightening Balaam's claimed prophetic authority immediately before the star-and-scepter prophecy — the chapter's climactic and most influential oracle.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
נְאֻ֗םutterance ofN m sg construct · נְאֻם (H5002)Subject continuing the oracular heading from v.15נְאֻם (H5002); resumes the heading formula, now amplified with additional epithets.
שֹׁמֵ֨עַ֙one hearingQal ptc ms construct · שָׁמַע (H8085)Substantival participle, genitive after נְאֻם→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing capacity — the seer's habitual mode of receiving revelationשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; as in v.4, claiming auditory reception of divine speech.
אִמְרֵיthe words ofN m pl construct · אֵמֶר (H561)Direct object of שֹׁמֵעַאֵמֶר (H561) 'word, speech,' poetic synonym of דָּבָר.
אֵ֔לEl / GodN m sg abs (divine name/title) · אֵל (H410)Genitive after construct אִמְרֵיאֵל (H410); as in v.4, the generic 'God' term applied to Israel's deity.
וְיֹדֵ֖עַand knowingconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · יָדַע (H3045)Coordinate substantival participle, genitive after נְאֻם (parallel to שֹׁמֵעַ)→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing capacity — the seer's habitual intimate knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know' (intimately, experientially); this added epithet — absent from the third oracle's heading (v.4) — escalates Balaam's claimed authority for the climactic fourth oracle.
דַּ֣עַתthe knowledge ofN f sg construct · דַּעַת (H1847)Direct object of וְיֹדֵעַדַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge'; construct with עֶלְיוֹן, 'knowledge of the Most High' — a fuller epistemic claim than the third oracle's heading.
עֶלְי֑וֹןthe Most Highadj m sg abs (substantival, divine epithet) · עֶלְיוֹן (H5945)Genitive after construct דַּעַתעֶלְיוֹן (H5945) 'Most High'; an ancient divine epithet (cf. Gen 14:18-20, Melchizedek's אֵל עֶלְיוֹן), here paired with אֵל and שַׁדַּי to form a trio of archaic divine names framing this climactic oracle.
מַחֲזֵ֤הthe vision ofN m sg construct · מַחֲזֶה (H4236)Direct object of יֶחֱזֶה (fronted for emphasis)מַחֲזֶה (H4236) 'vision'; as in v.4, a technical term for prophetic visionary experience.
שַׁדַּי֙Shaddai / the AlmightyNp (divine epithet) · שַׁדַּי (H7706)Genitive after construct מַחֲזֵהשַׁדַּי (H7706), archaic divine epithet; see note at v.4.
יֶֽחֱזֶ֔הhe sees/beholdsQal impf 3ms · חָזָה (H2372)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: durative/characteristic — the seer's ongoing capacity to behold visionary revelationחָזָה (H2372) 'to see, envision'; see note at v.4.
נֹפֵ֖לfallingQal ptc ms · נָפַל (H5307)Circumstantial participle describing the seer's posture during the vision→ Participle: depicted concurrent state — collapse into trance, not physical injuryנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; see note at v.4.
וּגְל֥וּיand uncovered [of]conj וְ + Qal pass ptc construct · גָּלָה (H1540)Coordinate circumstantial participle, construct with עֵינָיִם (concessive)→ Passive participle: settled contrasting stateגָּלָה (H1540) 'to uncover, reveal'; see note at v.4.
עֵינָֽיִםeyesN c.du abs · עַיִן (H5869)Genitive after construct וּגְלוּיעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual; completes the repeated formula, now amplified with the added 'knowledge of the Most High' epithet.
17
אֶרְאֶ֨נּוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א עַתָּ֔ה אֲשׁוּרֶ֖נּוּ וְלֹ֣א קָר֑וֹב דָּרַ֨ךְ כּוֹכָ֜ב מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֗ב וְקָ֥ם שֵׁ֨בֶט֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמָחַץ֙ פַּאֲתֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב וְקַרְקַ֖ר כָּל בְּנֵי שֵֽׁת
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the borders of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth.
The most influential verse in the cycle: 'a star shall march out of Jacob' became the paradigmatic messianic proof-text in Second Temple Judaism (Qumran's Damascus Document and 4Q175 Testimonia), underlies Rabbi Akiva's naming of Simon as 'Bar Kokhba' ('son of the star') during the 132-135 CE revolt, and stands behind the Christian association of a star with the Messiah's birth (Matt 2:2). The identity of 'the sons of Sheth' remains genuinely obscure.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
אֶרְאֶ֨נּוּ֙I see himQal impf 1cs + 3ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: visionary present/future — a prophetic seeing not bound to ordinary timeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the visionary 'I see him' launches the oracle's most celebrated prophecy, deliberately distanced ('not now, not near') from immediate fulfillment.
וְלֹ֣אbut notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following adverb עַתָּהלֹא (H3808) simple negative, qualifying the temporal adverb.
עַתָּ֔הnowadverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverb, negated (contrastive with the visionary אֶרְאֶנּוּ)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; the vision explicitly postpones fulfillment beyond the present.
אֲשׁוּרֶ֖נּוּI behold himQal impf 1cs + 3ms suffix · שׁוּר (H7789)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause, synonymous parallel to אֶרְאֶנּוּ)→ Yiqtol: visionary present/future, parallel intensificationשׁוּר (H7789) 'to behold, gaze at'; poetic synonym of רָאָה, doubling the visionary claim in synonymous parallelism.
וְלֹ֣אbut notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following adjective קָרוֹבלֹא (H3808); parallel negation.
קָר֑וֹבnearadj m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjective, negated (contrastive with the distant vision)קָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; paired with עַתָּה — the vision is deliberately eschatological/distant, not immediate.
דָּרַ֨ךְshall march/tread forthQal perf 3ms (prophetic perfect) · דָּרַךְ (H1869)Predicate verb (main clause — prophetic/proleptic perfect)→ Perfective (prophetic perfect): a future certainty depicted as already accomplishedדָּרַךְ (H1869) 'to tread, march, bend (a bow)'; the perfect tense here is 'prophetic,' viewing the future event as certain — 'a star will/has marched forth.'
כּוֹכָ֜בa starN m sg abs · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Subject of דָּרַךְכּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; ancient royal/messianic symbolism (cf. Isa 14:12); this line became the classic messianic proof-text — invoked at Qumran (4Q175; CD 7), by Rabbi Akiva regarding Simon bar Kokhba ('son of the star'), and traditionally linked in Christian reception to the Magi's star (Matt 2).
מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֗בout of Jacobprep מִן + Np · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Source prepositional phrase modifying דָּרַךְיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the star's point of origin, poetic for the nation of Israel.
וְקָ֥םand shall ariseconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause, continuing the prophetic perfect sequence)→ Weqatal: continuing the prophetic-perfect certainty — the scepter's rising as assured as the star'sקוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; echoes v.9's מִי יְקִימֶנּוּ ('who shall rouse him?') — here the answer arrives: a scepter itself rises.
שֵׁ֨בֶט֙a scepterN m sg abs · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Subject of וְקָםשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'rod, scepter, tribe'; parallel to כּוֹכָב — royal/dynastic imagery, echoing Jacob's blessing on Judah's שֵׁבֶט (Gen 49:10).
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔לout of Israelprep מִן + Np · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Source prepositional phrase modifying וְקָם, parallel to מִיַּעֲקֹביִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); parallel to יַעֲקֹב, completing the synonymous bicolon.
וּמָחַץ֙and shall crush/pierceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מָחַץ (H4272)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing prophetic-perfect certainty — decisive future crushingמָחַץ (H4272) 'to smite, crush, pierce'; the same verb used of the arrows in v.8 — now the scepter itself deals the crushing blow.
פַּאֲתֵ֣יthe corners/borders ofN f du construct · פֵּאָה (H6285)Direct object of וּמָחַץפֵּאָה (H6285) 'side, corner, border, temple (of the head)'; here likely 'borders/territory' or, more vividly, 'brow/temples' of Moab — the crushing blow to Moab's very frontier or head.
מוֹאָ֔בMoabNp · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive after construct פַּאֲתֵימוֹאָב (H4124); Balak's own nation, the direct object of the coming devastation — a bitter irony given Balak commissioned this very oracle.
וְקַרְקַ֖רand shall tear downconj וְ + Polel perf 3ms · קַרְקַר (H6979)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Perfective (prophetic): decisive, thorough demolitionקַרְקַר (H6979), a rare, reduplicated root 'to tear down, demolish, lay waste' (perhaps from קִיר 'wall'); intensified form suggesting total destruction.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifier of בְּנֵי שֵׁת (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing 'all the sons of Sheth.'
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive after construct כָּל, in construct with שֵׁתבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי שֵׁת 'sons of Sheth/Seth' — an obscure designation, perhaps a poetic epithet for 'all humanity' (via Seth, Gen 4:25) or a specific tribal/regional group; the ambiguity is ancient.
שֵֽׁתShethNp · שֵׁת (H8351)Genitive after construct בְּנֵישֵׁת (H8351), possibly Seth (Adam's son, Gen 4:25, a symbol for 'mankind') or, per some Moabite/Egyptian parallels, a specific ethnonym; the referent remains genuinely uncertain — a crux to be treated honestly.
18
וְהָיָ֨ה אֱד֜וֹם יְרֵשָׁ֗ה וְהָיָ֧ה יְרֵשָׁ֛ה שֵׂעִ֖יר אֹיְבָ֑יו וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹ֥שֶׂה חָֽיִל
And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir, his enemies, shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
The scepter's dominion (v.17) is now specified: not only Moab but Israel's other frequent rival Edom/Seir falls under conquest, framed by the idiom 'doing valor' that recurs in later Israelite historiography (e.g., David's conquests, 2 Sam 8).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְהָיָ֨הand shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing prophetic-perfect sequence)→ Weqatal: continuing future certaintyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; continues the sequence of assured future outcomes.
אֱד֜וֹםEdomNp · אֱדוֹם (H123)Subject of וְהָיָהאֱדוֹם (H123), Esau's descendants, Israel's kin-nation and frequent rival; now named as a further conquest of the rising scepter.
יְרֵשָׁ֗הa possessionN f sg abs · יְרֵשָׁה (H3424)Predicate nominative of וְהָיָהיְרֵשָׁה (H3424) 'possession, inheritance' (from יָרַשׁ 'to possess, dispossess'); Edom reduced to conquered territory.
וְהָיָ֧הand shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause, parallel restatement)→ Weqatal: continuing future certaintyהָיָה (H1961); repeated for emphatic parallel structure.
יְרֵשָׁ֛הa possessionN f sg abs · יְרֵשָׁה (H3424)Predicate nominative (repeated)יְרֵשָׁה (H3424); repeated, reinforcing Seir's coming subjugation.
שֵׂעִ֖ירSeirNp · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Subject of the second וְהָיָה clause (in apposition to/synonym for Edom)שֵׂעִיר (H8165), the mountainous homeland of Edom; used here in synonymous parallelism with אֱדוֹם.
אֹיְבָ֑יוhis enemiesQal ptc m pl construct + 3ms suffix (substantival) · אֹיֵב (H341)Apposition to שֵׂעִיר, specifying whose enemies (Israel's)→ Participle (substantival): a fixed, characteristic designationאֹיֵב (H341) 'enemy'; identifies Seir/Edom explicitly as Israel's foe, now destined for subjugation.
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לwhile Israelconj וְ + Np · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of the concluding circumstantial clauseיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); contrasted with the conquered Edom/Seir.
עֹ֥שֶׂהdoes/performsQal ptc ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Participial predicate (circumstantial clause describing Israel's concurrent action)→ Participle: characteristic, ongoing action — Israel's continual display of mightעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; idiom עָשָׂה חַיִל 'to do valiantly, act with might' (cf. Ruth 4:11; Ps 60:14).
חָֽיִלvalor/mightN m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Object completing the idiom עֹשֶׂה חַיִלחַיִל (H2428) 'strength, valor, army, wealth'; completes the idiom 'to act valiantly/with strength' — Israel's triumphant military action.
19
וְיֵ֖רְדְּ מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֑ב וְהֶֽאֱבִ֥יד שָׂרִ֖יד מֵעִֽיר
And one shall have dominion out of Jacob, and shall destroy the survivor from the city.
The oracle closes with total conquest — even survivors in a city are not spared; the unnamed 'city' (perhaps Ar of Moab) leaves the geography of the prophecy pointedly unspecified, in keeping with the oracle's deliberately far-horizon, non-immediate framing (v.17a).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְיֵ֖רְדְּand shall have dominionconj וְ + Qal jussive/impf 3ms · רָדָה (H7287)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the prophetic sequence)→ Yiqtol/jussive: future dominion, confidently assertedרָדָה (H7287) 'to rule, have dominion, tread down'; the ruling one implied is the scepter/star-figure of v.17, now exercising rule.
מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֑בout of Jacobprep מִן + Np · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Source prepositional phrase (agent's origin), modifying וְיֵרְדְּיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the ruler's point of origin, echoing v.17's מִיַּעֲקֹב.
וְהֶֽאֱבִ֥ידand shall destroyconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing future certainty — decisive causative destructionאָבַד (H6) Hiphil 'to cause to perish, destroy'; the ruler's dominion culminates in the annihilation of survivors.
שָׂרִ֖ידsurvivor/remnantN m sg abs · שָׂרִיד (H8300)Direct object of וְהֶאֱבִידשָׂרִיד (H8300) 'survivor, remnant'; even those who escape the initial conquest are not spared.
מֵעִֽירfrom the cityprep מִן + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Source/locative prepositional phrase modifying שָׂרִידעִיר (H5892) 'city'; likely a specific but unnamed Moabite/Edomite city (possibly Ar of Moab, cf. 21:28), or generically 'from any city' — left tantalizingly vague.
20
וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת עֲמָלֵ֔ק וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙ עֲמָלֵ֔ק וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹ עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד
And he looked on Amalek, and took up his oracle and said: Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is utter destruction.
A terse two-line oracle turning on the wordplay between 'first' and 'end' — Amalek's ancient preeminence collapses into total ruin, a fate later narrated in Saul's campaign (1 Sam 15) and Haman the Agagite's downfall (Esther).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּרְא֙and he lookedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing new oracle scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; introduces a new visual cue triggering each of the closing mini-oracles (cf. v.21).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֲמָלֵק)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
עֲמָלֵ֔קAmalekNp · עֲמָלֵק (H6002)Direct object of וַיַּרְאעֲמָלֵק (H6002), the nomadic nation descended from Esau's line (Gen 36:12), Israel's archetypal implacable enemy (Exod 17:8-16; Deut 25:17-19), later associated with Agag/Haman.
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand he took upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375); idiom נָשָׂא מְשָׁלוֹ, introducing this brief doom-oracle.
מְשָׁל֖וֹhis oracleN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁל (H4912)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאמָשָׁל (H4912) 'oracle, discourse'; the first of three brief, staccato closing oracles (vv.20,21-22,23-24).
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; speech-introducing formula.
רֵאשִׁ֤יתthe first ofN f sg construct · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Predicate nominative of verbless clauseרֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, chief'; Amalek's ancient priority/preeminence among the nations of the region — a title of past distinction now contrasted with future ruin.
גּוֹיִם֙nationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive after construct רֵאשִׁיתגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; Amalek reckoned foremost among the peoples in antiquity/status.
עֲמָלֵ֔קAmalekNp · עֲמָלֵק (H6002)Subject of the verbless clauseעֲמָלֵק (H6002); subject of the oracle's opening line.
וְאַחֲרִית֖וֹbut his endconj וְ + N f sg construct + 3ms suffix · אַחֲרִית (H319)Subject of the second, contrastive verbless clauseאַחֲרִית (H319) 'end, latter part, future'; contrasts sharply with רֵאשִׁית — from first to last, a total reversal of fortune.
עֲדֵ֥יunto/foreverprep (poetic form) · עֲדֵי (H5703)Prepositional phrase modifying the predicate אֹבֵדעַד (H5703) 'unto, as far as'; poetic form עֲדֵי, here idiomatic 'utterly, to the point of.'
אֹבֵֽדdestruction/perishingQal ptc ms (substantival) · אָבַד (H8)Predicate of the second verbless clauseאָבַד (H8, root אבד) 'to perish'; substantival participle 'perishing/destruction' — Amalek's ultimate fate, historically fulfilled in Saul's campaign (1 Sam 15) and Haman the Agagite's downfall (Esther).
21
וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת הַקֵּינִ֔י וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֵיתָן֙ מֽוֹשָׁבֶ֔ךָ וְשִׂ֥ים בַּסֶּ֖לַע קִנֶּֽךָ
And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his oracle and said: Enduring is your dwelling-place, and your nest is set in the rock.
A pun threads the verse: 'nest' (qen) echoes 'Kenite' (Qeni) and anticipates 'Kain' in v.22 — the Kenites' rock-set security is described admiringly, only to be undercut by the doom pronounced in the next verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּרְא֙and he lookedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); introduces the second closing mini-oracle.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַקֵּינִי)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
הַקֵּינִ֔יthe Keniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · קֵינִי (H7017)Direct object of וַיַּרְאקֵינִי (H7017) 'Kenite,' a clan associated with Moses' father-in-law (Judg 1:16) and, by wordplay, with קַיִן 'Cain' (v.22); a nomadic metalworking people dwelling in rocky, secure terrain.
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand he took upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375); idiom נָשָׂא מְשָׁלוֹ.
מְשָׁל֖וֹhis oracleN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁל (H4912)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאמָשָׁל (H4912); second of the three closing oracles.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say.'
אֵיתָן֙enduring/firmadj m sg abs · אֵיתָן (H386)Predicate adjective of verbless clauseאֵיתָן (H386) 'enduring, permanent, ever-flowing'; describes the Kenites' seemingly secure, unshakeable dwelling.
מֽוֹשָׁבֶ֔ךָyour dwelling-placeN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Subject of verbless clauseמוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling, seat, habitation'; the Kenites' secure abode, addressed directly in second person.
וְשִׂ֥יםand set/placedconj וְ + Qal passive ptc ms · שִׂים/שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate passive participle (parallel to אֵיתָן, describing the nest's location)→ Passive participle: a settled, secure state — the nest fixed immovablyשׂוּם (H7760) Qal passive participle 'placed, set'; describes the nest's fixed location in the rock — an image of apparent, though ultimately vulnerable, security.
בַּסֶּ֖לַעin the rockprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֶלַע (H5553)Locative prepositional phrase modifying שִׂיםסֶלַע (H5553) 'rock, cliff'; the Kenites' naturally fortified, cliff-dwelling habitat.
קִנֶּֽךָyour nestN m sg construct + 2ms suffix · קֵן (H7064)Subject of the passive participle שִׂיםקֵן (H7064) 'nest'; a deliberate paronomasia on קֵינִי/קַיִן (Kenite/Cain) — the 'nest' puns on the clan's very name, a wordplay v.22 exploits further.
22
כִּ֥י אִם יִהְיֶ֖ה לְבָ֣עֵֽר קָ֑יִן עַד מָ֖ה אַשּׁ֥וּר תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ
Nevertheless Kain shall be consumed, until Asshur carries you away captive.
Among the most obscure verses in the Balaam cycle: the referent of 'Asshur' (Assyria proper, or a more local group of the same name) and the precise sense of the idiom rendered 'how long' are debated; most likely it anticipates a later Assyrian-era subjugation of these Transjordanian/Sinai clans, though the verse resists confident historical anchoring.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כִּ֥יyet/neverthelessconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/asseverative conjunction introducing the contrastive doom clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, that, though'; combined with אִם in an adversative sense, 'nevertheless, yet.'
אִם[intensifying]conj · אִם (H518)Combines with כִּי as an idiomatic adversative particle (כִּי אִם 'but rather, nevertheless')אִם (H518); with preceding כִּי forms the idiom כִּי אִם, here adversative — 'but, nevertheless.'
יִהְיֶ֖הshall be/come toQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future certainty — the coming doom despite the Kenite's apparent securityהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; introduces the coming, inescapable fate.
לְבָ֣עֵֽרfor burning/consumingprep לְ + Piel inf constr · בָּעַר (H1197)Complementary infinitive completing יִהְיֶה (idiom 'shall be for burning' = 'shall be consumed')→ Infinitival: the fated purpose/outcome — total consumptionבָּעַר (H1197) Piel 'to burn, consume, remove utterly'; idiom הָיָה לְבָעֵר 'to be given over to burning/destruction.'
קָ֑יִןKain / the KeniteNp · קַיִן (H7014)Subject of יִהְיֶהקַיִן (H7014); here evidently standing for the Kenite clan (קֵינִי), exploiting the pun already set up by קִנֶּךָ in v.21 — whether an intentional echo of the biblical Cain (Gen 4) or simply the clan-name, the wordplay is deliberate.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the agent/time of doomעַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; introduces the eventual conqueror.
מָ֖הhow longinterrogative particle (idiomatic) · מָה (H4100)Combines with עַד as idiom עַד מָה 'how long'מָה (H4100) 'what'; idiom עַד־מָה here functions adverbially, 'how long' (until), heightening the sense of impending, uncertain-timed doom — one of the chapter's genuinely obscure phrases.
אַשּׁ֥וּרAsshur/AssyriaNp · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Subject of תִּשְׁבֶּךָּאַשּׁוּר (H804), Assyria; its appearance here, centuries before Assyria's rise to imperial power, is one of the chapter's notorious historical-critical puzzles — possibly a later updating/gloss, or a reference to a different, more local group bearing the name.
תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּshall carry you captiveQal impf 3fs + 2ms suffix · שָׁבָה (H7617)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future certainty — the coming captivityשָׁבָה (H7617) 'to take captive'; 3fs form (agreeing with a feminine collective/subject) describing exile at Assyrian hands — one of the most textually and historically debated verses in the oracle cycle.
23
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר א֕וֹי מִ֥י יִחְיֶ֖ה מִשֻּׂמ֥וֹ אֵֽל
And he took up his oracle and said: Alas, who shall live when God does this!
An abrupt cry of dread opens the chapter's most syntactically difficult verse; the referent of the impending divine action is left ominously unspecified, setting an apocalyptic tone for the ships-of-Kittim oracle that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand he took upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375); introduces the third and final closing oracle.
מְשָׁל֖וֹhis oracleN m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁל (H4912)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאמָשָׁל (H4912); the final, most cryptic of the closing oracles.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say.'
א֕וֹיalas! woe!interjection · אוֹי (H188)Exclamatory interjection opening the oracleאוֹי (H188) 'woe, alas'; a cry of lament/dread opening this brief, ominous closing oracle.
מִ֥יwhointerrogative pronoun · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subject of rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who'; rhetorical, implying 'no one.'
יִחְיֶ֖הshall live/surviveQal impf 3ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: potential/future — a dire rhetorical question about survivalחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the rhetorical question implies universal calamity — none shall survive.
מִשֻּׂמ֥וֹfrom his appointing/doing [this]prep מִן + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · שׂוּם (H7760)Temporal/causal infinitival phrase modifying יִחְיֶה→ Infinitival: the triggering divine action — 'from when/because God ordains/does [this]'שׂוּם (H7760) 'to place, appoint, do'; מִשֻּׂמוֹ אֵל idiomatically '(from) when God does/appoints this' — one of the more syntactically difficult phrases in the chapter, variously rendered.
אֵֽלGodN m sg abs (divine name) · אֵל (H410)Subject of the infinitival clause מִשֻּׂמוֹאֵל (H410); the divine agent behind the coming, unspecified catastrophe that closes the oracle cycle on a note of dread.
24
וְצִים֙ מִיַּ֣ד כִּתִּ֔ים וְעִנּ֥וּ אַשּׁ֖וּר וְעִנּוּ עֵ֑בֶר וְגַם ה֖וּא עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber; and he too shall come to destruction.
Notoriously the most historically opaque verse in the chapter: the identity of Kittim (Cyprus/Greeks/Romans in later usage), Asshur, and Eber, and the sequence of conquests envisioned, defy confident reconstruction; many read it as a late, telescoped survey of successive Near Eastern imperial powers, each destined for the same 'perishing' that closed the Amalek oracle (v.20) — honesty about the crux is warranted rather than false precision.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְצִים֙and shipsconj וְ + N m pl abs · צִי (H6716)Subject of implicit verb of motion (the ensuing verbs עִנּוּ describe their action)צִי (H6716) 'ship'; a fleet arriving from the west/Mediterranean, one of the chapter's most historically debated images.
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand/coast ofprep מִן + N c.sg construct · יָד (H3027)Source prepositional phrase modifying צִיםיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatically 'from the side/coast/region of' — מִיַּד כִּתִּים 'from the region of Kittim.'
כִּתִּ֔יםKittimNp (gentilic/place) · כִּתִּים (H3794)Genitive after construct יַדכִּתִּים (H3794), originally Kition on Cyprus, broadening in later usage (esp. Qumran and Daniel) to denote seafaring western powers generally (Greeks, then Romans); the identity intended here is genuinely uncertain and much debated.
וְעִנּ֥וּand shall afflictconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · עִנָּה (H6031)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing future certainty — decisive future afflictionעָנָה (H6031) Piel 'to afflict, oppress, humble'; the ships' devastating impact on the named nations.
אַשּׁ֖וּרAsshurNp · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Direct object of וְעִנּוּאַשּׁוּר (H804), Assyria; recurs from v.22, here as victim of the Kittim's assault — plausibly reflecting later historical memory (Assyria's own eventual fall) retrojected into the oracle.
וְעִנּוּand shall afflictconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · עִנָּה (H6031)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing future certaintyעָנָה (H6031); repeated, extending the affliction to a second victim.
עֵ֑בֶרEberNp · עֵבֶר (H5677)Direct object of the second וְעִנּוּעֵבֶר (H5677), likely 'the region/peoples beyond [the river/Euphrates]' or the eponym behind 'Hebrew' (עִבְרִי, Gen 10:21-25); another notorious crux — its precise referent here (a place, a people, or symbolic 'the other side') is disputed.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus particle introducing the concluding clauseגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; signals that the aggressor itself will not escape final ruin.
ה֖וּאhe/itindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the concluding verbless/participial clause (referring to Kittim)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; referring back to כִּתִּים/צִים — even the conquering fleet's own power will not endure.
עֲדֵ֥יunto/to the point ofprep (poetic) · עֲדֵי (H5703)Prepositional phrase modifying the predicate אֹבֵדעַד (H5703) 'unto'; poetic form, as in v.20.
אֹבֵֽדdestruction/perishingQal ptc ms (substantival) · אָבַד (H8)Predicate of the verbless clauseאָבַד (H8); repeats the same closing word as v.20's Amalek oracle — a formulaic refrain of ultimate ruin closing the whole oracle-cycle: even history's mightiest conquerors end in perishing.
25
וַיָּ֣קָם בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ וַיָּ֣שָׁב לִמְקֹמ֑וֹ וְגַם בָּלָ֖ק הָלַ֥ךְ לְדַרְכּֽוֹ
And Balaam rose and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
A terse, anticlimactic close: after Balak's earlier explosive anger (v.10), both men simply depart. The quiet ending belies the narrative's later coda (31:8,16), where Balaam is killed among the Midianites and blamed for the Baal-Peor seduction (ch.25) he obliquely foreshadowed in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיָּ֣קָםand he arosewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — closing actionקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; echoes the oracle's own וְקָם (v.17) — Balaam himself now rises to depart, as the scepter was prophesied to rise.
בִּלְעָ֔םBalaamNp · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Subject of וַיָּקָםבִּלְעָם (H1109); the seer's final narrative appearance in this cycle.
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand he wentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212, =יָלַךְ)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212 = יָלַךְ) 'to go'; the fulfilment of his own stated intention in v.14 (הוֹלֵךְ לְעַמִּי).
וַיָּ֣שָׁבand he returnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; completes Balaam's homeward journey.
לִמְקֹמ֑וֹto his placeprep לְ + N m sg construct + 3ms suffix · מָקוֹם (H4725)Directional prepositional phrase, object of וַיָּשָׁבמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; echoes Balak's own command in v.11 (אֶל מְקוֹמֶךָ) — Balaam obeys, though only after delivering the very oracles Balak sought to prevent.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus particle introducing the parallel closing clause about Balakגַּם (H1571) 'also'; pairs Balak's departure with Balaam's, closing the whole Balaam cycle (chs. 22-24) with both protagonists going their separate ways.
בָּלָ֖קBalakNp · בָּלָק (H1111)Subject of הָלַךְבָּלָק (H1111); the Moabite king, his commission entirely frustrated, now departs empty-handed.
הָלַ֥ךְwentQal perf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, final act — closing the narrativeהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; a quiet, anticlimactic close after Balak's earlier fury (v.10) — no further protest, only departure.
לְדַרְכּֽוֹon his wayprep לְ + N c.sg construct + 3ms suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/direction), object of הָלַךְדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; idiom הָלַךְ לְדַרְכּוֹ 'went his own way' — the narrative's closing formula, echoed later at Balaam's fate (cf. 31:8) once he does not, after all, simply vanish from the story.