King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth [part] of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Who has counted the dust of Ya'akov or numbered the ashes of Isra'el? May I die as the righteous die! May my end be like theirs!"
Berean Standard Bible:
Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”
American Standard Version:
Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who can count{H4487} the dust{H6083} of Jacob{H3290}, and the number{H4557} of the fourth{H7255} part of Israel{H3478}? Let me die{H4191}{H5315} the death{H4194} of the righteous{H3477}, and let my last{H319} end be like his!
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 37:37
- Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.
Genesis 13:16
- And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.
Psalms 116:15
- Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.
Revelation 14:13
- ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
2 Corinthians 5:1
- ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Isaiah 57:1
- ¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].
Isaiah 57:2
- He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, [each one] walking [in] his uprightness.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 23:10
**Numbers 23:10 Themes:**
1. **Innumerability of Israel:** The verse speaks to the vastness of the Israelite population, likening their multitude to dust, which is virtually uncountable. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16).
2. **Blessing and Cursing:** This verse is part of the Balaam narrative, where Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead, Balaam blesses them, recognizing God's favor and their innumerable quantity, which is a testament to God's power and faithfulness.
3. **Righteousness and Desirable Death:** Balaam expresses a desire to die as the righteous do, indicating a recognition of the blessed state of those who are faithful to God. This reflects a broader biblical theme that the righteous have a hopeful end, contrasting with the fearful or negative connotations associated with the death of the wicked.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events in Numbers 23 occur during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, on their way to the Promised Land. This would place the narrative around the 13th century BCE.
- **Balaam and Balak:** Balak, king of Moab, fears the approaching Israelite nation due to their recent victories. He summons Balaam to place a curse on them, hoping to weaken or drive them away. Balaam, however, can only speak the words that God puts in his mouth, and thus he utters blessings instead of curses over Israel.
- **Israel's Growth:** At this point in their history, the Israelites have grown significantly in number. The reference to the "fourth part of Israel" suggests a division or census of the people, which is a recurring theme in the book of Numbers.
- **Divine Protection:** The inability of Balaam to curse Israel underscores the theme of divine protection and favor extended to the nation of Israel by God. Despite their own failings, God's plan for His people cannot be thwarted by external forces.
In summary, Numbers 23:10 reflects the themes of divine blessing, the growth of Israel, and the recognition of righteousness, set against the historical backdrop of Israel's wilderness wanderings and the interaction between the pagan prophet Balaam and the Moabite king Balak.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4487
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָנָה
Transliteration: mânâh
Pronunciation: maw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll; appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell. - Strong's Number: H6083
There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָפָר
Transliteration: ʻâphâr
Pronunciation: aw-fawr'
Description: from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H4557
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְפָּר
Transliteration: miçpâr
Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. - Strong's Number: H7255
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹבַע
Transliteration: rôbaʻ
Pronunciation: ro'-bah
Description: from רָבַע; a quarter; fourth participle - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H4194
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָוֶת
Transliteration: mâveth
Pronunciation: maw'-veth
Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). - Strong's Number: H3477
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשָׁר
Transliteration: yâshâr
Pronunciation: yaw-shawr'
Description: from יָשַׁר; straight (literally or figuratively); convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness). - Strong's Number: H319
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֲרִית
Transliteration: ʼachărîyth
Pronunciation: akh-ar-eeth'
Description: from אַחַר; the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity; (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.