Numbers 24:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

Complete Jewish Bible:

Finally, he made this pronouncement: "Oh no! Who can live when God does this?

Berean Standard Bible:

Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?

American Standard Version:

And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he took up^{H5375} his parable^{H4912}, and said^{H559}, Alas^{H188}, who shall live^{H2421} when God^{H410} doeth^{H7760} this!

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Commentary for Numbers 24:23

**Themes:**
Numbers 24:23 is part of the prophecies of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet commissioned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing them, Balaam utters blessings over Israel, as he is compelled by God to speak only what God puts in his mouth. The verse reflects themes of divine sovereignty, the futility of opposing God's will, and the eventual victory of God's people. It also touches on the inevitability of divine judgment and the question of who can stand in the face of God's actions.

**Historical Context:**
The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land. The Moabites, fearing the Israelites, sought to use Balaam's prophetic gifts to curse them and weaken their power. However, Balaam's prophecies, including the one in Numbers 24:23, are overwhelmingly positive towards Israel and foretell the rise of a great ruler (often interpreted as a messianic prophecy). The verse is part of a larger narrative that emphasizes God's protection over Israel and the inability of other nations to thwart His plans for His chosen people. It also serves as a warning to those who would oppose God's will, highlighting the consequences of such actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4912
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשָׁל
   Transliteration: mâshâl
   Pronunciation: maw-shawl'
   Description: apparently from מָשַׁל in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse); byword, like, parable, proverb.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H188
   There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹי
   Transliteration: ʼôwy
   Pronunciation: o'-ee
   Description: probably from אָוָה (in the sense of crying out after); lamentation; also interjectionally Oh!; alas, woe.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2421
   There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָיָה
   Transliteration: châyâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole.
   
6. Strong's Number: H410
   There are 307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵל
   Transliteration: ʼêl
   Pronunciation: ale
   Description: shortened from אַיִל; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity); God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.'
   
7. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.