Numbers 24:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And ships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But ships will come from the coast of Kittim to subdue Ashur and subdue 'Ever, but they too will come to destruction."

Berean Standard Bible:

Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

American Standard Version:

But shipsshall comefrom the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber; And he also shall come to destruction.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And ships^{H6716} shall come from the coast^{H3027} of Chittim^{H3794}, and shall afflict^{H6031} Asshur^{H804}, and shall afflict^{H6031} Eber^{H5677}, and he also shall perish^{H8} for ever^{H5703}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 24:24

**Themes:**
1. **Prophecy of Future Conflicts:** The verse is part of a larger prophecy by Balaam, which speaks of future events involving various nations. It suggests a time of conflict and upheaval.
2. **Maritime Power:** The mention of ships from Chittim indicates the significance of naval power in the prophecy, foreseeing a nation that will come from across the sea to exert influence or control.
3. **Affliction of Nations:** The verse predicts adversity for Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (Hebrews or Israelites), implying a period of suffering or oppression at the hands of a foreign power.
4. **Eschatological Overtones:** The phrase "he also shall perish for ever" hints at a final and complete destruction of an enemy nation or force, which could be interpreted in an end-times or eschatological context.

**Historical Context:**
- **Chittim:** Generally identified with Cyprus or the Phoenician coast, representing a maritime power west of the Promised Land. In later Jewish literature, Chittim sometimes referred to Rome, given its geographical location and historical role as a sea power.
- **Asshur:** Refers to Assyria, a dominant Mesopotamian empire known for its military prowess and for conquering the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE.
- **Eber:** This term can refer to the Hebrews or Israelites, descendants of Eber, an ancestor of Abraham. The affliction mentioned could be related to various historical instances where the Israelites faced subjugation by foreign powers.

The verse is set during the time when the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, and Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead, Balaam uttered prophecies that were favorable to Israel. This particular verse, however, seems to foretell a time of turmoil involving nations that would impact the Israelites.

In summary, Numbers 24:24 is a prophetic verse that speaks to the theme of future conflicts involving maritime invasions and the suffering of nations, including Assyria and the Israelites. It reflects the historical context of the ancient Near East, where sea powers and Mesopotamian empires played significant roles in the political landscape that affected the region's inhabitants.

*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: H6716
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צִי
   Transliteration: tsîy
   Pronunciation: tsee
   Description: from צָוָה; a ship (as a fixture); ship.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3794
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּתִּי
   Transliteration: Kittîy
   Pronunciation: kit-tee'
   Description: or כִּתִּיִּי; patrial from an unused name denoting Cyprus (only in the plural); a Kittite or Cypriote; hence, an islander in general, i.e. the Greeks or Romans on the shores opposite Palestine; Chittim, Kittim.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6031
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root (possibly rather identical with עָנָה through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows); abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for עָנָה), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for עָנָה), speak (by mistake for עָנָה), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise.
   
5. Strong's Number: H804
   There are 340 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַשּׁוּר
   Transliteration: ʼAshshûwr
   Pronunciation: ash-shoor'
   Description: or אַשֻּׁר; apparently from אָשַׁר (in the sense of successful); Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e. Assyria), its region and its empire; Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians. See אָשֻׁר.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5677
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵבֵר
   Transliteration: ʻÊbêr
   Pronunciation: ay'-ber
   Description: the same as עֵבֶר; Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites; Eber, Heber.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8
   There are 22176 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹבֵד
   Transliteration: ʼôbêd
   Pronunciation: o-bade'
   Description: active of participle of אָבַד; (concrete) wretched or (abstract) destruction; perish.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5703
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַד
   Transliteration: ʻad
   Pronunciation: ad
   Description: from עָדָה; properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a preposition); eternity, ever(-lasting, -more), old, perpetually, [phrase] world without end.