King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They spread out like valleys, like gardens by the riverside, like succulent aloes planted by ADONAI, like cedar trees next to the water.
Berean Standard Bible:
They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
American Standard Version:
As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by the river-side, As lign-aloes which Jehovah hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
As the valleys{H5158} are they spread forth{H5186}, as gardens{H1593} by the river's side{H5104}, as the trees of lign aloes{H174} which the LORD{H3068} hath planted{H5193}, and as cedar trees{H730} beside the waters{H4325}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 1:3
- And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Isaiah 58:11
- And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Psalms 104:16
- The trees of the LORD are full [of sap]; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
Jeremiah 31:12
- Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Joel 3:18
- ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Ezekiel 31:3
- Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
Ezekiel 31:4
- The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 24:6
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Blessing and Fertility:** The verse uses lush imagery to convey the idea of divine favor, comparing the prosperity of the valleys and gardens to the blessings that God bestows upon His people.
- **God's Sovereignty:** The mention of the LORD planting trees suggests that God is the ultimate source of life and growth, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation.
- **Nature as a Metaphor for Spiritual Growth:** The verdant imagery serves as a metaphor for spiritual flourishing, indicating that those who are in favor with God will thrive like well-watered trees.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Balaam's Prophecies:** Numbers 24:6 is part of the narrative involving Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing them, Balaam utters oracles of blessing under the influence of the Spirit of God.
- **Israel's Journey:** At this point in the biblical narrative, the Israelites are on their journey to the Promised Land after being freed from slavery in Egypt. They are camped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River.
- **The Larger Narrative:** Balaam's prophecies are significant because they demonstrate God's protection over Israel despite the hostility of neighboring nations, and they underscore the futility of opposing God's will.
- **Aloc and Cedar Imagery:** The trees of lign aloes and cedars are symbols of strength, longevity, and preciousness, often associated with royalty and divinity in the ancient Near East. Their mention here reinforces the idea of God's chosen people being under divine protection and favor.
In summary, Numbers 24:6 is part of Balaam's oracles, which affirm God's blessings on Israel. The verse uses rich natural imagery to symbolize divine favor and the spiritual prosperity that comes with it, within the context of Israel's journey towards the Promised Land and their interactions with the surrounding nations.
*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: H5158
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַחַל
Transliteration: nachal
Pronunciation: nakh'-al
Description: or (feminine) נַחְלָה; (Psalm 124:4), or נַחֲלָה; (Ezekiel 47:19; Ezekiel 48:28), from נָחַל in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine); brook, flood, river, stream, valley. - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H1593
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גַּנָּה
Transliteration: gannâh
Pronunciation: gan-naw'
Description: feminine of גַּן; a garden; garden. - Strong's Number: H5104
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָהָר
Transliteration: nâhâr
Pronunciation: naw-hawr'
Description: from נָהַר; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity; flood, river. - Strong's Number: H174
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲהָלִים
Transliteration: ʼăhâlîym
Pronunciation: a-haw-leem'
Description: or (feminine) אֲהָלוֹת (only used thus in the plural); of foreign origin; aloe wood (i.e. sticks); (tree of lign-) aloes. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5193
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטַע
Transliteration: nâṭaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-tah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant(-er). - Strong's Number: H730
There are 466 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶז
Transliteration: ʼerez
Pronunciation: eh-rez'
Description: from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree). - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).