Numbers 23:22

KJV

God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

KJV (with Strong's)

God {H410} brought them out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714}; he hath as it were the strength {H8443} of an unicorn {H7214}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"God, who brought them out of Egypt, gives them the strength of a wild ox;

Berean Standard Bible

God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.

American Standard Version

God bringeth them forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:22, part of Balaam's second divinely-compelled oracle, powerfully declares God's unparalleled strength and His unwavering commitment to Israel. It highlights the foundational act of their deliverance from Egypt and asserts that the Almighty possesses an untamed, irresistible power, likened to that of a mighty wild ox, which ensures His people's protection and the fulfillment of His purposes, overriding all human and demonic opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Balaam's second oracle (Numbers 23:18-24), delivered from the "top of Pisgah" after Balak, the king of Moab, moved Balaam from his previous vantage point, hoping a change of scenery would allow Balaam to utter curses against Israel. However, just as in the first oracle (Numbers 23:7-10), God supernaturally controls Balaam's words, turning intended curses into blessings. The phrase "God brought them out of Egypt" serves as a powerful theological anchor, recalling the quintessential act of divine liberation that defines Israel's identity and relationship with Yahweh. This declaration sets the stage for the subsequent affirmation of God's unique and overwhelming strength, which guarantees Israel's security against any foe, including Balak and his hired prophet.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, where the Israelites are encamped at the end of their wilderness journey, poised to enter the Promised Land. King Balak, fearing the vast Israelite host, seeks to neutralize them through supernatural means, hiring Balaam, a renowned diviner from Mesopotamia. In the ancient Near East, curses and blessings were believed to have real, potent power, and diviners like Balaam were sought after for their ability to manipulate these forces. The imagery of the "unicorn" (Hebrew: _re'em_) refers to a powerful, wild ox or aurochs, an animal known for its immense strength, ferocity, and formidable horns, often depicted in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian art. This animal was a symbol of untamed power, a concept easily understood by Balaam and his audience, contrasting sharply with the domesticated animals of their daily lives.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 23:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, demonstrating that God's will cannot be thwarted by human schemes or pagan divination. Secondly, it reinforces God's **Covenant Faithfulness** to Israel, reminding them and their enemies of His foundational act of deliverance from [Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus") and His ongoing commitment to protect His people. Thirdly, the imagery of the "unicorn's strength" highlights God's **Irresistible Power**, emphasizing that His might is unique, untamed, and superior to any earthly or spiritual force, ensuring Israel's protection and their ultimate entry into the land, despite their wilderness wanderings and the opposition they face (cf. [Numbers 14:9](/numbers/14-9 "Numbers 14:9 - God's presence and protection")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** This term (H410) is a shortened form of a word meaning "strength" or "mighty one," often referring to the Almighty, but also used of any deity. In this context, it emphasizes God's inherent nature as the supreme, powerful, and transcendent deity, whose authority and might are universal. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is compelled to acknowledge this supreme God, highlighting His absolute control over all things, including the words of a foreign diviner.
* **brought them out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H3318) signifies "to go out" or, causatively, "to bring out." Its use here refers specifically to God's act of leading Israel out of Egypt. This word encapsulates the Exodus, the defining historical event that demonstrated God's active, powerful intervention in human history to liberate His people. It underscores the divine initiative and power behind Israel's very existence as a free nation.
* **unicorn (Hebrew, _rᵉʼêm'_):** The Hebrew word _rᵉʼêm_ (H7214) refers to a powerful, large, wild ox or aurochs (Bos primigenius), an extinct species of wild cattle known for its immense strength, formidable horns (typically two), and untamed nature. The KJV translation "unicorn" is a historical misinterpretation, as the animal was not mythical or single-horned. The choice of this animal emphasizes God's incomparable, untamed, and overwhelming power, suggesting a strength that cannot be domesticated, resisted, or overcome by any adversary. It conveys raw, primal, and irresistible power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God brought them out of Egypt":** This opening clause serves as a powerful historical and theological declaration. It immediately grounds the statement of God's strength in His proven track record of mighty acts. The Exodus was the defining moment of Israel's formation as a nation, demonstrating God's sovereign power over the mightiest empire of the ancient world (Egypt) and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. This act of liberation is the ultimate proof of His unique strength and His unwavering commitment to His people, setting the stage for the subsequent affirmation of His power.
* **"he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn":** This is a simile that compares God's strength to the formidable, untamed, and irresistible power of the _re'em_ (wild ox/aurochs). The phrase "as it were" indicates a comparison, acknowledging that no earthly creature can fully encapsulate God's infinite power, but the _re'em_ serves as the closest earthly analogy for overwhelming, unyielding might. This assertion emphasizes that God's power is not merely great, but unique, untamable, and sufficient to overcome any opposition, ensuring Israel's security and prosperity despite Balak's attempts to curse them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stating that God's strength is "as it were the strength of a unicorn" (or wild ox). This comparison vividly illustrates God's untamed, formidable, and irresistible power by likening it to an animal renowned for its might in the ancient world. Furthermore, the verse uses **Allusion** to the foundational historical event of the Exodus ("God brought them out of Egypt"), grounding the theological claim of God's power in a tangible, miraculous act of deliverance. This historical reference serves as irrefutable evidence of the divine strength being proclaimed. The imagery itself, particularly the _re'em_, functions as a powerful **Symbolism** for God's unique and overwhelming might, which is beyond human comprehension or control, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:22 profoundly declares the omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness of God. It asserts that the God who delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt is the same God whose strength is incomparable, untamed, and irresistible. This truth undergirds the entire narrative of Israel's wilderness journey, assuring them and us that God's purposes for His people cannot be thwarted by human or demonic opposition. His power is not merely a force but an expression of His character – His commitment to His covenant and His absolute control over all creation. This verse offers profound reassurance that the God who acted mightily in the past continues to possess infinite strength to deliver, protect, and fulfill His promises for His people in every generation.

* [Deuteronomy 33:17](/deuteronomy/33-17 "Deuteronomy 33:17 - The strength of Joseph's descendants")
* [Psalm 22:21](/psalms/22-21 "Psalm 22:21 - Deliverance from the wild ox")
* [Isaiah 43:1-3](/isaiah/43-1-3 "Isaiah 43:1-3 - God's promise of deliverance and protection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 23:22 serves as a powerful anchor for our faith, reminding us that the God we serve is not weak or limited, but possesses an untamed, irresistible strength that has been proven throughout history. Just as He delivered Israel from the overwhelming power of Egypt and protected them from the curses of their enemies, so too does He possess infinite might to deliver and protect us from all spiritual and physical opposition. This verse calls us to move beyond a superficial understanding of God's power and to truly trust in His omnipotence, knowing that His plans for us cannot be thwarted. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, spiritual battles, or the weight of worldly pressures, we can rest in the assurance that the same God who brought Israel out of bondage is our God, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He is our ultimate source of security, victory, and hope, capable of turning any curse into a blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "wild ox-like" strength impact your trust in Him when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God's sovereign power, rather than relying on your own limited strength or human solutions?**
* **How does God's past faithfulness, particularly His mighty act of bringing Israel out of Egypt, encourage you about His future provision and protection in your own circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why does the King James Version translate the Hebrew word _re'em_ as "unicorn"?**

Answer: The KJV translation of _re'em_ as "unicorn" stems from a long interpretive tradition rather than a direct linguistic equivalent. The Hebrew word _re'em_ (רְאֵם) refers to a powerful, wild ox or aurochs (Bos primigenius), an extinct species of large, formidable wild cattle, known for its immense strength and prominent horns. This animal was a symbol of untamed power in the ancient Near East. The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) translated _re'em_ as _monokeros_ (μονόκερως), meaning "one-horned." This translation likely arose from interpreting the animal's profile or perhaps from observing a single, dominant horn in certain perspectives or species. The Latin Vulgate followed suit with _unicornis_, from which the English "unicorn" was derived. Over time, the mythical image of a horse-like creature with a single horn became associated with the word. However, the original biblical intent was to convey the raw, untamed, and overwhelming strength of a powerful wild bovine, emphasizing God's incomparable might, as seen in other passages like [Deuteronomy 33:17](/deuteronomy/33-17 "Deuteronomy 33:17 - Joseph's strength like the horns of the re'em") and [Psalm 92:10](/psalms/92-10 "Psalm 92:10 - My horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn").

**What is the significance of the phrase "God brought them out of Egypt" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "God brought them out of Egypt" is profoundly significant because it serves as a foundational declaration of God's redemptive power and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. The Exodus was the quintessential act of salvation in Israel's history, demonstrating God's sovereign control over the most powerful empire of the ancient world. By recalling this event, Balaam, under divine compulsion, reminds Balak and all listeners that Israel's existence and security are rooted not in their own strength or human alliances, but solely in the mighty hand of God. It underscores that the same God who performed such an unparalleled miracle of liberation continues to be their protector and sustainer. This historical anchor provides the irrefutable evidence for the subsequent claim of God's unique and irresistible strength, affirming that His past actions guarantee His future intentions to bless and preserve His people, turning any curse into a blessing (cf. [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's promise to bring Israel out of Egypt")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:22, with its declaration of God's untamed strength and His mighty act of bringing Israel out of Egypt, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in Jesus Christ. The Exodus, a powerful display of God's delivering power, foreshadows the greater spiritual exodus accomplished by Christ, who delivers humanity from the bondage of sin, death, and the dominion of darkness (cf. [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). The "strength of a unicorn" (wild ox) that characterized God's power in the Old Testament is fully manifested in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. His resurrection from the dead is the supreme demonstration of God's irresistible power, far surpassing any earthly might (cf. [Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - The Immeasurable Greatness of God's Power")). Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, possessing all authority in heaven and on earth (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Revelation 5:5-6](/revelation/5-5-6 "Revelation 5:5-6 - The Lion and the Lamb")). Just as God protected Israel with His mighty strength, Christ now protects His Church, His new covenant people, from all spiritual enemies. His victory ensures that no curse, no power of darkness, can stand against those who are in Him, for He has triumphed over all (cf. [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 24:8

God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows.

Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh.

Job 39:9

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Job 39:11

Wilt thou trust him, because his strength [is] great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

Psalms 22:21

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 14:18

And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.