Numbers 23:24

KJV

Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat [of] the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the people {H5971} shall rise up {H6965} as a great lion {H3833}, and lift up {H5375} himself as a young lion {H738}: he shall not lie down {H7901} until he eat {H398} of the prey {H2964}, and drink {H8354} the blood {H1818} of the slain {H2491}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is a people rising up like a lioness; like a lion he rears himself up -he will not lie down till he eats up the prey and drinks the blood of the slain."

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”

American Standard Version

Behold, the people riseth up as a lioness, And as a lion doth he lift himself up: He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:24, part of Balaam's third oracle, powerfully depicts Israel's divinely ordained strength and unstoppable trajectory. Despite King Balak's attempts to curse them, God compels Balaam to prophesy Israel's ascent as a formidable, lion-like nation. This verse underscores their relentless pursuit of victory, symbolizing their future conquest of the promised land and their decisive triumph over all adversaries, a strength rooted not in their own might but in God's immutable blessing and presence among them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the third of four oracles delivered by Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, at the behest of Balak, the king of Moab. Balak had hired Balaam to curse the burgeoning Israelite nation, which had recently camped on the plains of Moab, instilling fear in the local inhabitants. However, in a profound demonstration of divine sovereignty, God repeatedly intervened, placing words of blessing and prophetic insight into Balaam's mouth instead of curses. The preceding verses in [Numbers 23](/numbers/23 "Numbers 23 - Balaam's Oracles") establish God's unchangeable character and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, declaring that "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent" ([Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God's Immutability")). This oracle, therefore, serves as a climactic declaration of Israel's unique status, divine protection, and formidable future, directly contradicting Balak's intentions and reinforcing the themes of God's faithfulness and Israel's distinct identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in their journey, the Israelites had recently escaped Egyptian bondage and were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, having already demonstrated formidable military might against the Amorites and Og of Bashan ([Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21-35 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel's Victories Over Sihon and Og")). Their sheer numbers and recent victories understandably terrified the Moabites and Midianites, who perceived them as an existential threat. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for nations to employ diviners or prophets to invoke curses upon their enemies, believing such spiritual warfare could determine the outcome of physical conflicts. Balak's hiring of Balaam fits squarely into this cultural framework. The imagery of the lion was universally understood as a symbol of strength, royalty, ferocity, and conquest in the ancient world, frequently associated with powerful kings and empires. Applying this imagery to Israel was a powerful statement of their future dominance and invincibility under divine patronage.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes emerging from this verse and its immediate context include God's **Sovereignty** over human intentions, as He turns a curse into a blessing; the **Uniqueness and Divine Election of Israel**, set apart by God for a special purpose; and the theme of **Conquest and Fulfillment of Promise**. The lion imagery powerfully conveys Israel's **Strength and Invincibility** when aligned with God's will, assuring them of victory in their future battles for the land of Canaan, a promise first given to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abraham")). Furthermore, it highlights the **Immutability of God's Word**, demonstrating that His promises and blessings cannot be thwarted by human or demonic opposition, echoing the declaration that "the LORD their God is with them" ([Numbers 23:21](/numbers/23-21 "Numbers 23:21 - God's Presence with Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lion (Hebrew, _lavi'_ / _layish_):** The KJV translates two distinct Hebrew words as "lion." לָבִיא (_lavi'_) typically refers to a mature, powerful lion, often associated with its ferocity and strength, particularly when hunting. לַיִשׁ (_layish_) denotes a young, vigorous lion, full of latent power and readiness for action. The use of both terms in conjunction ("great lion" and "young lion") is a powerful literary device, emphasizing the comprehensive and dynamic strength of Israel. It suggests a nation that possesses both the seasoned might of an established power and the youthful vigor and aggressive potential of a rising force, indicating a complete and irresistible capacity for conquest. This dual imagery underscores that Israel's strength is not fleeting but enduring, encompassing both present prowess and future growth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion,"**: This opening clause serves as an emphatic declaration, drawing attention to a remarkable truth. The comparison of Israel to a "great lion" (לָבִיא, _lavi'_) immediately establishes their formidable nature. It signifies their inherent power, regal stature, and predatory strength. "Rise up" suggests an active, aggressive posture, indicating that Israel will not remain passive but will assert its dominance and fulfill its destiny through decisive action, akin to a lion rousing itself for the hunt.
* **"and lift up himself as a young lion:"**: This second comparison to a "young lion" (לַיִשׁ, _layish_) complements the first, adding another layer of meaning. While the "great lion" speaks to established power, the "young lion" emphasizes vitality, agility, and an unquenchable drive. It suggests that Israel's strength is not just mature but also fresh, dynamic, and full of potential, ready to pounce and overcome. The phrase "lift up himself" reinforces the idea of self-assertion and an unstoppable ascent to power.
* **"he shall not lie down until he eat [of] the prey,"**: This clause vividly portrays the relentless and determined nature of Israel's conquest. The lion, once roused, will not rest or cease its pursuit until its objective is fully achieved. "Eat of the prey" is a metaphor for complete victory and the appropriation of what is rightfully theirs – in this context, the land and resources of their enemies. It implies a total and decisive subjugation, leaving no task undone.
* **"and drink the blood of the slain."**: This final, stark image intensifies the metaphor of conquest, underscoring the absolute and unsparing nature of Israel's triumph over its adversaries. "Drinking the blood of the slain" is a graphic, ancient Near Eastern idiom for utterly vanquishing an enemy, leaving no survivors or challenge remaining. It signifies the complete destruction of opposition and the full realization of their God-given mandate to possess the land. While graphic, it prophetically declares the certainty and thoroughness of Israel's future victories.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 23:24 is rich in **Imagery**, primarily through the powerful and recurrent **Metaphor** of the lion. Israel is not merely like a lion; in this prophetic declaration, they embody the characteristics of both a "great lion" (mature strength) and a "young lion" (vigorous, rising power), creating a comprehensive picture of their formidable nature. This **Zoomorphism** effectively communicates ferocity, royalty, and an unstoppable drive. The phrases "eat of the prey" and "drink the blood of the slain" are vivid examples of **Hyperbole** and **Synecdoche**, where a part (eating/drinking) represents the whole (complete conquest and destruction of enemies). These expressions, while graphic, are not meant to be taken literally as cannibalism but rather as a powerful, culturally understood representation of absolute victory and the complete subjugation of adversaries. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future military campaigns and victories that Israel would experience in the conquest of Canaan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prophecy in Numbers 23:24 stands as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His sovereign control over history. It demonstrates that divine blessing is not merely passive favor but an active empowerment for conquest and fulfillment of purpose. The imagery of the lion, often associated with royalty and power, foreshadows Israel's future as a dominant nation, particularly through the Davidic monarchy ([Genesis 49:9](/genesis/49-9 "Genesis 49:9 - Judah's Lion Prophecy")). This passage assures Israel, and by extension, all God's people, that when God is for them, no human or spiritual opposition can ultimately prevail. It underscores the theme of God's faithfulness to His promises, even when human agents attempt to thwart His plans.

* [Genesis 49:9](/genesis/49-9 "Genesis 49:9 - Judah's Lion Prophecy")
* [Deuteronomy 33:29](/deuteronomy/33-29 "Deuteronomy 33:29 - Israel's Blessedness")
* [Micah 5:8](/micah/5-8 "Micah 5:8 - Israel as a Lion Among Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The prophecy in Numbers 23:24, while rooted in ancient Israel's historical context of physical conquest, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our strength and victory are not derived from our own capabilities but from the indwelling power and unwavering faithfulness of God. Just as God empowered Israel to overcome formidable foes and possess their promised inheritance, He equips us to face spiritual battles and pursue the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ. This verse calls us to embrace a posture of confident reliance on God, knowing that He is actively at work to fulfill His purposes through us. It challenges us to rise up in faith, not to "lie down" in complacency or defeat, but to press forward in the spiritual warfare against sin, temptation, and the forces of darkness, assured that the victory is ultimately His. Our "prey" is the spiritual ground we are called to reclaim for God's kingdom, and our "conquest" is the triumph of righteousness in our lives and in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like you are "lying down" rather than "rising up" in faith?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over Balaam's intentions encourage you in the face of opposition or perceived curses?**
* **What "prey" (spiritual goals, areas of breakthrough, or kingdom assignments) is God calling you to relentlessly pursue until you "eat" and "drink" of its full realization?**
* **How can the imagery of the lion inspire you to live with greater courage and confidence in your identity as God's child?**

### FAQ
**Why is Israel compared to a lion, and what does "drink the blood of the slain" mean?**

Answer: The comparison of Israel to a lion in Numbers 23:24 is a powerful **metaphor** for strength, royalty, ferocity, and an unstoppable nature. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the lion was a universally recognized symbol of power and dominance, often associated with kings and victorious armies. By likening Israel to both a "great lion" (mature, established power) and a "young lion" (vigorous, rising potential), Balaam emphasizes the comprehensive and dynamic might of the nation. This imagery prophetically declares that Israel will be a formidable force, capable of decisively overcoming its enemies.

The phrase "drink the blood of the slain" is a graphic, yet symbolic, expression common in ancient warfare rhetoric. It does not imply literal cannibalism or a barbaric act, but rather signifies absolute and complete victory. It means that Israel will utterly defeat its adversaries, leaving no remnants of opposition, and fully possess the spoils of war. It's a vivid way of saying that their conquest will be thorough and decisive, fulfilling God's promise to give them the land and subdue their enemies, as seen in later accounts of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua ([Joshua 10:40](/joshua/10-40 "Joshua 10:40 - Joshua's Complete Victory")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 23:24 directly prophesied Israel's physical conquest, its ultimate fulfillment points to the spiritual triumph of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and His kingdom. Jesus is revealed as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah")), embodying the ultimate strength, royalty, and victorious power foreshadowed in this passage. He rose up not against earthly armies, but against the spiritual forces of sin, death, and the devil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His "prey" was the dominion of darkness, and through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, He decisively "ate of the prey" by conquering sin and death, and "drank the blood of the slain" by utterly vanquishing the power of the enemy. The Church, as the spiritual Israel, is now empowered by this victorious Lion, called to "rise up" and participate in His ongoing spiritual conquest, not through physical warfare but through the proclamation of the Gospel and the demonstration of God's transformative power ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). We do not "lie down" in defeat, but stand firm in the victory Christ has already secured, knowing that through Him, we are more than conquerors ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

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

Genesis 49:9

Judah [is] a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

Genesis 49:27

Benjamin shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

Zechariah 12:6

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, [even] in Jerusalem.

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

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.

Numbers 24:9

He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee.

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.