Numbers 24:14

KJV

And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

KJV (with Strong's)

And now, behold, I go {H1980} unto my people {H5971}: come {H3212} therefore, and I will advertise {H3289} thee what this people {H5971} shall do {H6213} to thy people {H5971} in the latter {H319} days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But now that I am going back to my own people, come, I will warn you what this people will do to your people in the acharit-hayamim.

Berean Standard Bible

Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

American Standard Version

And now, behold, I go unto my people: come, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 24:14 captures Balaam's pivotal, divinely compelled declaration to Balak, King of Moab, marking his final address before departure. Despite his initial intent to curse Israel, Balaam is forced by God's sovereign hand to prophesy Israel's future ascendancy and what they will do to Moab and other nations "in the latter days." This verse powerfully underscores God's unthwartable will, His absolute control over human and spiritual opposition, and the certainty of His redemptive purposes unfolding throughout history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 24:14 serves as a crucial transition point within the Balaam narrative, following his initial four divinely-mandated blessings upon Israel (Numbers 23:7-10, 23:18-24, 24:3-9, 24:15-19). Having failed to curse Israel despite Balak's repeated attempts and lavish offerings, Balaam now announces his departure. However, before leaving, he delivers this unsolicited, yet divinely inspired, warning. This verse sets the stage for the climactic fifth oracle (Numbers 24:15-24), which elaborates on Israel's future dominance over the surrounding nations, culminating in the profound Messianic prophecy of the "Star out of Jacob" and "Scepter out of Israel" in [Numbers 24:17](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17 - The Star Out of Jacob"). It shifts from direct oracles to a personal, albeit prophetic, address, emphasizing the inescapable nature of God's revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Balak, the Moabite king, perceived them as a significant threat, prompting him to hire Balaam, a renowned diviner from Pethor in Mesopotamia, to curse the advancing nation. The practice of employing foreign seers for spiritual warfare was common in the ancient Near East. Balaam's reputation as whose blessings or curses were effective (Numbers 22:6) made him a valuable, though ultimately ineffective, tool for Balak. This historical backdrop highlights the clash between human fear and political maneuvering on one hand, and God's sovereign control over nations and individuals on the other. The phrase "latter days" (Hebrew: *acharit hayyamim*) was a recognized prophetic term, pointing to a decisive future period when divine purposes would come to fruition, often involving significant shifts in geopolitical power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is **God's Unstoppable Sovereignty**, demonstrating that no human scheme or spiritual opposition can thwart His divine will for His chosen people. Balaam, a pagan diviner, becomes an unwilling mouthpiece for God, underscoring the theme of **Divine Revelation Beyond Human Will**. His compelled prophecies highlight that God can use anyone, even unrighteous individuals, to accomplish His purposes. The declaration concerning "the latter days" introduces the theme of **Prophetic Foresight and Eschatology**, emphasizing that God's plans extend far beyond immediate circumstances into a predetermined future, culminating in the establishment of His kingdom. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as He protects Israel and ensures their future, turning intended curses into blessings, as seen in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turns Curses into Blessings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Advertise (Hebrew, _ya'ats'_):** The King James Version's use of "advertise" here is an archaic rendering. The Hebrew root *ya'ats* (יָעַץ) primarily means "to advise," "to counsel," or "to warn." In this context, it signifies Balaam's intention to impart crucial, divinely revealed information to Balak—a solemn warning or disclosure rather than a mere announcement. It underscores the weighty and authoritative nature of the message he is about to deliver.
* **Latter days (Hebrew, _acharit hayyamim'_):** This is a highly significant technical prophetic term (*אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים*) used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Genesis 49:1](/genesis/49-1 "Genesis 49:1 - Jacob's Prophecy of the Latter Days"), [Deuteronomy 4:30](/deuteronomy/4-30 "Deuteronomy 4:30 - Israel's Return in the Latter Days")). It does not simply mean "the future" in a general sense, but rather a specific, decisive, and often eschatological period when God's ultimate purposes for Israel and the world will be fulfilled. It points to the culmination of redemptive history, often associated with the coming of the Messiah, the final destiny of nations, and the full establishment of God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now, behold, I go unto my people":** Balaam formally announces his intention to depart from Balak and return to his own land. This statement marks the apparent conclusion of his contractual obligation to Balak, signifying that the series of forced oracles is seemingly over. However, the subsequent clause immediately reveals that his prophetic compulsion has not yet ceased.
* **"come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee":** Despite his declared departure, Balaam feels an undeniable, divine compulsion to deliver one final, unsolicited message. The archaic "advertise" here means "I will inform you" or "I will warn you." It indicates that Balaam is about to impart a critical, divinely-revealed piece of information, a solemn disclosure that Balak needs to hear, regardless of his desire.
* **"what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days":** This is the core of Balaam's final, compelled prophecy. He, who was hired to curse Israel, now prophesies their future dominance and the actions they will take against Moab and other surrounding nations. The phrase "in the latter days" elevates this warning beyond immediate events, placing it within the broader sweep of God's sovereign plan for history, pointing to a climactic future period when Israel's destiny and God's redemptive purposes will be fully realized.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with **Irony**, as Balaam, hired to curse Israel, is repeatedly compelled to bless them and then, in this verse, to warn their enemy of Israel's future triumph. This highlights the futility of human opposition against divine will. The phrase "latter days" functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**, pointing to significant future events in Israel's history, including their conquests, their establishment as a kingdom, and ultimately, the coming of the Messiah. The entire narrative surrounding Balaam, and especially this verse, serves as a direct **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events, delivered through an unwilling and morally compromised prophet, thereby emphasizing God's absolute control over the message and its messenger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 24:14 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and the immutability of His divine plan. Despite human machinations and spiritual opposition, God's purposes for His people cannot be thwarted. Balaam, a pagan diviner, becomes an unwitting instrument in God's hands, demonstrating that God can use anyone, even those outside His covenant, to declare His truth. This verse sets the stage for the profound Messianic prophecy that immediately follows, underscoring that God's ultimate plan for Israel culminates in the coming of a King who will establish an eternal kingdom. It assures believers that God is actively working in history, guiding events towards His predetermined end, and that His word, once spoken, is utterly reliable and will come to pass.

* [Genesis 49:1](/genesis/49-1 "Genesis 49:1 - Jacob's Prophecy of the Latter Days")
* [Deuteronomy 4:30](/deuteronomy/4-30 "Deuteronomy 4:30 - Israel's Return in the Latter Days")
* [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord in the Latter Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 24:14 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It calls us to rest in the unshakeable truth of God's sovereignty, recognizing that no human scheme, political power, or spiritual adversary can ultimately thwart His perfect will. In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God is actively orchestrating history, moving all things toward His predetermined glorious conclusion. It encourages us to trust His foreknowledge and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire or when opposition mounts. Our confidence is not in human strength or strategic planning, but in the God who compels even His enemies to declare His truth. This should inspire us to live with bold assurance, knowing that our God reigns and His kingdom will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Balaam's compelled prophecy affirm God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even those orchestrated by evil intent?**
* **What comfort can we draw from the understanding that God's plans for His people are unthwartable, extending even into "the latter days"?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to doubt God's sovereignty when faced with opposition, and how does this passage encourage steadfast faith?**

### FAQ

**What does "advertise" mean in Numbers 24:14?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "advertise" is an archaic term. In modern English, it means "to inform," "to warn," or "to give notice." Balaam is not placing an advertisement; rather, he is delivering a solemn, divinely-revealed warning or disclosure to Balak about Israel's future actions and destiny. It signifies a crucial piece of information that Balak is compelled to hear.

**What is the significance of "the latter days" (_acharit hayyamim_) in this context?**

Answer: "The latter days" (*acharit hayyamim*) is a crucial prophetic term in the Old Testament, referring not merely to the distant future but to a specific, decisive period when God's ultimate purposes for Israel and the nations will be fulfilled. It often carries strong eschatological implications, pointing to the culmination of redemptive history, including the coming of the Messiah, the final destiny of nations, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Balaam's use of this phrase here indicates that his prophecy is not just for the immediate future but has long-term, ultimate significance in God's unfolding plan for the world, foreshadowing the events detailed in [Numbers 24:17-24](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17-24 - Balaam's Final Prophecy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 24:14, with its declaration of Israel's future dominance "in the latter days," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Balaam's unwilling prophecy, particularly the subsequent vision of the "Star out of Jacob" and the "Scepter out of Israel" ([Numbers 24:17](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17 - The Star Out of Jacob")), is a direct Messianic prediction. Jesus is the true Star who arose from Jacob, signifying His divine origin and kingly authority, as recognized by the Magi in [Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - The Star of Bethlehem") and affirmed by Christ Himself in [Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Jesus, the Bright Morning Star"). He is the Scepter, the rightful King who establishes God's eternal kingdom, fulfilling all prophecies concerning Israel's ultimate triumph and God's universal reign. His first coming inaugurated these "latter days" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken in These Last Days by His Son"), [Acts 2:17](/acts/2-17 "Acts 2:17 - Peter's Sermon on the Last Days")), bringing salvation and judgment, and His second coming will bring them to glorious consummation. Thus, Balaam's compelled "advertisement" of Israel's future is, in essence, a divinely orchestrated foreshadowing of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, through whom God's redemptive plan for all humanity is perfectly realized.

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

Micah 6:5

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

Genesis 49:1

¶ And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you [that] which shall befall you in the last days.

Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Daniel 2:28

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

2 Timothy 3:1

¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Acts 2:17

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Hosea 3:5

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.