Numbers 24:19

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Out of Jacob {H3290} shall come he that shall have dominion {H7287}, and shall destroy {H6} him that remaineth {H8300} of the city {H5892}.

From Ya'akov will come someone who will rule, and he will destroy what is left of the city."

A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

And out of Jacob shall one have dominion, And shall destroy the remnant from the city.

Commentary

Numbers 24:19 is a profound verse within the fourth and final prophecy delivered by Balaam, the diviner hired by Balak, King of Moab, to curse Israel. Despite Balak's intentions, God repeatedly put words of blessing and prophecy into Balaam's mouth, revealing His sovereign plan for His people.

Context of Numbers 24:19

This verse is part of Balaam's climactic vision, often referred to as the "Star Prophecy" (Numbers 24:15-19). Having seen Israel encamped by their tribes, Balaam is compelled by the Spirit of God to speak of a glorious future for Israel. His preceding words in Numbers 24:17 speak of a "Star out of Jacob" and a "Sceptre shall rise out of Israel," clearly pointing to a powerful, kingly figure. Verse 19 specifies the nature of this figure's rule and conquest.

Meaning and Key Themes

The phrase "Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion" points to a powerful, authoritative ruler emerging from the nation of Israel. The Hebrew word for "dominion" here is radah, signifying to rule, to subdue, or to tread down. This ruler will not only establish authority but also "destroy him that remaineth of the city," implying complete victory over enemies, particularly those who oppose God's people. While historically fulfilled in part by King David's conquests against Moab and Edom (as seen in 2 Samuel 8), the prophecy reaches its ultimate and most significant fulfillment in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

  • Messianic Prophecy: This verse is a clear prophetic declaration of a future King from Israel who will exercise ultimate authority. It aligns with other Old Testament prophecies concerning a coming ruler, such as the scepter not departing from Judah (Genesis 49:10).
  • Divine Sovereignty: Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is supernaturally constrained by God to bless Israel and reveal His divine plan, demonstrating God's absolute control over all circumstances and individuals.
  • Ultimate Victory: The promise of destroying "him that remaineth of the city" signifies a complete and decisive triumph over adversaries. In the broader biblical narrative, this points to Christ's ultimate victory over sin, death, and all opposing powers.

Linguistic Insights

The term "dominion" (Hebrew: radah) carries the weight of authoritative rule and subjugation. It's the same word used in Genesis 1:28 regarding humanity's dominion over creation, but here it applies to a divinely appointed ruler who will exercise power over nations and enemies.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Cross-References

While King David's reign saw significant fulfillment of dominion over surrounding nations like Moab and Edom, the full scope of this prophecy transcends any single earthly king. The "he that shall have dominion" ultimately points to Jesus Christ. His spiritual dominion is already established, and His future return will bring about the complete and final subjugation of all His enemies, as prophesied throughout scripture. The New Testament portrays Christ as the one who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18) and who will ultimately rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).

Practical Application

Numbers 24:19 offers immense encouragement to believers today. It underscores the certainty of God's prophetic word and His unwavering plan for His people. We can find confidence in the knowledge that Christ, our King, has ultimate dominion and will ultimately conquer all that opposes righteousness and peace. This verse reminds us to trust in God's sovereign power and His ultimate victory, even when facing present challenges or opposition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 28:18

    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].

  • Ephesians 1:20

    Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

  • Ephesians 1:22

    And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,

  • Psalms 2:1

    ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

  • Psalms 2:12

    Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
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