Numbers 24:2

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

And Balaam {H1109} lifted up {H5375} his eyes {H5869}, and he saw {H7200} Israel {H3478} abiding {H7931} in his tents according to their tribes {H7626}; and the spirit {H7307} of God {H430} came upon him.

Bil'am raised his eyes and saw Isra'el encamped tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,

When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

Commentary

Numbers 24:2 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam, the diviner hired by Balak, King of Moab, to curse the Israelites. This verse sets the stage for Balaam's third and most profound prophecy, revealing God's unyielding purpose for His chosen people.

Context

Having been led to various vantage points by Balak, Balaam had twice attempted to curse Israel, but each time, the words that came out were blessings, not curses, as God intervened. In this instance, Balaam does not go seeking omens, but instead "lifted up his eyes" and saw the orderly encampment of Israel. This visual, combined with the immediate divine intervention, signifies a shift from Balaam's own pagan divinations to a direct impartation of God's Spirit.

The sight of "Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes" emphasizes the divinely ordained order and structure of the Israelite camp, a testament to God's presence and organization among them. This orderly arrangement was not just a military formation but a spiritual sign of their unique relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control. Despite Balak's intentions and Balaam's initial willingness to curse, God sovereignly uses Balaam as a mouthpiece to declare His blessing and future plans for Israel. This highlights that no human scheme can thwart God's ultimate will. Proverbs 19:21 affirms this truth: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
  • The Spirit of God's Empowerment: The phrase "the spirit of God came upon him" signifies a supernatural anointing, distinct from Balaam's usual methods of divination. This divine empowerment transformed him, albeit temporarily, into an instrument of true prophecy, underscoring that God can use anyone, even those outside His covenant, to accomplish His purposes.
  • God's Unchanging Blessing on Israel: The sight of the organized tribes, combined with the Spirit's descent, reinforces God's steadfast commitment to His covenant people. Even when surrounded by enemies and facing attempts to curse them, Israel remained under God's protection and blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the spirit of God came upon him" in Hebrew is ruach Elohim (Χ¨Χ•ΦΌΧ—Φ· ΧΦ±ΧœΦΉΧ”Φ΄Χ™Χ). Ruach can mean wind, breath, or spirit, and here it clearly refers to the divine Spirit, indicating a powerful, supernatural influence. Elohim is a common Hebrew name for God, often used in a general sense but here pointing to the sovereign God of Israel. This specific phrasing highlights that Balaam's subsequent prophecy was not from his own human insight or pagan practices but was a direct, undeniable revelation from the Almighty.

Practical Application

Numbers 24:2 offers several timeless lessons:

  • God's purposes cannot be hindered: We can find comfort in knowing that no human opposition or scheme can ultimately prevent God's plans from unfolding.
  • God uses unexpected instruments: The Lord can use anyone, even those who initially oppose Him or are outside the conventional channels, to achieve His will. This reminds us of God's boundless creativity and power.
  • Trust in God's protection: Just as Israel was supernaturally protected and blessed despite the curses aimed at them, believers today can trust in God's unfailing care and provision, even amidst adversity.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 19:20

    And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing [as] appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1

    ΒΆ And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

  • 1 Samuel 10:10

    And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

  • 1 Samuel 19:23

    And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

  • Numbers 24:5

    How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!

  • Numbers 23:9

    For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

  • Numbers 23:10

    Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth [part] of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
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