Numbers 24:20

KJV

And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when he looked {H7200} on Amalek {H6002}, he took up {H5375} his parable {H4912}, and said {H559}, Amalek {H6002} was the first {H7225} of the nations {H1471}; but his latter {H319} end shall be that he perish {H8} for ever {H5703}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He saw 'Amalek and made this pronouncement: "First among nations was 'Amalek, but destruction will be its end."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”

American Standard Version

And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; But his latter end shall come to destruction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 24:20 presents the fourth and final oracle of Balaam, shifting his prophetic gaze from the destiny of Israel to the fate of the nations surrounding them. Specifically, this verse pronounces a definitive divine judgment upon Amalek, declaring that despite their historical prominence and initial aggression against Israel, their ultimate end will be complete and permanent destruction. This oracle underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to protect His covenant people, ensuring that those who persistently oppose His purposes will ultimately face His righteous retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the series of four oracles delivered by Balaam, the Mesopotamian diviner, in Numbers chapters 23-24. Hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel, Balaam is repeatedly compelled by God's Spirit to utter blessings and prophecies concerning Israel's future glory and strength. Numbers 24:20 marks a transition from prophecies primarily focused on Israel's blessedness and military might (e.g., [Numbers 24:7-9](/numbers/24-7 "Numbers 24:7-9 - Israel's Strength")) to oracles concerning the destiny of various surrounding nations—Amalek, the Kenites, and the "people of Asshur" (Assyria) and Eber (Hebrews/beyond the river). This shift highlights that God's sovereign plan encompasses not only His chosen people but also extends to the rise and fall of all human kingdoms, demonstrating His ultimate control over history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic, warlike people, descendants of Esau through his grandson Amalek ([Genesis 36:12](/genesis/36-12 "Genesis 36:12 - Amalek's Lineage")). Their historical significance to Israel stems from their unprovoked and cowardly attack on the weary and vulnerable Israelites shortly after the Exodus, specifically targeting the stragglers at the rear of the camp ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack at Rephidim")). This act of malice, committed against a people under divine protection, deeply offended God, leading to a perpetual divine enmity against Amalek and a command for their eventual eradication ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")). Balaam's prophecy, therefore, is not an arbitrary declaration but a pronouncement of a long-standing divine judgment stemming from Amalek's foundational act of hostility.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 24:20 powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating that God is the ultimate arbiter of the fate of nations. Even a nation seemingly strong and historically significant like Amalek is subject to His decree. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Protection**. God's judgment on Amalek reaffirms His commitment to defend and preserve His covenant people, Israel, against their adversaries. Their unprovoked attack against a people under divine care was an affront to God Himself. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **Consequences of Persistent Opposition to God's Purposes**. Amalek's "first" act of aggression set a precedent for their ongoing antagonism, culminating in this irreversible prophecy of their demise. This serves as a stark warning that defiance against God's will and His chosen instruments will ultimately lead to ruin, a principle echoed throughout biblical history (e.g., the fate of Babylon in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parable (Hebrew, _mashal'_):** The KJV translates this as "parable," but the Hebrew term מָשָׁל (_mashal_) is broader, encompassing a proverb, an oracle, a similitude, or a weighty prophetic utterance. In this context, it signifies a profound, divinely inspired prophetic declaration, often characterized by poetic or figurative language, that reveals a deep truth or a future event. Balaam's "parable" here is a solemn, authoritative pronouncement of divine will, not a simple story.
* **First of the nations (Hebrew, _re'shit goyim'_):** This phrase, רֵאשִׁית גּוֹיִם (_re'shit goyim_), does not necessarily imply chronological precedence in terms of creation or origin. Instead, it likely refers to Amalek's preeminence or priority in their malicious acts against Israel. They were the first nation to launch an unprovoked and vicious attack on Israel after the Exodus, an act of such profound wickedness that it earned them a unique and lasting divine condemnation. It signifies their initial and foundational role as an adversary to God's people.
* **Perish for ever (Hebrew, _avad adei ad'_):** The Hebrew phrase אָבַד עֲדֵי עַד (_avad adei ad_) conveys a sense of complete and utter annihilation, a permanent cessation of existence as a distinct entity. It emphasizes the finality and irreversibility of Amalek's doom. This is not merely a defeat but an enduring obliteration, signifying that their threat and identity as a nation would be entirely removed from history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said":** This clause highlights Balaam's shift in prophetic focus. After blessing Israel, his gaze is divinely directed towards Amalek. The phrase "took up his parable" signifies the divine inspiration and compulsion behind his utterance; it is not his own intention or desire but a forced declaration of God's word.
* **"Amalek [was] the first of the nations;":** This identifies Amalek's historical significance in their relationship with Israel. As discussed in the key word analysis, "first" refers to their initial and foundational act of hostility against the nascent nation of Israel, setting the stage for God's enduring enmity towards them. It underscores the gravity of their original sin against God's chosen people.
* **"but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.":** This is the core pronouncement of judgment. It contrasts Amalek's initial prominence ("first of the nations") with their ultimate, irreversible destiny. The phrase "perish for ever" emphasizes the complete and permanent destruction of Amalek as a distinct national entity, signifying the end of their threat and identity in the annals of history. This is a definitive and unalterable divine decree.

#### Literary Devices
The oracle concerning Amalek in Numbers 24:20 employs several potent literary devices. **Prophecy** is the overarching device, as Balaam delivers a divinely inspired foretelling of Amalek's future. There is a strong element of **Irony**, given that Balaam, hired to curse Israel, is instead compelled by God to pronounce curses upon Israel's enemies. This highlights God's absolute control over even the most resistant human agents. The phrase "perish for ever" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality and permanence of Amalek's destruction, though in this case, it is a hyperbole that finds historical fulfillment in their complete disappearance as a distinct people. Finally, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between Amalek's initial status as "the first of the nations" (in terms of aggression) and their ultimate, complete annihilation, underscoring the dramatic reversal of their fortunes under divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 24:20 powerfully illustrates the righteous judgment of God against those who set themselves in persistent opposition to His people and His divine purposes. Amalek's fate serves as a stark reminder that while human kingdoms may rise and fall, and even seem formidable in their opposition, they are ultimately subject to God's sovereign decree. God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel is demonstrated through His unwavering commitment to deal with their adversaries. This oracle assures believers that God is actively involved in history, orchestrating events to fulfill His redemptive plan, and that His justice will ultimately prevail against all forms of evil and rebellion. It underscores the principle that those who touch God's anointed people touch the apple of His eye, incurring His righteous wrath.

* [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance")
* [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - Saul's Command Against Amalek")
* [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Simeonites Destroy Amalekites")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient prophecy, while specific to Amalek, carries profound and timeless spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of justice, and while His patience is vast, His judgment is certain for those who persistently oppose His will and His people. We are called to discern the "Amalekites" in our own spiritual lives—the persistent sins, the rebellious attitudes, or the spiritual forces that seek to hinder our walk with God or undermine the church. Just as Amalek represented an unprovoked and insidious attack on God's people, so too do certain spiritual strongholds or patterns of sin seek to wear down and defeat us. This verse offers assurance that God, who is faithful to His covenant, will ultimately bring about the defeat of all that stands against His kingdom. Our call is to align ourselves with God's purposes, to trust in His ultimate victory, and to participate in His work of dismantling spiritual opposition through prayer, obedience, and reliance on His power. We are to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord, and His "latter end" for all that opposes Him is total and eternal defeat.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Amalekites" (persistent sins, negative patterns, or spiritual opposition) do I recognize in my own life or in the church today that need to be confronted and overcome by God's power?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment against His adversaries strengthen my faith and trust in His ultimate victory?**
* **In what ways am I called to participate in God's ongoing work of overcoming evil, not through physical warfare, but through spiritual disciplines and faithful living?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to stand firm in my faith, knowing that God protects His people and ensures the defeat of all that opposes His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why was Amalek singled out as "the first of the nations" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The phrase "first of the nations" (Hebrew: _re'shit goyim_) does not imply that Amalek was chronologically the first nation to exist. Instead, it refers to their preeminent position as the first nation to launch an unprovoked and particularly malicious attack on Israel after their exodus from Egypt. As recorded in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack at Rephidim"), the Amalekites ambushed the weary and vulnerable Israelites, specifically targeting the stragglers at the rear. This act of cowardice and cruelty, committed against a people under God's direct protection, deeply offended God and marked Amalek as a foundational enemy. Their "firstness" signifies the severity and foundational nature of their hostility, which set them apart for a unique and lasting divine condemnation.

**How was the prophecy of Amalek's perishing "for ever" fulfilled in history?**

Answer: The prophecy of Amalek's complete destruction was fulfilled progressively throughout Israelite history, culminating in their disappearance as a distinct national entity. God commanded Israel to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek" ([Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance")). King Saul was given the divine mandate to utterly destroy them but failed to fully obey ([1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - Saul's Disobedience Regarding Amalek")). Later, King David inflicted significant defeats upon them ([1 Samuel 30:17](/1_samuel/30-17 "1 Samuel 30:17 - David's Victory Over Amalek")). The final blow, leading to their complete disappearance from historical records as a distinct people, is recorded in [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Simeonites Destroy Amalekites"), where a remnant of the Simeonites, during the reign of King Hezekiah, utterly destroyed the last of the Amalekites. Thus, their "latter end" was indeed to "perish for ever," fulfilling Balaam's prophetic word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophecy of Amalek's ultimate destruction, declared by Balaam, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Amalek, as the archetypal enemy who attacked God's people at their most vulnerable, represents the forces of sin, death, and spiritual opposition that constantly seek to undermine God's kingdom and His people. Just as Amalek was destined to "perish for ever," so too are all the powers of darkness and every spiritual adversary ultimately vanquished by Christ. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus disarmed and triumphed over every hostile spiritual force ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and in doing so, He has conquered the ultimate "Amalekite"—death itself, which is the last enemy to be destroyed ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Death, the Last Enemy")). The finality of Amalek's judgment foreshadows the definitive and eternal judgment pronounced upon all evil at Christ's second coming, when every enemy will be cast into the lake of fire ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Final Judgment of the Devil")). Thus, Balaam's oracle points beyond a historical defeat to the glorious and complete victory of Christ, ensuring that all who oppose God's eternal kingdom will indeed "perish for ever," and His reign will endure eternally.

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

Exodus 17:14

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this [for] a memorial in a book, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Esther 7:9

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

Esther 7:10

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

1 Chronicles 4:43

And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

Exodus 17:8

¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

1 Samuel 30:1

¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

1 Samuel 27:8

¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.