Numbers 24:23

KJV

And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took up {H5375} his parable {H4912}, and said {H559}, Alas {H188}, who shall live {H2421} when God {H410} doeth {H7760} this!

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally, he made this pronouncement: "Oh no! Who can live when God does this?

Berean Standard Bible

Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?

American Standard Version

And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 24:23 encapsulates a profound and chilling lament from Balaam, the divinely constrained prophet, as he delivers his fourth and final oracle concerning Israel. Despite being summoned by Balak to curse God's people, Balaam is compelled by the Spirit of God to utter blessings and then to prophesy about a future era of overwhelming divine action and judgment. This particular verse serves as a rhetorical question, expressing awe, dread, and a sense of human helplessness in the face of God's unstoppable and decisive intervention in history, foreshadowing a period of ultimate reckoning for those who oppose His sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the climax of Balaam's unwilling prophetic utterances, detailed in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - Balaam's Oracles"). Following three failed attempts to curse Israel, each divinely transformed into a blessing, Balaam delivers a final, unsolicited "parable" (Hebrew: _mashal_). Unlike the preceding oracles, which primarily focused on Israel's present blessedness and future prosperity, this fourth oracle dramatically shifts its focus. It commences with a powerful messianic prophecy of a "Star out of Jacob" and a "Scepter out of Israel" ([Numbers 24:17](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17 - The Star and Scepter Prophecy")), foretelling the subjugation of Moab and Edom. The prophecy then expands to encompass the fate of other nations—Amalek, the Kenites, and Asshur—culminating in this poignant lament in verse 23, which anticipates a time of universal divine judgment and upheaval. This final oracle powerfully underscores God's absolute control over even the most resistant of human agents, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described unfold on the plains of Moab, situated east of the Jordan River, as the Israelite nation stands poised to enter the Promised Land. Balak, the king of Moab, is consumed by fear due to the immense Israelite encampment ([Numbers 22:3](/numbers/22-3 "Numbers 22:3 - Moab's Fear of Israel")). In the ancient Near East, it was a widespread practice for kings to employ seers or diviners to invoke curses upon their adversaries or blessings upon their own armies, believing these pronouncements possessed supernatural efficacy. Balaam, a renowned diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates ([Numbers 22:5](/numbers/22-5 "Numbers 22:5 - Balaam's Origin")), was sought for this precise purpose. However, the narrative profoundly highlights a crucial theological truth: Yahweh, the God of Israel, exercises supreme sovereignty over all nations and even over the pagan prophet Balaam himself. God's direct intervention in Balaam's speech, compelling him first to bless Israel and then to prophesy judgment against Israel's enemies and other nations, powerfully demonstrates His unique power and control over history, transcending and subverting typical pagan magical beliefs and practices.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme permeating Balaam's oracles, culminating in this verse, is **Divine Sovereignty and Irresistible Will**. Balaam's repeated inability to curse Israel and his divine compulsion to bless them, followed by his pronouncements of future judgment, powerfully illustrate that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human or demonic opposition. This verse specifically introduces and amplifies the theme of **Eschatological Judgment**, hinting at a future, decisive divine intervention that will bring about a comprehensive reckoning for the wicked. It also starkly highlights **Human Helplessness** in the face of God's ultimate power; Balaam's rhetorical question, "Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!", underscores the profound fragility of humanity, especially those who stand in opposition to God, when His righteous judgment is unleashed. This lament foreshadows later prophetic warnings about the "Day of the Lord," a time characterized by both profound judgment and ultimate salvation, as seen in passages like [Joel 2:31](/joel/2-31 "Joel 2:31 - The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Alas (Hebrew, _ʼôwy'_):** Derived from a root suggesting a cry, this interjection denotes lamentation, woe, or despair. It frequently introduces a prophetic warning or judgment, expressing profound sorrow over an impending catastrophe or the dire state of the wicked. Balaam's use of _ʼôwy_ here conveys a chilling sense of dread and a mournful recognition of the devastating impact of the divine action he foresees. It is a cry of terror at the overwhelming and inescapable power of God's impending judgment.
* **Live (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to live," "to survive," "to be alive," or "to be restored to life," encompassing both literal and figurative senses. In the context of impending divine judgment, the question "who shall live?" transcends mere physical survival. It probes the ability to endure God's wrath and remain in His favor. It implies that the divine action will be so cataclysmic that very few, if any, will be able to stand or survive in the face of it, especially those who are not aligned with God's purposes.
* **Parable (Hebrew, _mâshâl'_):** While commonly translated as "proverb" or "riddle," in prophetic contexts such as this, _mâshâl_ refers to a weighty, profound, or enigmatic utterance; an oracle or a divinely inspired discourse. It implies a deep, significant truth being conveyed, often with a poetic or symbolic nature, carrying inherent divine authority. Balaam's "parable" here is not a simple saying but a divinely compelled prophetic pronouncement of immense eschatological significance, revealing God's future actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took up his parable":** This phrase signifies Balaam's solemn initiation of a divinely inspired prophetic utterance. It indicates a formal, weighty pronouncement, distinguishing it from casual speech. Despite his initial reluctance and Balak's persistent pressure, Balaam is once again compelled by the Spirit of God to speak forth a profound truth, highlighting God's absolute control over his words and the message he delivers.
* **"and said, Alas, who shall live":** Balaam's utterance commences with a lament or cry of woe ("Alas" or "Woe!"), immediately establishing a tone of solemnity and impending doom. The rhetorical question, "who shall live?", expresses a deep sense of despair and the utter impossibility of human endurance or survival when confronted with the full, unmitigated force of God's judgment. It is a question that anticipates the answer: "No one" or "Very few," underscoring the severity of the coming divine action.
* **"when God doeth this!":** The demonstrative "this" refers to the specific, overwhelming divine action and judgment that Balaam has just prophesied and is about to further describe. It encompasses the crushing of nations, the rise of the "Star out of Jacob," and the ultimate manifestation of God's power in history. The exclamation mark, as rendered in the KJV, aptly captures the profound awe, terror, and certainty Balaam feels regarding the unstoppable and devastating nature of God's future interventions.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 24:23 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and sobering message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!" This question is not posed to elicit an answer but to emphasize the utter impossibility of survival or endurance for those who stand against God's ultimate action. It starkly highlights human fragility and the overwhelming, irresistible nature of divine power. The use of "Alas" (or "Woe!") marks this as a **Lament** or **Woe Oracle**, a common prophetic form used to express sorrow over impending judgment or the dire state of those destined for destruction. Furthermore, the entire utterance is an act of **Prophecy** and **Foreshadowing**, pointing to a future time of divine intervention and judgment that extends beyond the immediate historical context to an ultimate, eschatological reckoning. There is also a strong element of **Irony** woven throughout Balaam's narrative, as the prophet hired to curse God's people is repeatedly forced by God to bless them and, ultimately, to pronounce judgment upon those who oppose God's sovereign will, including nations allied with Balak.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 24:23 serves as a stark and sobering reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and the inevitable nature of His righteous judgment. Balaam, a pagan prophet, is compelled by divine power to acknowledge the terrifying reality that when God acts decisively in history, no one can withstand Him. This verse underscores the profound theological truth that all human power, earthly kingdoms, and defiant resistance are ultimately futile against the divine will. It points to a universal reckoning where only those aligned with God's purposes will find true life and enduring security. The "this" that God "doeth" is His unfolding, sovereign plan of redemption and judgment, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This divine action, while a source of profound dread for the wicked, is simultaneously the wellspring of ultimate hope and salvation for the righteous.

* [Psalm 76:7](/psalms/76-7 "Psalm 76:7 - Who Can Stand Before You?")
* [Nahum 1:6](/nahum/1-6 "Nahum 1:6 - Who Can Stand Before His Indignation?")
* [Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Revelation 6:15-17 - The Kings of the Earth Cry Out in Fear")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Balaam's desperate cry, "Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!", resonates across millennia as a profound call to humility, reverence, and urgent repentance. It compels us to confront the undeniable reality of God's immense power and the certainty of His future judgment. In a world often characterized by human arrogance, self-sufficiency, and a dismissive attitude towards divine authority, this verse serves as a potent reminder that there will come a day when all human endeavors, defiance, and perceived strength will crumble before the unstoppable will of the Almighty. It forces us to deeply consider our own standing before God: are we living in alignment with His revealed purposes, or are we, like the nations Balaam describes, setting ourselves in opposition to Him? True wisdom and eternal security lie in reverencing God's sovereignty, seeking His mercy, and submitting to His will, for only in Him can we find genuine life and enduring hope in the face of His ultimate, decisive actions. This verse is not merely a historical prophecy but a timeless warning and a profound invitation to prepare our hearts for the day when God "doeth this."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Balaam's lament reveal about the unchallengeable nature of God's power and sovereignty?**
* **How does the rhetorical question "who shall live?" challenge our contemporary understanding of human strength, autonomy, and self-reliance?**
* **In what practical ways should the certainty of God's future, decisive actions influence our daily lives, priorities, and choices today?**
* **For whom is God's "doing this" a cause for profound dread and terror, and for whom is it a source of ultimate hope and anticipation?**

### FAQ
**What is the "this" that God "doeth" in Numbers 24:23?**

Answer: The "this" that God "doeth" refers to the comprehensive and decisive divine actions outlined in Balaam's final oracle, particularly the ultimate manifestation of God's power in history through His chosen people and, preeminently, through the Messiah. Specifically, it encompasses the rise of the "Star out of Jacob" and the "Scepter out of Israel" ([Numbers 24:17](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17 - The Star and Scepter Prophecy")), which will crush Israel's enemies like Moab and Edom. More broadly, it points to a future, eschatological time of universal judgment where God will decisively intervene to establish His righteous rule and bring about a reckoning for all nations that oppose Him. This "doing" is not a singular event but a sweeping, unfolding of God's sovereign plan, culminating in the final judgment and the full establishment of His eternal kingdom. It is the unstoppable execution of His divine will, against which no human or earthly power can stand.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 24:23, with its chilling question "Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!", finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "Star out of Jacob" and "Scepter out of Israel" prophesied just verses earlier ([Numbers 24:17](/numbers/24-17 "Numbers 24:17 - The Star and Scepter Prophecy")) is unequivocally understood in Christian theology as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus, the true King, Deliverer, and Light of the world. When God "doeth this," He is ultimately bringing about His grand redemptive and judicial plan through His Son. The first coming of Christ initiated this "doing," as He came to "destroy the works of the devil" ([1_john/3-8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")) and establish His spiritual kingdom. Yet, the full weight of Balaam's question truly resonates with Christ's glorious second coming, when He will return "with power and great glory" ([matthew/24-30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Son of Man Comes in Glory")) to judge the living and the dead. On that "great and terrible day," the question "who shall live?" will be answered: only those who have put their faith in the Lamb of God, whose sins have been washed away by His atoning blood ([revelation/7-14](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Washed in the Blood of the Lamb")). For the unrepentant, it will be a day of terror, a stark fulfillment of Balaam's lament; but for those who are in Christ, it will be the glorious culmination of their salvation, where they will truly "live" in His eternal presence and joy ([john/11-25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

Numbers 23:23

Surely [there is] no enchantment against Jacob, neither [is there] any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

2 Kings 5:1

¶ Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, [but he was] a leper.