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Numbers 23:10

Israel
Death and loss

8 How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?

9 For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.

Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”

12 But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”
KJV
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!
WEB
Who can count the dust of Jacob, or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous! Let my last end be like his!”
ASV
Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!
DARBY
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let my soul die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!
BLB
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and number a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!”
ÅB
Hvem teller Jakobs slekt, tall-løs som støvet, eller endog bare fjerdedelen av Israel? Min sjel dø de oppriktiges død, og mitt endelikt vorde som deres!
OTB
Hvem kan telle Jakobs støv, eller telle selv en fjerdepart av Israel? La meg dø de rettferdiges død, og la min ende bli som deres!»
B1930
Hvem teller Jakobs ætt, tall-løs som støvet, eller endog bare fjerdedelen av Israel? Min sjel dø de opriktiges død, og mitt endelikt vorde som deres!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 13:16

    I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 37:37

    Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 116:15

    Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 14:13

    And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

    Read in context

  • 2 Timothy 4:6–8

    For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 22:17

    I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 57:1–2

    The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil.

    Read in context