Numbers 24:10

⁸ God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

⁹ He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.

¹¹ Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

¹² And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

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: Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
KJV: And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
WEB: Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
ASV: And Balak`s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
DARBY: Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times!
BLB: And the anger of Balak was kindled against Balaam, and he struck together his hands. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have surely blessed [them] these three times.

ÅB: Da ble Balaks vrede tent opp mot Bileam, og han slo hendene sine sammen. Og Balak sa til Bileam: Jeg kalte deg hit for å forbanne mine fiender, og nå har du velsignet tre ganger.
OTB: Da brant Balaks vrede mot Bileam, og han slo hendene sammen og sa til Bileam: "Jeg kalte deg for å forbanne mine fiender, men du har velsignet dem disse tre gangene!
B1930: Da optendtes Balaks vrede mot Bileam, og han slo sine hender sammen. Og Balak sa til Bileam: Jeg kalte dig hit for å forbanne mine fiender, og nu har du velsignet tre ganger.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ezekiel 21:14
Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
Read in context
Numbers 23:11
And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:17
I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
Read in context
Ezekiel 22:13
Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
Read in context
Nehemiah 13:2
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
Read in context
Job 27:23
Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
Read in context
Joshua 24:9–10
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
Read in context
Numbers 22:11
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
Read in context