Numbers 24:17

Jesus Christ Prophecy The return of Christ

¹⁵ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

¹⁶ He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

¹⁸ And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

¹⁹ Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

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: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
KJV: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
WEB: I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.
ASV: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: There shall come forth a star out of Jacob, And a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of tumult.
DARBY: I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh: There cometh a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and he shall cut in pieces the corners of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.
BLB: I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab and destroy all the sons of tumult.

ÅB: Jeg ser ham, men ikke nå, jeg skuer ham, men ikke nær; en stjerne stiger opp av Jakob, et spir løfter seg fra Israel; han knuser Moabs tinninger og utrydder ufreds-slekten.
OTB: Jeg ser ham, men ikke nå; jeg skuer ham, men ikke nær; en stjerne skal komme ut av Jakob, en septer skal reise seg ut av Israel, og skal knuse Moabs panner, og ødelegge alle Sets sønner.
B1930: Jeg ser ham, men ikke nu, jeg skuer ham, men ikke nær; en stjerne stiger op av Jakob, et spir løfter sig fra Israel; han knuser Moabs tinninger og utrydder ufreds-ætten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Revelation 22:16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Read in context
Luke 1:32–33
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Read in context
Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Read in context
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Read in context
Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Read in context
Zechariah 10:4
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
Read in context
Matthew 2:2–9
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Read in context
Psalms 45:6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Read in context