Numbers 24:9

Protection and safety Covenant and promises

⁷ Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.

⁸ God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.

He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.”
ASV: He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.
DARBY: He stooped, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness: who will stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
BLB: He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? He who blesses you is blessed and he who curses you is cursed.”

ÅB: Han legger seg, han hviler som en løve, som en løvinne; hvem våger å vekke ham? Velsignet være den som velsigner deg, og forbannet den som forbanner deg!
OTB: Han kryper sammen, han legger seg ned som en løve, og som en løvinne—hvem våger å vekke ham? Velsignet er de som velsigner deg, og forbannet er de som forbanner deg."
B1930: Han legger sig, han hviler som en løve, som en løvinne; hvem våger å vekke ham? Velsignet være den som velsigner dig, og forbannet den som forbanner dig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Read in context
Genesis 27:29
May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
Read in context
Genesis 49:9
Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
Read in context
Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”
Read in context
Matthew 25:45
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
Read in context
Job 38:39–40
Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions
Read in context
Matthew 25:40
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Read in context
Acts 9:5
“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.
Read in context