Numbers 24:15-19·~1 min
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle
Balaam introduces another oracle and again claims sight given by God. He then speaks of a figure still far off, a star and scepter rising from Jacob to strike Moab.
T15hen Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, 16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, 17I see him, but not now;
The oracle names Edom and Seir as possessions and pictures a ruler from Jacob exercising dominion and destroying what remains of the city. The vision turns from emergence to conquest.
18Edom will become a possession, 19A ruler will come from Jacob
Section summaryBalaam speaks again as one who has heard God and seen what is still distant. He foresees a coming ruler from Jacob who will strike Moab, possess Edom and Seir, and exercise dominion with decisive force.
Role in the chapterThis section widens the horizon from Israel’s present blessedness to its future rule. It gives the Balaam narrative its farthest-reaching promise by attaching Israel’s destiny to a coming king from Jacob.