Numbers 24:3
and he lifted up an oracle, saying:
What it says
Balaam begins to speak his oracle. The formal declaration sets apart what follows as solemn prophecy.
What it is doing
It opens the prophetic speech.
In context
1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, 3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: 4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, 5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, 6They spread out like palm groves, 7Water will flow from his buckets, 8God brought him out of Egypt 9He crouches, he lies down like a lion,