Numbers 24:16
New International Version
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

New Living Translation
the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

English Standard Version
the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:

Berean Standard Bible
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
The utterance of him who hears the words of God, And has the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

New American Standard Bible
The declaration of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered:

NASB 1995
The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.

NASB 1977
The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.

Legacy Standard Bible
The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who beholds the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes opened.

Amplified Bible
The oracle of him who hears the words of God And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered:

Christian Standard Bible
the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:

American Standard Version
He saith, who heareth the words of God, And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:

Contemporary English Version
My knowledge comes from God Most High, the LORD All-Powerful. I bowed down to him and saw a vision of Israel.

English Revised Version
He saith, which heareth the words of God, And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, Which seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the message of the one who hears the words of God, receives knowledge from the Most High, has a vision from the Almighty, and falls [into a trance] with his eyes open:

Good News Translation
Who can hear what God is saying And receive the knowledge that comes from the Most High. With staring eyes I see in a trance A vision from Almighty God.

International Standard Version
A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who knows what the Most High knows, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes.

Majority Standard Bible
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

NET Bible
the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open:

New Heart English Bible
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of Shaddai, falling down, and having his eyes open:

Webster's Bible Translation
He hath said, who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

World English Bible
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God, "" And knowing knowledge of the Most High; He sees a vision of the Almighty, "" Falling—and eyes uncovered:

Young's Literal Translation
An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God -- And knowing knowledge of the Most High; A vision of the Almighty he seeth, Falling -- and eyes uncovered:

Smith's Literal Translation
He said, hearing the sayings of God, honoring the knowledge of the Most High, he will see the vision of the Almighty, falling, and the eyes being uncovered:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The hearer of the words of God hath said, who knoweth the doctrine of the Highest, and seeth the visions of the Almighty, who falling hath his eyes opened:

Catholic Public Domain Version
the hearer of the sermon of God, he who knows the doctrine of the Most High, and who sees the visions of the Almighty, who, falling down, has his eyes opened, has declared:

New American Bible
The oracle of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, in rapture and with eyes unveiled.

New Revised Standard Version
the oracle of one who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, but with his eyes uncovered:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He has said, who heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of God, falling into a trance but having his eyes open;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He said, hearing the speech of God and knowing the mind of the Highest, and he saw the appearance of God, when raising and opening his eyes:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The saying of him who heareth the words of God, And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Fallen down, yet with opened eyes:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
hearing the oracles of God, receiving knowledge from the Most High, and having seen a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Fourth Oracle
15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, 16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: 17I 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.…

Cross References
2 Peter 1:21
For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Revelation 1:1
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

1 Corinthians 2:10-12
But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. / We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Daniel 2:22
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Ephesians 3:3-5
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. / In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, / which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

Isaiah 44:26
who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Genesis 41:16
“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”

1 Samuel 9:9
(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

Acts 3:18
But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer.

Isaiah 48:16
Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit.

Jeremiah 23:18
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?


Treasury of Scripture

He has 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.

Job 19:25-27
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: …

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Jude 1:11,14,15
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core…

a star

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…

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

2 Peter 1:19
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

a sceptre

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.

Psalm 45:6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: …

1 Samuel 14:38
And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

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.

Moab

2 Samuel 8:2
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

2 Kings 3:5,26,27
But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel…

1 Chronicles 18:2
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

all the children

Genesis 4:25,26
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew…

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Numbers 24
1. Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel
10. Balak, in anger, dismisses him
15. He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations














The oracle of one who hears the words of God
This phrase introduces the speaker as a true prophet, one who is attuned to divine communication. The Hebrew word for "oracle" is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can also mean a burden or a message. This suggests that the words spoken are not merely human insights but carry the weight and authority of divine revelation. In the context of Numbers, Balaam, despite his initial intentions, becomes a vessel for God's message, illustrating that true prophecy is not self-generated but received from God. This highlights the importance of being receptive to God's voice, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, where the faithful are encouraged to listen and obey God's word.

who has knowledge from the Most High
The phrase "knowledge from the Most High" underscores the source of true wisdom and understanding. The term "Most High" is translated from the Hebrew "עֶלְיוֹן" (Elyon), a title for God that emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. This title is used throughout the Old Testament to denote God's exalted status above all other gods and powers. The knowledge referred to here is not mere intellectual understanding but a deep, spiritual insight granted by God Himself. It is a reminder that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and that any genuine understanding of the divine must be revealed by God.

who sees a vision from the Almighty
The word "vision" in Hebrew is "חָזוֹן" (chazon), which implies a divine revelation or insight that is often visual in nature. The term "Almighty" is translated from "שַׁדַּי" (Shaddai), another name for God that conveys His power and might. This phrase indicates that the speaker has been granted a supernatural glimpse into God's plans and purposes. In the biblical narrative, visions are often used by God to communicate His will to His prophets, providing guidance, warning, or encouragement. This highlights the role of the prophet as one who is given special insight into the divine realm, tasked with conveying God's message to His people.

who falls prostrate
The act of falling prostrate is a physical expression of reverence, submission, and worship. In Hebrew, the word "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall or to be cast down. This posture is often associated with encountering the divine presence, as seen in various biblical accounts where individuals fall to the ground in awe and humility before God (e.g., Ezekiel 1:28, Revelation 1:17). It signifies the prophet's acknowledgment of God's holiness and authority, as well as his own unworthiness. This act of worship is a powerful reminder of the appropriate response to God's revelation—humility and reverence.

with eyes wide open
The phrase "eyes wide open" suggests a state of heightened awareness and clarity. In Hebrew, the word "גָּלוּי" (galui) means uncovered or revealed. This implies that the prophet's spiritual eyes have been opened to perceive the truth of God's message. It contrasts with spiritual blindness, a condition often attributed to those who reject or are ignorant of God's revelation. The open eyes of the prophet symbolize a readiness to receive and understand God's will, emphasizing the importance of spiritual perception in discerning divine truth. This serves as an encouragement for believers to seek spiritual insight and understanding through prayer and study of the Scriptures.

(16) Which heard . . . and knew.--Better, which heareth . . . and knoweth.

Which saw.--Better, he seeth.

Verse 16. - Knew the knowledge of the Most High. Septuagint, ἐπιστάμενος ἐπιστήμην παρὰ Υψίστου. This expression alone distinguishes this introduction of Balaam's mashal from the former one (verses 3, 4), but it is difficult to say that it really adds anything to our understanding of his mental state. If we ask when Balaam had received the revelation which he now proceeds to communicate, it would seem most natural to reply that it was made known to him when "the Spirit of God came upon him," and that Balak's anger had interrupted him in the midst of his mashal, or possibly he had kept it back, as too distasteful to his patron, until he saw that he had nothing more to expect from that quarter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the prophecy
נְאֻ֗ם (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

of one who hears
שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the words
אִמְרֵי־ (’im·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 561: Something said

of God,
אֵ֔ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

who has knowledge
וְיֹדֵ֖עַ (wə·yō·ḏê·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3045: To know

from the Most High,
עֶלְי֑וֹן (‘el·yō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme

who sees
יֶֽחֱזֶ֔ה (ye·ḥĕ·zeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2372: To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of

a vision
מַחֲזֵ֤ה (ma·ḥă·zêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4236: A vision

from the Almighty,
שַׁדַּי֙ (šad·day)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7706: The Almighty

who bows down
נֹפֵ֖ל (nō·p̄êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

with eyes
עֵינָֽיִם׃ (‘ê·nā·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

wide open:
וּגְל֥וּי (ū·ḡə·lui)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal


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OT Law: Numbers 24:16 He says who hears the words (Nu Num.)
Numbers 24:15
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