They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. Like palm groves that stretch outThe imagery of "palm groves" evokes a sense of beauty, prosperity, and peace. In the ancient Near East, palm trees were symbols of victory and triumph, often associated with oases in the desert, providing shade and sustenance. The Hebrew word for palm, "tamar," suggests uprightness and resilience. The phrase "that stretch out" implies expansiveness and abundance, indicating a flourishing and thriving community. This imagery reflects God's blessing upon Israel, portraying them as a people destined to grow and prosper under His care. like gardens beside a stream
Gardens in biblical times were places of delight and fertility, often enclosed and carefully tended. The mention of "gardens beside a stream" suggests a source of life and continuous nourishment. Streams, or "nahal" in Hebrew, symbolize the sustenance and refreshment that come from God. This phrase highlights the divine provision and the spiritual vitality that God imparts to His people, ensuring their growth and fruitfulness. like aloes the LORD has planted
Aloes, known for their fragrant and healing properties, were highly valued in the ancient world. The phrase "the LORD has planted" emphasizes divine intentionality and care. The Hebrew word for aloes, "ahalim," signifies rarity and preciousness. This imagery suggests that Israel is uniquely chosen and cherished by God, planted by His own hand to fulfill a special purpose. It underscores the idea of being set apart and nurtured by the Creator. like cedars beside the waters
Cedars, particularly the famed cedars of Lebanon, were symbols of strength, durability, and majesty. The phrase "beside the waters" indicates a source of life and stability. In the Hebrew context, "cedars" (erez) were used in the construction of temples and palaces, signifying permanence and grandeur. This imagery conveys the idea of Israel as a strong and enduring nation, deeply rooted and sustained by God's provision. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, promising them security and longevity. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers blessings from God. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak seeks to curse. 4. MoabThe region where Balak rules and where Balaam is brought to curse Israel. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, who controls Balaam's prophecies and turns intended curses into blessings. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BlessingDespite human intentions to curse, God's will prevails, and He turns curses into blessings for His people. Imagery of Abundance and LifeThe imagery of palm groves, gardens, aloes, and cedars signifies prosperity, stability, and divine favor. Trust in God's ProvisionJust as the Israelites were blessed and protected, believers today can trust in God's provision and care. The Power of God's WordBalaam's inability to curse Israel highlights the power and authority of God's word over human plans. Spiritual Growth and FruitfulnessLike trees planted by water, believers are called to be rooted in God's word, growing and bearing fruit in their spiritual lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of gardens and trees in Numbers 24:6 reflect God's blessings on His people? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in our lives, similar to how He turned Balaam's curse into a blessing? 3. How can the imagery of being "planted by the waters" inspire us in our spiritual growth and daily walk with God? 4. What other biblical passages use similar imagery to describe God's blessings, and how do they enhance our understanding of this verse? 5. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's provision and protection in our current life circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 1This Psalm describes the righteous as a tree planted by streams of water, similar to the imagery of gardens and trees in Numbers 24:6. Jeremiah 17:7-8These verses also use the imagery of a tree planted by water to describe those who trust in the LORD, paralleling the blessings and stability depicted in Balaam's prophecy. Genesis 2:8-10The Garden of Eden is described with rivers and lush vegetation, echoing the imagery of gardens beside a river in Balaam's vision. Revelation 22:1-2The vision of the New Jerusalem includes the river of life and the tree of life, connecting to the imagery of life and blessing in Numbers 24:6. People Agag, Amalek, Asher, Ashur, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Eber, Jacob, Kenites, Kittim, Moses, Seir, ShethPlaces Amalek, Asshur, Edom, Egypt, Kain, Kittim, Moab, Peor, SeirTopics Afar, Aloes, Aloe-trees, Beside, Cedar, Cedars, Cedar-trees, Flowering, Forth, Gardens, Lign, Lign-aloes, Planted, River, River's, Riverside, River-side, Spread, Stretch, Stretched, Trees, Valleys, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 24:6 4240 garden, natural Numbers 24:2-9 1421 oracles Numbers 24:5-6 4402 plants Numbers 24:5-7 4468 horticulture Library While Antony was Thus Speaking all Rejoiced; in Some the Love of virtue Increased...
44. While Antony was thus speaking all rejoiced; in some the love of virtue increased, in others carelessness was thrown aside, the self-conceit of others was stopped; and all were persuaded to despise the assaults of the Evil One, and marvelled at the grace given to Antony from the Lord for the discerning of spirits. So their cells were in the mountains, like filled with holy bands of men who sang psalms, loved reading, fasted, prayed, rejoiced in the hope of things to come, laboured in alms-giving, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or AthanasiusThe Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
In the Messianic prophecies contained in Genesis we cannot fail to perceive a remarkable progress in clearness and definiteness. The first Messianic prediction, which was uttered immediately after the fall of Adam, is also the most indefinite. Opposed to the awful threatening there stands the consolatory promise, that the dominion of sin, and of the evil arising from sin, shall not last for ever, but that the seed of the woman shall, at some future time, overthrow their dreaded conqueror. With the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Elucidations.
I. (Princes and kings, [154]p. 13.) How memorable the histories, moreover, of Nebuchadnezzar [1609] and his decrees; of Darius [1610] and his also; but especially of Cyrus and his great monumental edict! [1611] The beautiful narratives of the Queen of Sheba and of the Persian consort of Queen Esther (probably Xerxes) are also manifestations of the ways of Providence in giving light to the heathen world through that "nation of priests" in Israel. But Lactantius, who uses the Sibyls so freely, should …
Lactantius—The divine institutes The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of Hellenist Literature in the Greek Translation of the Bible - Character of the Septuagint.
When we turn from the Jewish dispersion' in the East to that in the West, we seem to breathe quite a different atmosphere. Despite their intense nationalism, all unconsciously to themselves, their mental characteristics and tendencies were in the opposite direction from those of their brethren. With those of the East rested the future of Judaism; with them of the West, in a sense, that of the world. The one represented old Israel, stretching forth its hands to where the dawn of a new day was about …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision.
SO long as we are in the Body, we are apt to be governed wholly by its senses, seldom or never minding any thing but what comes to us through one or other of them. Though we are all able to abstract our Thoughts when we please from matter, and fix them upon things that are purely spiritual; there are but few that ever do it. But few, even among those also that have such things revealed to them by God himself, and so have infinitely more and firmer ground to believe them, than any one, or all their …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob, …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
(Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 57-80. ^c 57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] ; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day [See Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Phil. iii. 5. Male children were named at their circumcision, probably …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, Spring a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 35-51. ^d 35 Again on the morrow [John's direct testimony bore fruit on the second day] John was standing, and two of his disciples [An audience of two. A small field; but a large harvest]; 36 and he looked [Gazed intently. The word is used at Mark xiv. 67; Luke xxii. 61 Mark x. 21, 27. John looked searchingly at that face, which, so far as any record shows, he was never to see on earth again. The more intently we look upon Jesus, the more powerfully …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 24:6 NIVNumbers 24:6 NLTNumbers 24:6 ESVNumbers 24:6 NASBNumbers 24:6 KJV
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