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16 The oracle of he
    who has heard the words of God,
    who has knowledge of the Most High,
    who sees the vision of the Almighty,
    who falls down with his eyes open:
17     [a]I see him, but not now.
    I behold him, but not near.
A star comes forth from Jacob,
    and a scepter rises out of Israel.
He will crush the brow of Moab,
    he will destroy the children of Seth.
18 Edom[b] will become a possession,
    and Seir also will become a possession of its enemies,
    but Israel will grow strong.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 24:17 This star, the sign of a hero sent by God, heralds King David, in keeping with the ancient promises made to Judah (Gen 49:10); this hero was expected to make subjects of the peoples who were Israel’s neighbors. But behind this conqueror can be seen the glorious Messiah, Jesus Son of David (Mt 2:2; Rev 22:16).
  2. Numbers 24:18 Edom: in the Negeb, the desert in southern Palestine.

16 the prophecy of one who hears the words(A) of God,
    who has knowledge from the Most High,(B)
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
    who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

17 “I see him, but not now;
    I behold him, but not near.(C)
A star will come out of Jacob;(D)
    a scepter will rise out of Israel.(E)
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,(F)
    the skulls[a](G) of[b] all the people of Sheth.[c]
18 Edom(H) will be conquered;
    Seir,(I) his enemy, will be conquered,(J)
    but Israel(K) will grow strong.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 24:17 Samaritan Pentateuch (see also Jer. 48:45); the meaning of the word in the Masoretic Text is uncertain.
  2. Numbers 24:17 Or possibly Moab, / batter
  3. Numbers 24:17 Or all the noisy boasters