The Star Out of Jacob
Numbers 24
Seeing that it pleases the Lord to bless Israel, Balaam turns toward the encamped tribes and, moved by the Spirit of God, speaks further oracles praising Israel and foretelling a ruler who will rise from Jacob and crush the princes of Moab. He then pronounces oracles concerning Amalek, the Kenite, and other nations before returning to his own place.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBALAAM, seeing that it was good in the sight of the Lord to bless Israel, did not go, as was customary with him, to look for omens; but turned his face towards the wilderness.
BrentonAnd when Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he did not go according to his custom to meet the omens, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν Βαλαὰμ ὅτι καλόν ἐστιν ἐναντίον Κυρίου εὐλογεῖν τὸν Ἰσραὴλ, οὐκ ἐπορεύθη κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς αὐτῷ εἰς συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς, καὶ ἀπέστρεψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον.
KJVAnd when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
JPSAnd when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2
ThomsonAnd when Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped by tribes, a spirit of God came upon him,
BrentonAnd Balaam lifted up his eyes, and sees Israel encamped by their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξάρας Βαλαὰμ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καθορᾷ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐστρατοπεδευκότα κατὰ φυλάς· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐπʼ αὐτῷ πνεῦμα Θεου.
KJVAnd Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
JPSAnd Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him.
3
Thomsonand he took up his parable, and said, Balaam son of Beor saith— The man who seeth according to truth saith—
BrentonAnd he took up his parable and said, Balaam son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says,
GreekΚαὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπε, φησὶ Βαλαὰμ υἱοῖς Βεὼρ, φησὶν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν,
KJVAnd he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
JPSAnd he took up his parable, and said: The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, And the saying of the man whose eye is opened;
4
ThomsonIt is the saying of him, who hath heard the oracles of the Almighty— Who in sleep hath seen a vision of God—whose eyes were opened.
Brentonhe says who hears the oracle of the Mighty One, who saw a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened:
Greekφησὶν ἀκούων λόγια ἰσχυροῦ, ὅστις ὅρασιν Θεοῦ εἶδεν ἐν ὕπνῳ· ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
JPSThe saying of him who heareth the words of God, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Fallen down, yet with opened eyes:
5
ThomsonHow beautiful are thy houses, Jacob! Thy tents, O Israel!
BrentonHow goodly are thy habitations, Jacob, and thy tents, Israel!
GreekὩς καλοὶ οἱ οἶκοί σου Ἰακὼβ, αἱ σκηναί σου Ἰσραήλ·
KJVHow goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
JPSHow goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy dwellings, O Israel!
6
ThomsonLike shady forests, and like gardens by a river! And like tents which the Lord hath pitched! And like cedars by streams of water.
Brentonas shady groves, and as gardens by a river, and as tents which God pitched, and as cedars by the waters.
GreekὩσεὶ νάπαι σκιάζουσαι, καὶ ὡσεὶ παράδεισοι ἐπὶ ποταμῷ, καὶ ὡσεὶ, σκηναὶ, ἃς ἔπηξε Κύριος, καί ὡσεὶ κέδροι παρʼ ὕδατα.
KJVAs the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
JPSAs valleys stretched out, As gardens by the river-side; As aloes planted of the LORD, As cedars beside the waters;
7
ThomsonThere shall come forth a man from his seed, And he shall rule over many nations: And a kingdom greater than Gog’s shall be raised up; And his kingdom shall be enlarged
BrentonThere shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased.
GreekἘξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ κυριεύσει ἐθνῶν πολλῶν· καὶ ὑψωθήσεται ἡ Γὼγ βασιλεία, καὶ αὐξηθήσεται βασιλεία αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
JPSWater shall flow from his branches, And his seed shall be in many waters; And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.
8
ThomsonGod hath led him out of Egypt, His glory is like that of the unicorn; He will eat up the nations of his enemies; And he will exhaust their fatness, And pierce his enemy with his darts.
BrentonGod led him out of Egypt; he has as it were the glory of a unicorn: he shall consume the nations of his enemies, and he shall drain their marrow, and with his darts he shall shoot through the enemy.
GreekΘεὸς ὡδήγησεν αὐτὸν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου· ὡς δόξα μονοκέρωτος αὐτῷ· ἔδεται ἔθνη ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ πάχη αὐτῶν ἐκμυελιεῖ, καὶ ταῖς βολίσιν αὐτοῦ κατατοξεύσει ἐχθρόν.
KJVGod brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
JPS—
9
ThomsonCouching down, he is gone to rest, like a lion— Yes like a young lion; who dare rouse him? Blessed are they who bless thee, And they who curse thee are already cursed.
BrentonHe lay down, he rested as a lion, and as a young lion; who shall stir him up? they that bless thee are blessed, and they that curse thee are cursed.
GreekΚατακλιθεὶς ἀνεπαύσατο ὡς λέων, καὶ ὡς σκύμνος· τίς ἀναστήσει αὐτόν· οἱ εὐλογοῦντές σε, εὐλόγηνται· καὶ οἱ καταρώμενοί σε, κεκατήρανται.
KJVHe couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
JPSHe couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.
10
ThomsonAt this Balak was inflamed with wrath against Balaam, and clapped his hands. And Balak said to Balaam, I sent for thee to curse my enemy, and behold thou hast blessed them a third time.
BrentonAnd Balac was angry with Balaam, and clapped his hands together; and Balac said to Balaam, I called thee to curse my enemy, and behold thou hast decidedly blessed him this third time.
GreekΚαὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλὰκ ἐπὶ Βαλαὰμ, καὶ συνεκρότησε ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαὰμ, καταρᾶσθαι τὸν ἐχθρόν μου κέκληκά σε, καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλογῶν εὐλόγησας τρίτον τοῦτο.
KJVAnd Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
JPSAnd Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam: ‘I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
11
ThomsonNow therefore flee to thy own place. I thought to promote thee to honour. But the Lord hath now deprived thee of that glory.
BrentonNow therefore flee to thy place: I said, I will honour thee, but now the Lord has deprived thee of glory.
GreekΝῦν οὖν φεῦγε εἰς τὸν τόπον σου· εἶπα, τιμήσω σε, καὶ νῦν ἐστέρησέ σε Κύριος τῆς δόξης.
KJVTherefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
JPSTherefore now flee thou to thy place; I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.’
12
ThomsonWhereupon Balaam said to Balak, Did I not tell thy messengers whom thou sentest to me,
BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Did I not speak to thy messengers also whom thou sentest to me, saying,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλὰκ, οὐχὶ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις σου οὓς ἀπέστειλας πρὸς με ἐλάλησα, λέγων,
KJVAnd Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
JPSAnd Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Spoke I not also to thy messengers that thou didst send unto me, saying:
13
ThomsonIf Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of the Lord, to do either good or evil, of my own mere will. Whatever God may order that I will speak.
BrentonIf Balac should give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the Lord to make it good or bad by myself; whatsoever things God shall say, them will I speak.
Greekἐάν μοι δῷ Βαλὰκ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου, οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα Κυρίου ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ καλὸν ἤ πονηρὸν παρʼ ἐμαυτοῦ· ὅσα ἂν εἴπῃ ὁ Θεός, ταῦτα ἐρῶ.
KJVIf Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
JPSIf Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what the LORD speaketh, that will I speak?
14
ThomsonAnd now, behold, I am quickly to return to my own place: come, let me inform thee what this people will do to thy people, in the latter days.
BrentonAnd now, behold, I return to my place; come, I will advise thee of what this people shall do to thy people in the last days.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἀποτρέχω εἰς τὸν τόπον μου· δεῦρο, συμβουλεύσω σοι, τί ποιήσει ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τὸν λαόν σου ἐπʼ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν.
KJVAnd now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
JPSAnd now, behold, I go unto my people; come, and I will announce to thee what this people shall do to thy people in the end of days.’
15
ThomsonThen taking up his parable, he said: Balaam son of Beor saith— It is the saying of a man who is a true seer,
BrentonAnd he took up his parable and said, Balaam the son of Beor says, the man who sees truly says,
GreekΚαὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπε,
KJVAnd he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
JPSAnd he took up his parable, and said: The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, And the saying of the man whose eye is opened;
16
ThomsonWho heareth the oracles of God, And hath knowlege from the Most High— Who in sleep hath seen a vision of God, and whose eyes were opened.
Brentonhearing the oracles of God, receiving knowledge from the Most High, and having seen a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened.
GreekΦησὶ Βαλαὰμ υἱὸς Βεὼρ, φησὶν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀληθινῶς ὁρῶν, ἀκούων λόγια Θεοῦ, ἐπιστάμενος ἐπιστήμην παρὰ ὑψίστου, καὶ ὅρασιν Θεοῦ ἰδὼν ἐν ὕπνῳ· ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe 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:
JPSThe 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:
17
ThomsonI can point to him, though he is not now; I hail him happy though he is not near. A star will arise out of Jacob— There shall rise up a man out of Israel, And he will smite the princes of Moab, And plunder all the sons of Seth:
BrentonI will point to him, but not now; I bless him, but he draws not near: a star shall rise out of Jacob, a man shall spring out of Israel; and shall crush the princes of Moab, and shall spoil all the sons of Seth.
GreekΔείξω αὐτῷ, καὶ οὐχὶ νῦν· μακαρίζω, καὶ οὐκ ἐγγίζει· ἀνατελεῖ ἄστρον ἐξ Ἰακὼβ, ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ θραύσει τοὺς ἀρχηγοὺς Μωὰβ, καῒ προνομεύσει πάντας υἱοὺς Σήθ.
KJVI shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
JPSI see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; There shall step forth a star out of Jacob, And a scepter shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of Seth.
18
ThomsonAnd Edom shall be an inheritance, And Esau, his enemy, shall be a heritage. Though Israel hath done valiantly;
BrentonAnd Edom shall be an inheritance, and Esau his enemy shall be an inheritance of Israel, and Israel wrought valiantly.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται Ἐδὼμ κληρονομία, καὶ ἔσται κληρονομία Ἡσαῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐποίησεν ἐν ἰσχύϊ.
KJVAnd Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
JPSAnd Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; While Israel doeth valiantly.
19
ThomsonYet one shall be raised up out of Jacob, Who will destroy him who escaped from a city.
BrentonAnd one shall arise out of Jacob, and destroy out of the city him that escapes.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξεγερθήσεται ἐξ Ἰακὼβ, καὶ ἀπολεῖ σωζόμενον ἐκ πόλεως.
KJVOut of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
JPSAnd out of Jacob shall one have dominion, And shall destroy the remnant from the city.
20
ThomsonThen having taken a view of Amalek he took up his parable and said, Amalek is the head of nations; But their seed shall be destroyed.
BrentonAnd having seen Amalec, he took up his parable and said, Amalec is the first of the nations; yet his seed shall perish.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν τὸν Ἀμαλὴκ, καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπεν, ἀρχὴ ἐθνῶν Ἀμαλὴκ, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν ἀπολεῖται.
KJVAnd when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
JPSAnd he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said: Amalek was the first of the nations; But his end shall come to destruction.
21
ThomsonThen having taken a view of the Kenite, he took up his parable and said, Strong is thy dwelling-place. But though thou hast built thy nest upon a rock—
BrentonAnd having seen the Kenite, he took up his parable and said, Thy dwelling-place is strong; yet though thou shouldest put thy nest in a rock,
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν τὸν Κεναῖον, καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπεν, ἰσχυρὰ ἡ κατοικία σου· καὶ ἐὰν θῇς ἐν πέτρᾳ τὴν νοσσίαν σου,
KJVAnd he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
JPSAnd he looked on the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said: Though firm be thy dwelling-place, And though thy nest be set in the rock;
22
ThomsonAnd though Beor hath crafty chickens; The Assyrians will captivate thee.
Brentonand though Beor should have a skilfully contrived hiding-place, the Assyrians shall carry thee away captive.
Greekκαὶ ἐὰν γένηται τῷ Βεὼρ νοσσιὰ πανουργίας, Ἀσσύριοι αἰχμαλωτεύσουσί σε.
KJVNevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
JPSNevertheless Kain shall be wasted; How long? Asshur shall carry thee away captive. .
23
ThomsonThen looking at Og he took up his parable and said, Oh! Who can live when God will order such things!
BrentonAnd he looked upon Og, and took up his parable and said, Oh, oh, who shall live, when God shall do these things?
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν τὸν Ὢγ, καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπεν, ὢ ὢ, τίς ζήσεται, ὅταν θῇ ταῦτα ὁ Θεός;
KJVAnd he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
JPSAnd he took up his parable, and said: Alas, who shall live after God hath appointed him?
24
ThomsonFor bands of Kitians will issue forth, And afflict Assur, and afflict Hebrews: And they themselves shall likewise be destroyed.
BrentonAnd one shall come forth from the hands of the Citians, and shall afflict Assur, and shall afflict the Hebrews, and they shall perish together.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ χειρῶς Κιτιαίων, καὶ κακώσουσιν Ἀσσοὺρ, καὶ κακώσουσιν Ἐβραίους, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἀπολοῦνται.
KJVAnd ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
JPSBut ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, And he also shall come to destruction.
25
ThomsonThen Balaam arose, and went away, with a view to return to his own place, and Balak repaired home.
BrentonAnd Balaam rose up and departed and returned to his place, and Balac went to his own home.
GreekΚαὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλαὰμ ἀπῆλθεν, ἀποστραφεὶς εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ· καὶ Βαλὰκ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν.
KJVAnd Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
JPSAnd Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.