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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Numbers 24:8–11

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
God 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.
He 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.
¶ And 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.
Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 8

  1. Psalms 45:5Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

  2. Jeremiah 50:17Rank 2 from verse 8
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    17¶ Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

  3. Numbers 14:9Rank 3 from verse 8
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    9Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

  4. Numbers 23:22Rank 4 from verse 8
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    22God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

  5. Numbers 23:24Rank 5 from verse 8
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    24Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

From verse 9

  1. Genesis 12:3Rank 1 from verse 9
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    3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

  2. Genesis 27:29Rank 2 from verse 9
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    29Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

  3. Genesis 49:9Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    9Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

  4. Numbers 23:24Rank 4 from verse 9
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    24Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

  5. Matthew 25:45Rank 5 from verse 9
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    45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

From verse 10

  1. Ezekiel 21:14Rank 1 from verse 10
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    14Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.

  2. Numbers 23:11Rank 2 from verse 10
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    11And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.

  3. Ezekiel 21:17Rank 3 from verse 10
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    17I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the Lord have said it.

  4. Ezekiel 22:13Rank 4 from verse 10
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    13¶ Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.

  5. Job 27:23Rank 5 from verse 10
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    23Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

From verse 11

  1. Numbers 22:17Rank 1 from verse 11
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    17For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

  2. Numbers 22:37Rank 2 from verse 11
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    37And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

  3. 1 Peter 5:2–3Rank 3 from verse 11
    Open

    2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

    3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

  4. 2 John 1:8Rank 4 from verse 11
    Open

    8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

  5. Acts 8:20Rank 5 from verse 11
    Open

    20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Numbers 24:8

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

as it were

↗

1. Marking likeness or comparison: as though, or in a manner resembling. 2. Marking approximation: about or nearly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

strength

↗

Power, might, force, ability, firmness, courage, capacity, support, defence, resources, or that by which a person or thing is enabled to stand, act, endure, overcome, or accomplish a work.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

eat

↗

To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

nations

↗

Sense 1: Distinct peoples or political communities. Sense 2: The Gentile peoples as distinguished from Israel.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

break

↗

1. To separate, fracture, burst, or open. 2. To interrupt or violate. 3. To subdue. 4. To burst forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pierce

↗

1. To penetrate, puncture, stab, or pass sharply through a body or object. 2. By figure, to penetrate the soul with grief or anguish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

arrows

↗

Sense 1: Pointed missiles shot from bows. Sense 2: Figuratively, instruments or images of attack, judgment, pain, or sudden force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Numbers 24:9

COMBINED MEANING

couched

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of couch, meaning to lie down or crouch in a place of rest or concealment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lay

↗

Sense 1: To put, place, set, arrange, deposit, apply, establish, impose, or cause to be in a stated position or condition. Sense 2: As the past tense of lie, to recline, rest, be situated, or remain in a state. Sense 3: In lay with, to have sexual relations. Sense 4: To press or bear upon. Sense 5: In lay up, lay by, or lay in store, to keep, store, or treasure; in lay wait, lay snares, lay an ambush, or lay siege, to prepare or set. Sense 6: In lay hold or lay hands on, to seize, take, apprehend, or touch. Sense 7: In lay down one's life, to surrender or give it; in lay aside, lay apart, or lay away, to remove, reject, or put off.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lion

↗

Sense 1: A large, powerful wild cat. Sense 2: Figuratively, one fierce or strong.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

stir

↗

Sense 1: To rouse, excite, or put into action or motion. Sense 2: A commotion or disturbance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

curseth

↗

Third-person singular present form of curse (to utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Numbers 24:10

COMBINED MEANING

anger

↗

Sense 1: Strong displeasure or indignation. Sense 2: As a verb, to provoke to such displeasure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kindled

↗

Sense 1: Set on fire, ignited, caused to burn, or made hot. Sense 2: Figuratively, aroused, stirred, or inflamed, especially of anger or wrath.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

smote

↗

1. Struck or dealt a blow to a person or thing with a hand, weapon, instrument, object, or force. 2. Attacked, defeated, slew, destroyed, or devastated a person, army, city, people, or land. 3. Afflicted, injured, or visited with disease, plague, blindness, calamity, or judgment. 4. Of the heart, convicted, troubled, or reproved inwardly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

curse

↗

Sense 1: A pronouncement, sentence, or imposed condition of evil, loss, or judgment; an oath invoking such a penalty. Sense 2: As a verb, to pronounce judgment or evil upon, condemn, or revile.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Numbers 24:11

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

place

↗

Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thought

↗

Sense 1: Past tense and past participle of think: considered, supposed, intended, purposed, judged, reckoned, or called to mind. Sense 2: A thought, intention, purpose, judgment, or matter of the mind or heart. Sense 3: In the phrase ‘take thought,’ anxious care or concern.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

honour

↗

Sense 1: Esteem, respect, dignity, glory, distinction, or exalted standing. Sense 2: To esteem, respect, acknowledge, reward, or adorn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lo

↗

An exclamation meaning look, see, behold, observe, or take notice, used to call immediate attention to what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

back

↗

Sense 1: The rear part; a position or direction behind. Sense 2: A return to a former place or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Numbers 24:1–14

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

24:1AND 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.

24:2And 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.

24:3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

24:4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

24:5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

24:6As 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.

24:7He 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.

24:8God 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.

Selected passage

24:9He 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.

Selected passage

24:10¶ And 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.

Selected passage

24:11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour.

Selected passage

24:12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

24:13If 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?

24:14And 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.

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