I 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.
I can see him, but not right now; I will look at him, but he's not close by. A Star will come from Jacob's family, and a King will rise from Israel. He will defeat the corners of Moab and destroy all the descendants of Sheth.
This verse is a prophecy about a future king from Israel who will be powerful enough to defeat Israel's enemies.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, and they had become a threat to neighboring nations. Balaam, a prophet from outside Israel, was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites, but God compelled him to bless them instead and deliver prophecies about their future. This verse is part of Balaam's oracle, foretelling a powerful ruler from Jacob who would bring victory and judgment to Israel's enemies.
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