KJV ORIGINAL
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Who can count the dust of Jacob, or even number a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my final days be like theirs!
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is expressing amazement at how countless God's people have become, and wishes to die with the same blessing and righteousness that they have.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of Balaam's first blessing over Israel, spoken from a mountaintop overlooking the Israelite camp. Balaam had been hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel, but God compelled him to bless them instead. The phrase 'dust of Jacob' refers to God's ancient promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth.
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