Numbers 24:9

Num 24:9 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.

Ver. 9. He lay down as a lion.] {See Trapp on "Gen 49:9"}

And cursed is he.] Here the sorcerer pronounceth a curse upon himself; for he desired to curse Israel, and therefore in God’s account he did it.

“ Qui, quia non licuit, non facit, ille facit. ” - Ovid.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Num_24:9

Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

God will be merciful to such as be merciful to the Church

God will bless those that do good to His people, they shall not lose their labour that favour the Church, but such as are enemies unto them shall find God an enemy unto them. We see how God blessed the house of Laban for Jacobs sake (Gen_30:27); and the house of Potiphar for Josephs sake (Gen_39:3). Rahab, the harlot, receiving the spies and preferring their life before her own life, was herself saved from the common destruction. The widow of Sarepta giving hospitality to Elijah, and offering him part of that poor pittance which was left her and her son in those days of drought, was with all her family miraculously sustained in the famine, continuing three years and six months (1Ki_17:10). The Shunamite receiving the prophet Elisha, making him a chamber, providing all necessaries for him. She showed some mercy, but received more mercy; she ministered comfort to the prophet, but herself received more comfort.

1. First, God will honour all those that honour Him, He will despise all those that despise Him. This is the gracious promise that is gone out of His own mouth, which He cannot but verify, for He is not as man that He should lie; He is not as the son of man that He should deceive. This is it which the Lord spake by the mouth and ministry of Samuel concerning Eli and his house (1Sa_2:30). And, therefore, they shall prosper that love the Church (Psa_122:1-9).

2. Secondly, God hath appointed it to be the end of our obedience; our mercy to others shall procure mercy upon ourselves. This the apostle setteth down (Rom_2:10).

3. Thirdly, mercy, a notable fruit of love received, kindleth the hearts, and inflameth the affections of Gods people, both to praise God for them, and to pray unto God for them that have been helpful and serviceable to the Church.

The uses follow--

1. First, from hence we have the confirmation of another holy truth in our Christian religion, that merciful, liberal, and kind men, shall be surely blessed.

2. Secondly, it is our duty to love Gods people, seeing such as favour them do fare the better for them.

3. Thirdly, hereby we are warned to exhort one another to this duty, and by all means to provoke one another to mercy, in regard of the great recompense of reward that is laid up for merciful men.

4. Lastly, this doctrine is both a great encouragement unto us in well doing and a great comfort in all adversities. (W. Attersoll.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 9. He couched, he lay down as a lion, c.] See the original terms explained Nu 23:24.

These oracles, delivered by Balaam, are evident prophecies of the victories which the Israelites should gain over their enemies, and of their firm possession of the promised land. They may also refer to the great victories to be obtained by the Lord Jesus Christ, that Lion of the tribe of Judah, over sin, death, and Satan, the grand enemies of the human race and to that most numerous posterity of spiritual children which should be begotten by the preaching of the Gospel.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(9) He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion.—The Hebrew labi (great lion) should be rendered “a lioness,” as in Num_23:24. The image of a lion connects this verse with the preceding verse: “he shall eat up the nations.” (See Note on Num_23:24.)

Blessed is he that blesseth thee . . . —Compare the original blessing which was pronounced upon Abraham by the Lord (Gen_12:3), and which was afterwards adopted by Isaac in the blessing which he pronounced upon Jacob (Gen_27:29).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

9. Blessed be every one &c.] The clauses occur inverted in Gen_27:29.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He couched,.... Which may respect the posture of the armies of Israel in the plains of Moab:

he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion; as he would do, and did in the land of Canaan, when conquered by Israel; they took up their residence on it quietly, and dwelt in it securely, and in no more fear of their enemies than a lion, which lays itself down and sleeps without concern anywhere:

who shall stir him up? who dare do it? as it would be a very rash, bold, daring, and dangerous thing to rouse up a lion lying down; so it is suggested it would be alike to provoke Israel to war at some certain times, in the days of David more especially:

blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee; which are the very words in which Isaac blessed Jacob, the ancestor of these people, Gen 27:29 and which blessing is confirmed by Balaam against his will, and whereby he cursed himself instead of Israel; for though he could not curse him with words, he had cursed him in his heart, and would have done it verbally if he could (a).

(a) "Qui, quia non licuit, non facit, ille facit". Ovid.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Having conquered his enemies the Canaanites, and their land, he shall quietly and securely rest and settle himself there.

Stir him up, i.e. awake or provoke him.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

9. He couched — This is Jacob’s blessing upon Judah, the ancestor of Jesus Christ, the lion of his tribe, predicting his final triumph over the world. Gen_49:9; Joh_16:33, notes.

Who shall stir him up — None. Hence his victory and peace will be lasting.

Blessed… blesseth — The conclusion of Isaac’s blessing upon Jacob, Gen_27:29, and of Jehovah’s upon Abraham. Gen_12:3. Thus God shows that he keeps in mind his own promises, puts honour upon words spoken centuries before, and shows Balak the immutability of his purposes.

Cursed — God so identifies himself with his people that he punishes malevolence toward them as a wrong to himself. Mat_25:41-45.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

A lion. yria. A great lion. aybil. See on Num_23:24, and Gen_49:9. Blessed is he that blesseth thee, &c. In these words Balaam seems to refer to the terms of Balak"s first message. ; (Num_22:6) Far from being affected by blessings and cursings from without, Israel was itself a source of blessing or cursing to others according as they treated him.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He lay down - Having conquered his enemies the Canaanites, and their land, he shall quietly rest and settle himself there.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

General Information:

Balaam finishes the prophecy under the control of the Spirit of God.

He crouches down like a lion, like a lioness

In this simile, Balaam compares the Israelites to both male and female lions. This means they are dangerous and always ready to attack. (See: Simile)

Who dares disturb him?

Balaam uses a question to warn all the people to not provoke the Israelites. This can be translated as a statement. AT: "No one dares to disturb him!" (See: Rhetorical Question)

May everyone who blesses him be blessed; may everyone who curses him be cursed

This can be stated in active form. AT: "May God bless those who bless the Israelites; may he curse those who curse the Israelites" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

lions

bless

curse

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

כרע שכב כארי HE CROUCHED, HE LAY DOWN AS A LION — Understand this as the Targum does (“He will have rest, he will dwell in strength like a lion”), meaning, they will be settled in their land in strength and might.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

Those who bless you are blessed. This will apply as it once was regarding Avraham, for the remnants of the Jewish People will be on the level of Avraham. This is stated in the verse (Devorim 30:9), for Adonoy will return to rejoice over you for benefit as He rejoiced over your forefathers.

Sforno on the Tanakh — English translation: “Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.