Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse uses "his enemies" for Seir to directly connect Seir's future possession with the "enemies" of the coming ruler. This highlights that Israel's triumph isn't just about them, but about the dominion of the one who will arise from them.
Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes at the end of Balaam's prophecies, which were uttered despite King Balak's wishes to curse Israel. Balaam, forced by God to bless Israel, shifts to predicting their future dominance over nations like Edom and Moab, which were historically antagonistic to them. The preceding verses describe the rise of a star and scepter from Jacob, signaling Israel's ultimate sovereignty.
Balaam's prophecies reveal a divine decree over nations, setting the stage for Israel's future.
The prophecies given by Balaam, even though he was an outsider, speak of God's sovereign hand over the nations. Edom and Seir, descendants of Esau (Jacob's brother), are specifically mentioned. The text states they 'shall be dispossessed' and become a 'possession' for Israel's enemies. This isn't random; it reflects a long-standing tension and a prophetic judgment on those who opposed God's people. This echoes throughout Scripture, showing that nations, despite their power, are accountable to God.
Beyond judgment on enemies, this prophecy offers a powerful affirmation of Israel's strength and divine favor.
The final phrase, 'Israel is doing valiantly,' is not just a description of past or present actions, but a prophetic declaration of Israel's future strength and success. It's a bold statement that, despite the opposition and the ultimate judgment on their enemies, Israel will rise. This isn't about human might alone; it's about God empowering His people. This promise echoes through their history, from the conquest of the Promised Land to the victories achieved under leaders like David, and ultimately points to the spiritual victory won through Christ.
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~1000 BC
David Subjugates Edom
King David decisively defeats the Edomites, establishing garrisons and making them tributaries. This marks a significant fulfillment of the prophecy, with Edom becoming a possession and servant to Israel.
c. 400-300 BC
Idumaeans Integrate with Jews
Over time, the Idumaeans (descendants of Edom) gradually integrate with the Jewish people. Later, under leaders like John Hyrcanus, they are conquered and compelled to adopt Jewish customs and laws.
c. 1st century BC - 1st century AD
Herod the Great and Idumaean Influence
The Herodian dynasty, descended from the Idumaeans, rises to power in Judea. Herod the Great, an Idumaean, rules as king under Roman authority, a dramatic shift in power dynamics.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
The Messiah's Coming
The prophecy is ultimately seen as pointing to the Messianic era. The spiritual conquest and dominion of Christ over His enemies, including those descended from Edom, represents the final fulfillment.
This passage directly shows a fulfillment of the prophecy, detailing how King David established control over Edom, making them subjects and possessing their land, mirroring the oracle's prediction.
Psalm 60:8This psalm, attributed to David, echoes the sentiment of conquering Edom and Moab, treating them metaphorically as spoils ('my washpot,' 'my shoe'), which aligns with the prophetic declaration of Edom becoming a possession.
Isaiah 63:1-6This prophetic passage speaks of a triumphant figure returning from Edom with stained garments, powerfully symbolizing God's judgment and conquest over Edom, which is seen as a spiritual fulfillment of Edom being 'possessed' by God's victorious people.
Obadiah 1:17-21This prophecy foretells the judgment and dispossession of Edom ('Mount Esau') and the restoration of Israel, culminating in God's kingdom, which broadens the scope of 'possession' from a military conquest to a divine and eternal reign.
Revelation 11:15This New Testament passage speaks of the inauguration of God's kingdom with loud voices proclaiming, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,' connecting the ancient prophetic victories over nations like Edom to the ultimate triumph of Christ's reign.
gillNumbers 24:18: "And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly."
And Edom shall be a possession,.... Of the children of Israel, which was fulfilled in part when the Edomites became the servants of David, 2 Samuel 8:14 and when they were smitten and spoiled by Judas Maccabeus,them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.'' (1 Maccabees 5:3)and still more so when all the Edomites or the Idumaeans were subdu…
calvinNumbers 24:1-25: "And 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."
Deus eduxit eum ex AEgypto: sicut vires unicornis ei. Consumet gentes hostes suos, et ossa eorum conteret, et sagittis suis confodiet (vel, sagittas suas tinget sanguine.)
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 cur…
The verse uses "his enemies" for Seir to directly connect Seir's future possession with the "enemies" of the coming ruler. This highlights that Israel's triumph isn't just about them, but about the dominion of the one who will arise from them.
This verse comes at the end of Balaam's prophecies, which were uttered despite King Balak's wishes to curse Israel. Balaam, forced by God to bless Israel, shifts to predicting their future dominance over nations like Edom and Moab, which were historically antagonistic to them. The preceding verses describe the rise of a star and scepter from Jacob, signaling Israel's ultimate sovereignty.
This verse comes at the end of Balaam's prophecies, which were uttered despite King Balak's wishes to curse Israel. Balaam, forced by God to bless Israel, shifts to predicting their future dominance over nations like Edom and Moab, which were historically antagonistic to them. The preceding verses describe the rise of a star and scepter from Jacob, signaling Israel's ultimate sovereignty.
"Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly." — The verse uses "his enemies" for Seir to directly connect Seir's future possession with the "enemies" of the coming ruler. This highlights that Israel's triumph isn't just about them, but about the d…
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Last reviewed October 2026