Numbers 24:9
He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Balaam’s description of Israel as a lion ready to pounce, but choosing to rest, isn't just about their ferocity; it emphasizes their controlled strength and security in their God-given land. The echo of Isaac's words to Jacob highlights that this blessing isn't arbitrary but rooted in God’s covenantal faithfulness, making anyone who blesses Israel a participant in that divine favor.
Balaam, hired by Balak to curse Israel, is now compelled by God to pronounce blessings instead. After prophesying Israel's strength and prosperity, Balaam vividly describes them as a powerful, unmovable lion, unprovoked and secure. He concludes by stating that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed, echoing Isaac's blessing on Jacob.
Imagine a powerful lion, settled and secure. No one dares to disturb it. This is the image God uses for Israel. Why this fierce comparison, and what does it tell us about their future?
Balaam describes Israel as crouching and lying down "like a lion, and like a lioness." This isn't just about Israel's strength, but about their security once they enter the Promised Land.
A Land of Rest
Think about it: after a long journey from Egypt and facing many battles, their ultimate destiny was a place of rest and security. This lion imagery signifies that once they established themselves in the land God gave them, they would be settled, powerful, and no longer prey to their enemies.
Invincible Power
The question, "Who will rouse him up?" is rhetorical. It implies that no one can or dares to disturb this lion. This speaks to God's protective power over His people. When God blesses a people, He also secures them, making them formidable to those who would seek to harm them.
Balaam’s prophecy concludes with a powerful statement about who is blessed and who is cursed. This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a divine decree that has eternal implications.
The latter part of the verse states, "Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you." This is a profound declaration about God's covenant relationship with Israel.
God's Chosen People
God declared to Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3). Balaam, though an outsider, is compelled to echo this divine principle. It means that God identifies Himself with His people. When people bless Israel, they are aligning themselves with God's purposes, and He honors that. When they curse or oppose Israel, they are directly opposing God, and they will face His judgment.
A Universal Principle
Understand the original words
ari · Hebrew Noun
A predator known for its courage, royalty, and ferocity. Often used as a symbol of the tribe of Judah and the ultimate Messiah who acts as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
barak · Hebrew Verb
To pronounce favor or empowerment upon someone, often involving God’s grace, protection, and provision. The blessing of God creates prosperity and security.
arar · Hebrew Verb
To invoke divine judgment or calamity upon someone; it is the opposite of blessing and results in ruin or separation from God’s favor.
This prophecy occurs at a pivotal moment as Israel stands on the brink of the Promised Land. Balaam's words, delivered under divine compulsion, reveal God's unwavering commitment to protect His people and establish their future, highlighting that any opposition to them is ultimately opposition to God Himself.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Israelites in the Plains of Moab
The Israelites, having crossed the Red Sea and wandered for decades, are now encamped in the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Their presence is a threat to the Moabite king, Balak.
c. 1400 BC
Balak Hires Balaam
King Balak of Moab, fearing the Israelites, hires the foreign diviner Balaam to curse them, hoping to defeat them in battle. Balaam is summoned from Pethor, beyond the Euphrates River.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Oracles
Balaam attempts to curse Israel but is compelled by God to bless them instead. He delivers four oracles, each with increasing clarity about Israel's future victories and divine protection.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Final Prophecy
In his final prophecy, Balaam describes Israel as a powerful, unshakeable lion. He predicts their future dominion and pronounces a definitive blessing on those who bless Israel and a curse on those who curse them.
This passage directly echoes the words used by Isaac when blessing Jacob, showing how Balaam's prophecy about blessing and cursing Israel is a divine affirmation of a lineage-based promise.
Genesis 49:9Jacob's prophecy about his son Judah describes him as a lion cub who grows into a mighty lion, mirroring the imagery of Israel as a powerful, unconquerable lion that Balaam uses here.
Jeremiah 30:10-11This prophetic word assures Israel that though they will face hardship, God will ultimately save them and bring them peace, underscoring the idea that no enemy can truly destroy them as the 'lion' imagery suggests.
Matthew 12:24Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul, but He counters by asking how Satan could cast out Satan, implying that the 'strong man' (Satan) must first be bound by a 'stronger one' to plunder his house – a parallel to the idea of Israel's invincible strength.
Revelation 5:5Jesus is identified as the 'Lion of the tribe of Judah,' fulfilling the powerful, conquering imagery first seen in Balaam's prophecy and Jacob's blessing, highlighting His ultimate victory.
gillNumbers 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."
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, whic…
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…
Balaam’s description of Israel as a lion ready to pounce, but choosing to rest, isn't just about their ferocity; it emphasizes their controlled strength and security in their God-given land. The echo of Isaac's words to Jacob highlights that this blessing isn't arbitrary but rooted in God’s covenantal faithfulness, making anyone who blesses Israel a participant in that divine favor.
Balaam, hired by Balak to curse Israel, is now compelled by God to pronounce blessings instead. After prophesying Israel's strength and prosperity, Balaam vividly describes them as a powerful, unmovable lion, unprovoked and secure. He concludes by stating that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed, echoing Isaac's blessing on Jacob.
Balaam, hired by Balak to curse Israel, is now compelled by God to pronounce blessings instead. After prophesying Israel's strength and prosperity, Balaam vividly describes them as a powerful, unmovable lion, unprovoked and secure. He concludes by stating that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed, echoing Isaac's blessing on Jacob.
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While spoken specifically about Israel, this principle resonates throughout Scripture. God’s favor and protection are tied to those who align with Him and His chosen people. Conversely, opposition to God’s will and His people brings His curse. This highlights the critical importance of our stance towards God and His work in the world.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Departure
Frustrated and angered by Balaam's inability to curse Israel, King Balak sends him away without payment. Balaam departs, having blessed Israel against his will.
"He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”" — Balaam’s description of Israel as a lion ready to pounce, but choosing to rest, isn't just about their ferocity; it emphasizes their controlled strength and security in their God-given land. The echo…
