Num 24:17-24 | JFB | STEP | 17. I shall see him-- rather, "I do see" or "I have seen him"--a prophetic sight, like that of Abraham ( ). him-- that is, Israel. there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel-- This imagery, in the hieroglyphic language of the East, denotes some eminent ruler--primarily David; but secondarily and pre-eminently, the Messiah (see on ). corners-- border, often used for a whole country ( ; ). children of Sheth-- some prince of Moab; or, according to some, "the children of the East."

‏ Numbers 24:17-24

17. I shall see him--rather, "I do see" or "I have seen him"--a prophetic sight, like that of Abraham (Joh 8:56).

him--that is, Israel.

there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel--This imagery, in the hieroglyphic language of the East, denotes some eminent ruler--primarily David; but secondarily and pre-eminently, the Messiah (see on Ge 49:10).

corners--border, often used for a whole country (Ex 8:2; Psa 74:17).

children of Sheth--some prince of Moab; or, according to some, "the children of the East."

18. Edom shall be a possession--This prophecy was accomplished by David (2Sa 8:14).

Seir--seen in the south, and poetically used for Edom. The double conquest of Moab and Edom is alluded to (Psa 60:8; 108:9).

19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion--David, and particularly Christ.

that remaineth of the city--those who flee from the field to fortified places (Psa 60:9).

20. Amalek ... his latter end shall be that he perish for ever--Their territory was seen at the remote extremity of the desert. (See on Ex 17:13; also 1Sa 15:1-35).

21. Kenites ... nest in a rock--Though securely established among the clefts in the high rocks of En-gedi towards the west, they should be gradually reduced by a succession of enemies till the Assyrian invader carried them into captivity (Jud 1:16; 4:11, 16, 17; also 2Ki 15:29; 17:6).

23. who shall live when God doeth this!--Few shall escape the desolation that shall send a Nebuchadnezzar to scourge all those regions.

24. Chittim--the countries lying on the Mediterranean, particularly Greece and Italy (Da 11:29, 30). The Assyrians were themselves to be overthrown--first, by the Greeks under Alexander the Great and his successors; secondly, by the Romans.

Eber--the posterity of the Hebrews (Ge 10:24).

he also shall perish--that is, the conqueror of Asher and Eber, namely, the Greek and Roman empires.