Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my final end be like theirs!” New Living Translation Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust? Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people? Let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs.” English Standard Version Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” Berean Standard Bible Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!” King James Bible 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! New King James Version “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my end be like his!” New American Standard Bible “Who has counted the dust of Jacob, Or the number of the fourth part of Israel? May I die the death of the upright, And may my end be like his!” NASB 1995 “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!” NASB 1977 “Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!” Legacy Standard Bible Who can number the dust of Jacob, Or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!” Amplified Bible “Who can count the dust (the descendants) of Jacob And the number of even the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God], And let my end be like his!” Christian Standard Bible Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered even one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my life be like theirs. Holman Christian Standard Bible Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered the dust clouds of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my life be like theirs.” American Standard Version Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his! Contemporary English Version They are living alone in peace. And though they are many, they don't bother the other nations. "I hope to obey God for as long as I live and to die in such peace." English Revised Version Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his! GOD'S WORD® Translation The descendants of Jacob are like specks of dust. Who can count them or number even one-fourth of the people of Israel? Let me die the death of innocent people. Let my end be like theirs." Good News Translation The descendants of Israel are like the dust--There are too many of them to be counted. Let me end my days like one of God's people; Let me die in peace like the righteous." International Standard Version Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him." NET Bible Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let the end of my life be like theirs." New Heart English Bible Who can count the dust of Jacob, and who has numbered the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous. Let my last end be like his." Webster's Bible Translation 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! Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWho can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!” World English Bible Who can count the dust of Jacob, or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous! Let my last end be like his!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho has counted the dust of Jacob, "" And the number of the fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of upright ones, "" And let my last end be like his!” Young's Literal Translation Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of upright ones, And let my last end be like his!' Smith's Literal Translation Who divided out the dust of Jacob and who numbered the fourth of Israel? My soul shall die the death of the just, and my latter state shall be as his. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho can count the dust of Jacob, and know the number of the stock of Israel? Let my soul die the death of the just, and my last end be like to them. Catholic Public Domain Version Who can number the dust that is Jacob, and who can know the number of the stock of Israel? May my soul die a just death, and may my end be like theirs.” New American Bible Who has ever counted the dust of Jacob, who numbered Israel’s dust-cloud? May I die the death of the just, may my end be like theirs! New Revised Standard Version Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the dust-cloud of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho can count the multitude of the descendants of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like theirs! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Who can count the troubles of Yaquuv and the number of the fourth of Israel? May my soul die the death of their upright ones and may my end be like them.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, Or numbered the stock of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let mine end be like his! Brenton Septuagint Translation Who has exactly calculated the seed of Jacob, and who shall number the families of Israel? let my soul die with the souls of the righteous, and let my seed be as their seed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Balaam's First Oracle…9For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. 10Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!” 11Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”… Cross References Genesis 13:16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. Genesis 15:5 And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. Genesis 28:14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. Exodus 32:13 Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” Deuteronomy 1:10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. Deuteronomy 10:22 Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. 1 Kings 3:8 Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. Hosea 1:10 Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ Romans 9:27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. Romans 11:1-5 I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ... Galatians 3:7-9 Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” / So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Hebrews 11:12 And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Treasury of Scripture 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! can count Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. the dust. Numbers 2:9,16,24,31 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth… me. Psalm 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Proverbs 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Jump to Previous Able Count Counted Death Die Dust End Israel Jacob Last Measure Numbered Ones Part Righteous Stock Theirs Thousands UprightJump to Next Able Count Counted Death Die Dust End Israel Jacob Last Measure Numbered Ones Part Righteous Stock Theirs Thousands UprightNumbers 23 1. Balak's sacrificesWho can count the dust of Jacob This phrase reflects the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 13:16, where God promised to make his descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. It emphasizes the vastness and growth of the Israelite nation, which was a fulfillment of God's covenant. The imagery of "dust" signifies an innumerable multitude, highlighting God's blessing and faithfulness to His promises. This also connects to the idea of Israel's enduring legacy and God's sovereign plan for His chosen people. or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs! Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead, he ends up blessing them under God's influence. 2. Balak The king of Moab who feared the Israelites due to their large numbers and sought to weaken them through a curse. 3. Israelites The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who were journeying to the Promised Land. They are described metaphorically as "dust" due to their vast numbers. 4. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, felt threatened by the Israelites' presence. 5. The Plains of Moab The location where Balaam delivered his oracles, including the blessing found in Numbers 23:10. Teaching Points The Sovereignty of GodDespite human intentions, God's will prevails. Balaam was hired to curse Israel, but God turned the curse into a blessing. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our lives. The Value of Righteousness Balaam's desire to die the death of the righteous highlights the eternal value of living a life pleasing to God. We should strive for righteousness, knowing it leads to a blessed end. The Fulfillment of God's Promises The metaphor of Israel as "dust" reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well. The Importance of Perspective Balaam's perspective shifted from cursing to blessing when he saw Israel from God's viewpoint. We should seek God's perspective in our situations to align our actions with His will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 23:10?2. How does Numbers 23:10 inspire us to live a righteous life today? 3. What does "let me die the death of the righteous" mean for believers? 4. How can we ensure our "end is like theirs" in our daily walk? 5. How does Numbers 23:10 connect with Psalm 37:37 on the righteous' future? 6. What practical steps help us align with the righteous path in Numbers 23:10? 7. What does Numbers 23:10 reveal about God's view on the fate of the righteous? 8. How does Numbers 23:10 reflect the theme of divine blessing and curse? 9. What historical context is essential to understand Numbers 23:10? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23? 11. Numbers 23:8-10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king's demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives? 12. How many died in the plague after the Israelites' adultery with Moab's daughters: 24,000 (Numbers 25:1, 9) or 23,000 (I Corinthians 10:8)? 13. Numbers 23:22-24: Is there historical or scientific support for a mass exodus and the claim of supernatural might symbolized by 'the strength of a wild ox'? 14. Matthew 10:23 - Why has Jesus not returned if he promised his disciples they wouldn't finish visiting all the towns of Israel before his coming? What Does Numbers 23:10 Mean Who can count the dust of Jacob- Balaam begins with a rhetorical question that celebrates God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s offspring beyond human calculation (Genesis 13:16; 28:14). - “Dust” recalls God’s exact wording to Abraham: “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted” (Genesis 13:16). - Balaam, though a pagan seer, must acknowledge that God has literally fulfilled and is still fulfilling His covenant pledge. - This phrase underscores: • God’s faithfulness across generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Israel’s preservation despite oppression (Exodus 1:12). • The impossibility of thwarting God’s promises (Romans 11:29). or number even a fourth of Israel? - Balaam intensifies the idea by stating that not even a quarter of Israel can be tallied, let alone the whole nation. - The hyperbolic tone proclaims an overwhelming population growth already visible on the plains of Moab (Numbers 22:3). - Other biblical moments echo this uncountable multitude: • “Like the stars… cannot be numbered” (Jeremiah 33:22). • John’s vision: “a great multitude that no one could count” (Revelation 7:9). - Application points: • God’s people are secure in His abundant blessing (Psalm 115:14). • Attempts to curse what God has blessed are futile (Numbers 23:8). Let me die the death of the righteous; - Having surveyed Israel’s blessed future, Balaam expresses personal desire for the same destiny. - “Righteous” here refers to those in covenant with the Lord—people made right by faith (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 4:3). - Scripture celebrates the passing of the righteous as precious: • “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). • Paul’s testimony echoes this hope (2 Timothy 4:7–8). - Key lessons: • True righteousness is bestowed, not earned (Titus 3:5). • The believer’s death is not defeat but transition to promised rest (Philippians 1:21, 23). let my end be like theirs! - Balaam longs for Israel’s ultimate inheritance—life with God beyond the grave. - “End” points to both the manner of dying and the eternal outcome (Proverbs 14:32). - Revelation assures the blessed end of God’s faithful: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (Revelation 14:13). - Contrasting destinies run throughout Scripture: • The wicked’s end is ruin (Psalm 73:17–19). • The righteous enter everlasting joy (Daniel 12:3). - Balaam’s wish confronts readers: aligning with God’s people secures a glorious finish (John 3:36). summary Balaam’s oracle marvels at Israel’s incalculable growth, affirms God’s irrevocable blessing, and reveals that even a pagan prophet covets the righteous person’s hopeful death and glorious eternal end. The passage invites confidence in God’s literal promises and urges every reader to embrace the covenant God offers, ensuring both abundant life now and a blessed destiny forever. (10) Who can count the dust of Jacob?--These words point back to the promise made to Abraham: "And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth," &c. (Genesis 13:16).And the number of the fourth part of Israel.--The Israelites were divided into four great encampments (Numbers 2). It is probable that Balaam could only see one of these encampments from Bamoth-Baal (Numbers 22:41); but see below on Numbers 23:13. The death of the righteous.--The Hebrew word yesharim (upright, or righteous) is applied to Israel because God, who is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4). had chosen His people to be a Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5; Deuteronomy 33:26)--a holy and peculiar people, following after righteousness and judgment. The end of Balaam (Numbers 31:8) presented a strange contrast to his prayer, and showed that even the prayer of the wicked is abomination in the sight of the Lord. (See Proverbs 28:9.) . . . Verse 10. - The fourth part of Israel. אֶת־רבַע is so rendered by the Targums, as alluding to the four great camps into which the host was divided. The Septuagint has δήμους, apparently from an incorrect reading. The Samaritan and the older versions, followed by the Vulgate, render it "progeny,'" but this meaning is conjectural, and there seems no sufficient reason to depart from the common translation. Let me die the death of the righteous. The word "righteous" is in the plural (יְשָׁרִים, δικαίων): it may refer either to the Israelites as a holy nation, living and dying in the favour of God; or to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, the promises made to whom, in faith of which they died, were already so gloriously fulfilled. If the former reference was intended, Balaam must have had a much fuller and happier knowledge of "life and immortality" than the Israelites themselves, to whom death was dreadful, all the more that it ended a life protected and blessed by God (cf. e.g., Psalm 88:10-12; Isaiah 38:18, 19). It is hardly credible that so singular an anticipation of purely Christian feeling should really be found in the mouth of a prophet of that day, for it is clear that the words, however much inspired, did express the actual emotion of Balaam at the moment. It is therefore more consistent with the facts and probabilities of the case to suppose that Balaam referred to righteous Abraham (cf. Isaiah 41:2) and his immediate descendants, and wished that when he came to die he might have as sure a hope as they had enjoyed that God would bless and multiply their seed, and make their name to be glorious in the earth. Let my last end be like his. אַחַרִית (last end) is the same word translated "latter days" and "latter end" in Numbers 24:14, 20. It means the last state of a people or of a man as represented in his offspring; the sense is not incorrectly expressed by the Septuagint, γένοιτο τὸ σπέρμα μου ὡς τὸ σπέρμα τούτων.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whoמִ֤י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can count מָנָה֙ (mā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4487: To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll the dust עֲפַ֣ר (‘ă·p̄ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud of Jacob יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc or number וּמִסְפָּ֖ר (ū·mis·pār) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration [even] a fourth רֹ֣בַע (rō·ḇa‘) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7255: Fourth part of Israel? יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Let me נַפְשִׁי֙ (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion die תָּמֹ֤ת (tā·mōṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill the death מ֣וֹת (mō·wṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of the righteous; יְשָׁרִ֔ים (yə·šā·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3477: Straight, right let my end אַחֲרִיתִ֖י (’a·ḥă·rî·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 319: The last, end, the future, posterity be וּתְהִ֥י (ū·ṯə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be like theirs!” כָּמֹֽהוּ׃ (kā·mō·hū) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 3644: Like, as, when Links Numbers 23:10 NIVNumbers 23:10 NLT Numbers 23:10 ESV Numbers 23:10 NASB Numbers 23:10 KJV Numbers 23:10 BibleApps.com Numbers 23:10 Biblia Paralela Numbers 23:10 Chinese Bible Numbers 23:10 French Bible Numbers 23:10 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob (Nu Num.) |
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