Numbers 24:24
New International Version
Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin.”

New Living Translation
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.”

English Standard Version
But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.”

Berean Standard Bible
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

King James Bible
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

New King James Version
But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes.”

New American Standard Bible
“But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall oppress Asshur and oppress Eber; So they also will come to destruction.”

NASB 1995
“But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction.”

NASB 1977
“But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and shall afflict Eber; So they also shall come to destruction.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction.”

Amplified Bible
“But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And shall afflict Asshur (Assyria) and Eber; So they (the victors) also will come to destruction.”

Christian Standard Bible
Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to destruction.

American Standard Version
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber; And he also shall come to destruction.

Contemporary English Version
Ships will come from Cyprus, bringing people who will invade the lands of Assyria and Eber. But finally, Cyprus itself will be ruined."

English Revised Version
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, And he also shall come to destruction.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus. They will conquer Assyria and Eber. But they, too, will be totally destroyed."

Good News Translation
Invaders will sail from Cyprus; They will conquer Assyria and Eber, But they, in turn, will perish forever."

International Standard Version
Ships under control of Kittim will devastate Asshur and Eber, until they are permanently destroyed."

Majority Standard Bible
Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”

NET Bible
Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever."

New Heart English Bible
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction."

Webster's Bible Translation
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Ashur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

World English Bible
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But ships [come] from the side of Chittim, "" And they have humbled Asshur, "" And they have humbled Eber, "" But it is also perishing forever.”

Young's Literal Translation
And -- ships are from the side of Chittim, And they have humbled Asshur, And they have humbled Eber, And it also for ever is perishing.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And ships from the hand of the Cyprians, and they afflicted Assyria, and they afflicted Heber, and he also perished forever.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall come in galleys from Italy, they shall overcome the Assyrians, and shall waste the Hebrews, and at the last they themselves also shall perish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They shall arrive in Greek warships from Italy. They shall overcome the Assyrians, and they shall devastate the Hebrews, and yet, at the very end, even they themselves shall perish.”

New American Bible
to deliver them from the hands of the Kittim? When they have conquered Asshur and conquered Eber, They too shall perish forever.

New Revised Standard Version
But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he also shall perish forever.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And legions shall come from the land of China, and shall conquer Assyria, and shall subdue the Hebrews, and they also shall perish for ever.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a legion shall proceed from the land of Khethites and they shall destroy Assyria and they shall destroy also the Hebrews; also those shall be destroyed for eternities.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, And he also shall come to destruction.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And one shall come forth from the hands of the Citians, and shall afflict Assur, and shall afflict the Hebrews, and they shall perish together.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Final Three Oracles
23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? 24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” 25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.…

Cross References
Isaiah 60:9
Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.

Ezekiel 27:12
Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares.

Daniel 11:30
Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and rage against the holy covenant and do damage. So he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

Genesis 10:4
And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.

Isaiah 23:1
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Jeremiah 2:10
Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:

Ezekiel 27:6
Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, inlaid with ivory.

Isaiah 66:19
I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.

Jeremiah 25:22
all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;

Ezekiel 30:9
On that day messengers will go out from Me in ships to frighten Cush out of complacency. Anguish will come upon them on the day of Egypt’s doom. For it is indeed coming.

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

Psalm 72:10
May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

Isaiah 2:16
against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.

Acts 27:1-2
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. / We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

Revelation 18:17
For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance


Treasury of Scripture

And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

Numbers 24:11
Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Joshua 13:22
Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

Jump to Previous
Afflict Ashur Asshur Chittim Coast Destruction Direction Eber Humbled Kittim Others Perish Perishing Ruin Shores Side Subdue Troubling
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Afflict Ashur Asshur Chittim Coast Destruction Direction Eber Humbled Kittim Others Perish Perishing Ruin Shores Side Subdue Troubling
Numbers 24
1. Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel
10. Balak, in anger, dismisses him
15. He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations














Ships will come
The phrase "ships will come" suggests a movement or invasion from a distant place. In the Hebrew text, the word for "ships" is "אֳנִיּוֹת" (oniyyot), which often denotes large sea vessels used for trade or war. Historically, ships were a symbol of power and exploration, indicating a formidable force approaching. This imagery evokes the idea of an impending threat or change, as ships often brought new cultures, ideas, or conflicts.

from the coast of Kittim
"Kittim" refers to a region associated with the descendants of Javan, traditionally identified with Cyprus or the broader Mediterranean area. The Hebrew "כִּתִּים" (Kittim) is often linked to maritime peoples. Archaeologically, Kittim represents a hub of ancient seafaring civilizations, suggesting that the prophecy involves a powerful, seafaring nation. This highlights the interconnectedness of ancient cultures and the influence of distant lands on Israel's history.

they will subdue Asshur
"Asshur" is the Hebrew "אַשּׁוּר" (Ashur), referring to the Assyrian Empire, a dominant force in the ancient Near East. The prophecy that these ships will "subdue Asshur" indicates a significant geopolitical shift. Historically, Assyria was known for its military prowess and expansive empire. The subjugation of Asshur implies a reversal of power, where even the mightiest empires are not immune to divine orchestration and judgment.

and Eber
"Eber" in Hebrew is "עֵבֶר" (Eber), traditionally considered an ancestor of the Hebrews. This term can also represent a broader group of Semitic peoples. The mention of Eber alongside Asshur suggests a widespread impact of the coming force, affecting both the oppressors and the descendants of Eber. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of nations and the overarching sovereignty of God in the affairs of humanity.

but they too will perish forever
The phrase "but they too will perish forever" underscores the transient nature of earthly powers. The Hebrew "וְגַם־הוּא עֲדֵי־אֹבֵד" (vegam-hu adei-oved) conveys a sense of finality and divine judgment. This prophetic declaration serves as a sobering reminder that no matter how powerful a nation may seem, it is ultimately subject to God's eternal plan. The phrase inspires believers to place their trust not in temporal powers but in the eternal sovereignty of God, who holds history in His hands.

(24) And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim.--The Chittim (or, Kittim) are said to have migrated from Ph?nicia to Cyprus, and there founded the city of Citium, the modern Chitti. (See Josephus, "Antiq." i.6, 1.) The name probably applies to the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean generally. The rendering of the Vulgate is Venient in trieribus de Italia; and in Daniel 11:30, which is obviously founded upon this verse, the Vulgate identifies the Kittim with the Romans.

And shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber.--Some understand by Eber the Hebrews only. The word, however, appears to be used in a wider signification, as comprising "all the children of Eber" (Genesis 10:21). Perhaps the word Asshur may here be used to denote the Eastern Shemites, and Eber the Western Shemites.

And he also shall perish for ever--i.e., the victorious power which was to afflict Asshur and Eber. "The overthrow of this last power of the world," says Keil, in loc., "concerning which the prophet Daniel was the first to receive and proclaim new revelations, belongs 'to the end of the days,' in which the star out of Jacob is to rise upon Israel as 'a bright morning-star'" (Revelation 22:16). There is no evidence as to the manner in which Balaam's prophecies came into the hands of the Israelites. It is possible that he may have communicated them to Moses, in the expectation of receiving from him the reward which he had failed to obtain from Balak, or, if captured, in the hope of thereby saving his life.

Verse 24. - Chittim. Cyprus (see on Genesis 10:4). The "isles of Chittim are mentioned by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:10) and by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27:6) in the sense apparently of the western islands generally while in Daniel 11:30 "the ships of Chittim, may have an even wider reference. Indeed the Targum of Palestine makes mention of Italy here, and the Vulgate actually translates "venient in trieribus de Italia." There is, however, no reason to suppose that Balaam knew or spoke of anything further than Cyprus. It was "from the side of" (מִיַּד) Cyprus that the ships of his vision came down upon the Phoenician coasts, wherever their original starting-point may have been. Shall afflict, or, "shall bring low." The same word is used of the oppression of Israel in Egypt (Genesis 15:13). Eber. The Septuagint has here 'Αβραίους, and is followed by the Peschito and the Vulgate. It is not likely, however, that Balaam would have substituted "Eber" for the "Jacob" and "Israel" which he had previously used. The Targum of Onkelos paraphrases "Eber" by "beyond the Euphrates," and that of Palestine has "all the sons of Eber." From Gem 10:21 it would appear that "the children of Eber" were the same as the Shemites; Asshur, therefore, was himself included in Eber, but is separately mentioned on account of his fame and power. And he also shall perish forever. The subject of this prophecy is left in obscurity. It is difficult on grammatical grounds to refer it to Asshur, and it does not seem appropriate to "Eber." It may mean that the unnamed conquering race which should overthrow the Asian monarchies should itself come to an end for evermore; or it may be that Balaam added these words while he beheld with dismay the coming destruction of his own Shemitic race, and their final subjugation by more warlike powers. It must be remembered that the Greek empire, although overthrown, did not by any means "perish for ever" in the same sense as the previous empires of the East.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Ships
וְצִים֙ (wə·ṣîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6716: A ship

[will come] from the coast
מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Kittim;
כִּתִּ֔ים (kit·tîm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3794: Kittim -- a son of Javan, also his descendants and their land

they will subdue
וְעִנּ֥וּ (wə·‘in·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

Asshur
אַשּׁ֖וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

and Eber,
עֵ֑בֶר (‘ê·ḇer)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5677: Eber -- 'region beyond', a descendant of Shem, also the name of several Israelites

but they
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

too
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

will perish
אֹבֵֽד׃ (’ō·ḇêḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8: Wretched, destruction

forever.”
עֲדֵ֥י (‘ă·ḏê)
Preposition
Strong's 5703: A, terminus, duration, advance, perpetuity


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OT Law: Numbers 24:24 But ships shall come from the coast (Nu Num.)
Numbers 24:23
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