Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. New Living Translation Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. English Standard Version Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. Berean Standard Bible Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. Berean Literal Bible And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession for his enemies, and Israel will act valiantly. King James Bible And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. New King James Version “And Edom shall be a possession; Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession, While Israel does valiantly. New American Standard Bible “And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. NASB 1995 “Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. NASB 1977 “And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also shall be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. Legacy Standard Bible And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. Amplified Bible “Edom shall be [taken as] a possession, [Mount] Seir, Israel’s enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. Berean Annotated Bible Edom (red) will become a possession, as will Seir (shaggy), his enemy; but Israel (he wrestles with God) will perform with valor. Christian Standard Bible Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. Holman Christian Standard Bible Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant. American Standard Version And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession, who were his enemies; While Israel doeth valiantly. Contemporary English Version Israel will conquer Edom and capture the land of that enemy nation. English Revised Version And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession, which were his enemies; While Israel doeth valiantly. GOD'S WORD® Translation Edom will be conquered, and Seir, his enemy, will be conquered. So Israel will become wealthy. Good News Translation He will conquer his enemies in Edom And make their land his property, While Israel continues victorious. International Standard Version Edom will be a conquered nation and Seir will be Israel's defeated foe, while Israel performs valiantly. NET Bible Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. New Heart English Bible Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly. Webster's Bible Translation And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEdom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. World English Bible Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Edom has been a possession, "" And Seir has been a possession [for] his enemies, "" And Israel is doing valiantly; Berean Literal Bible And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession for his enemies, and Israel will act valiantly. Young's Literal Translation And Edom hath been a possession, And Seir hath been a possession, for its enemies, And Israel is doing valiantly; Smith's Literal Translation And Edom was an inheritance, and the inheritance of Seir was his enemies; and Israel did in strength. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he shall possess Idumea: the inheritance of Seir shall come to their enemies, but Israel shall do manfully Catholic Public Domain Version And he shall possess Idumea; the inheritance of Seir shall fall to their enemies. Yet truly, Israel shall act with strength. New American Bible Edom will be dispossessed, and no survivor is left in Seir. Israel will act boldly, New Revised Standard Version Edom will become a possession, Seir a possession of its enemies, while Israel does valiantly. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Edom shall be his possession; Seir, also the possession of his enemies, shall be his; and Israel shall gain strength. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Adum shall be his inheritance and Seir the inheritance of his enemies will be his, and Israel will possess the power. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession; While Israel doeth valiantly. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Edom shall be an inheritance, and Esau his enemy shall be an inheritance of Israel, and Israel wrought valiantly. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Balaam's Fourth Oracle…17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. 19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”… Cross References Edom will become a possession, Obadiah 1:19 Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead. Amos 9:12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this. 2 Samuel 8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. as will Seir, his enemy; Ezekiel 35:5-9 Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment, / therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you. / I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste and will cut off from it those who come and go. … Obadiah 1:10-14 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. … Amos 1:11-12 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.” but Israel will perform with valor. Psalm 60:12 With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies. Psalm 108:13 With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies. 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.” Isaiah 11:14 They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. Psalm 60:8 Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Psalm 108:9 Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Jeremiah 49:7-22 Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? … Ezekiel 25:12-14 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’ Isaiah 34:5-6 When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. Joel 3:19 Egypt will become desolate, and Edom a desert wasteland, because of the violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. Treasury of Scripture And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Of Jacob Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Psalm 2:1-12 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? … Psalm 72:10,11 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts… shall destroy Psalm 21:7-10 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved… Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Luke 19:12,27 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return… Jump to Previous Conquered Dispossessed End Enemies Enemy Heritage Israel Last Performs Possession Seir Se'ir Strong ValiantlyJump to Next Conquered Dispossessed End Enemies Enemy Heritage Israel Last Performs Possession Seir Se'ir Strong ValiantlyNumbers 24 1. Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel10. Balak, in anger, dismisses him 15. He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations Edom will become a possession Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, often found itself in conflict with Israel. Historically, Edom was located southeast of Israel, in what is now southern Jordan. The prophecy of Edom becoming a possession reflects the ongoing tension and eventual subjugation of Edom by Israel. This is seen in the reign of King David, who conquered Edom (2 Samuel 8:14). Theologically, Edom often symbolizes opposition to God's people, and its subjugation represents the triumph of God's purposes. as will Seir, his enemy but Israel will perform with valor Persons / Places / Events 1. EdomA nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Historically, Edom was often in conflict with Israel. The prophecy of Edom's conquest signifies the triumph of God's chosen people over their adversaries. 2. Seir A mountainous region associated with Edom. The mention of Seir emphasizes the complete subjugation of Edom, as Seir was a central part of Edomite territory. 3. Israel The nation chosen by God, descended from Jacob. The prophecy foretells Israel's strength and victory, symbolizing God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises. 4. Balaam A prophet who, despite being hired to curse Israel, delivers a series of blessings and prophecies concerning Israel's future, including this one about Edom and Seir. 5. Balak The Moabite king who hired Balaam to curse Israel. His plans are thwarted as Balaam speaks God's words of blessing over Israel instead. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and FaithfulnessGod's plans and purposes prevail despite human intentions. Balaam's prophecy demonstrates that God's word will be fulfilled, and His promises to His people are sure. The Consequences of Opposition to God's People Edom's eventual subjugation serves as a warning against opposing God's chosen people. It highlights the futility of resisting God's will. Strength in God's Promises Israel's prophesied strength is a reminder that true strength comes from reliance on God's promises. Believers today can find confidence in God's faithfulness. The Importance of Obedience and Trust Just as Israel was called to trust in God's deliverance, Christians are called to live in obedience and trust in God's plan for their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 24:18?2. How does Numbers 24:18 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and lands? 3. What does "Edom will become a possession" reveal about God's promises to Israel? 4. How can we trust God's plans for nations today, as seen in Numbers 24:18? 5. Connect Numbers 24:18 with God's covenant promises in Genesis 12:1-3. 6. How should believers respond to God's control over nations, as shown in Numbers 24:18? 7. How does Numbers 24:18 reflect God's sovereignty over nations? 8. What historical context supports the prophecy in Numbers 24:18? 9. How does Numbers 24:18 relate to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 24? 11. How does Obadiah 1:18 align with or conflict against evidence of Edomite survival or assimilation in later history? 12. Numbers 20:14-21 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage? 13. How can God renew a covenant with Israel in Jeremiah 3:1-8 despite Deuteronomy 24:1-4 forbidding reunions after divorce? 14. Is the law of Moses useful? Yes. All scripture is... profitable... (2 Timothy 3:16) No. . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... (Hebrews 7:18) What Does Numbers 24:18 Mean Edom will become a possession“Edom will become a possession” (Numbers 24:18) speaks of the eventual subjugation of the nation descended from Esau. Scripture presents Edom as a long-standing adversary of Israel (Genesis 25:23; Numbers 20:14-21; Psalm 137:7). God, through Balaam’s oracle, foretells that the land and people who opposed His covenant family would come under Israel’s control. • Historical snapshots of fulfillment: – David “struck down eighteen thousand Edomites” and “placed garrisons in Edom” (2 Samuel 8:13-14). – Amaziah “killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt” (2 Kings 14:7). – These victories trace directly to God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would “possess the gate of their enemies” (Genesis 22:17). • The lesson is clear: no matter how entrenched opposition seems, God’s word stands. Edom’s pride and aggression (Obadiah 1:3-4, 10-14) guaranteed a humbling reversal. as will Seir, his enemy “Seir” is another name for Edom’s mountainous territory (Genesis 36:8-9; Deuteronomy 2:4-5). By repeating the promise—“Seir, his enemy”—the oracle reinforces two truths: • Same foe, same fate. The physical landscape tied to Esau’s lineage would be taken just as surely as Edom’s people. Ezekiel 35 echoes this, declaring judgment on “Mount Seir” for its perpetual hatred. • God names the enemy to underscore accountability. Edom chose hostility when Israel sought peaceful passage (Numbers 20), and that decision carried lasting consequences. • For believers today, the mention of Seir reminds us that God notices both the people and the systems that oppose His purposes. None escape His reach. but Israel will perform with valor The verse concludes, “but Israel will perform with valor.” Two realities shine through: • Divine empowerment: Israel’s courage is no self-generated heroism; it flows from the Lord who fights for them (Deuteronomy 3:22; Joshua 10:42). • Ongoing pattern: – Joshua’s conquests demonstrated it (Joshua 21:44-45). – David’s campaigns expanded it (Psalm 60:12). – Prophets foresee a final, decisive victory when Messiah reigns (Zechariah 10:5; Revelation 19:14-16). In every era, God equips His people to act boldly, whether in military battles of ancient Israel or spiritual warfare today (Ephesians 6:10-11; Romans 8:37). summary Numbers 24:18 assures that God’s covenant promises eclipse every obstacle. Edom and its stronghold Seir, symbols of entrenched opposition, would fall into Israel’s hands, proving the Lord’s faithfulness. At the same time, Israel is pictured not as passive recipients but as valiant participants, courageously taking hold of what God had already decreed. The verse invites us to trust the unbreakable word of God, recognize that every adversary ultimately serves His purposes, and step forward in the valor He supplies. (18) And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also . . . --Better, And Edom shall be a possession, and Seir shall be a possession, for his enemies (i.e., the enemies of Israel, or, rather, of the Ruler who was to rise out of Israel). The Hebrew word (oyebaiv) which is rendered "his enemies" appears to stand in apposition to Edom and Seir, as the word zaraiv (his enemies, or adversaries) in Numbers 24:8 to "the nations." Edom was the name of the people, Seir of the country. (See Genesis 32:3.) The prophecy received its primary accomplishment in the time of David (2Samuel 8:14), but the ultimate accomplishment is to be found in the person and work of Christ (Isaiah 63:1-4).And Israel shall do valiantly.--Or, shall acquire power or wealth. (Comp. Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Ruth 4:11.) . . . Verse 18. - Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies. Seir (Genesis 32:3), or Mount Seir (Genesis 36:8), was the old name, still retained as an alternative, of Edom. It is uncertain whether the rendering "for his (i.e., Edom's) enemies" is correct. The Hebrew is simply אֹיְבָיו, which may stand in apposition to Edom and Seir, "his enemies," i.e., the enemies of Israel. So the Septuagint, Ησαῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς αὐτοῦ. Shall do valiantly, or, "shall be prosperous" (cf. Deuteronomy 8:17; Ruth 4:11).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Edomאֱד֜וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 123: The name of a condiment will become וְהָיָ֨ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a possession, יְרֵשָׁ֗ה (yə·rê·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3424: Possession Seir שֵׂעִ֖יר (śê·‘îr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8165: Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judah will be וְהָיָ֧ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be owned יְרֵשָׁ֛ה (yə·rê·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3424: Possession by his enemies, אֹיְבָ֑יו (’ō·yə·ḇāw) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary but Israel וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (wə·yiś·rā·’êl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc will perform עֹ֥שֶׂה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make with valor. חָֽיִל׃ (ḥā·yil) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength Links Numbers 24:18 NIVNumbers 24:18 NLT Numbers 24:18 ESV Numbers 24:18 NASB Numbers 24:18 KJV Numbers 24:18 BibleApps.com Numbers 24:18 Biblia Paralela Numbers 24:18 Chinese Bible Numbers 24:18 French Bible Numbers 24:18 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 24:18 Edom shall be a possession (Nu Num.) |
    |