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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Numbers 24:7 - 24:7
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He, i.e. God, will abundantly water the valleys, gardens, and trees, is which represent the Israelites, Num_24:6, i.e. he will wonderfully bless his people, not only with outward blessings, of which a chief one in those parts was plenty of water, but also with higher gifts and graces, with his word and Spirit, which are often signified by waters, Joh_3:5 Joh_4:10 7:38,39, and at last with eternal life, the contemplation whereof made Balaam desire to die the death of the righteous. Others thus, God shall make his posterity numerous; for the procreation of children is oft signified by waters, fountains, cisterns, &c., as Psa_68:26 Pro_5:15,18 9:17 Isa_48:1. But there is no necessity of flying to metaphors here, and therefore the other being the literal and proper sense, is by the laws of good interpretation to be preferred before it.
In many waters: this also may be literally understood of their seed, which shall be sown in waterish ground, and therefore bring forth a better increase, Isa_32:20. Others thus, His seed shall be so numerous, that it shall branch forth into many people, the several tribes being reckoned and sometimes called several people. Or, his seed shall rule over many people or nations, which are sometimes signified by many waters, as Psa_144:7 Isa_57:20 Jer_47:2 Rev_17:15. But here also the literal sense seems best. His king, i.e. the king of Israel; either God, who was in a peculiar manner their King or Ruler, Num_23:21 Jud_6:13 1Sa_8:7 Isa_33:22; or their chief governor or governors, whether king or others; for Moses called their king, Deu_33:5, and the judges were in a manner kings.
Than Agag, i.e. than the king of the Amalekites, which king and people were famous and potent in that age, Num_24:20, as may be guessed by their bold attempt upon so numerous a people as Israel was. And it is probably thought by the Jewish and other interpreters, that the Amalekitish kings, as Abimelech was of the Philistines, and Pharaoh of the Egyptians, and Caesar of the Romans. But though this king only be instanced in, yet other kings, to wit, such as did or should border upon the Israelites, are doubtless to be understood, above whom the kings and people of Israel sometimes were advanced, and oftener should have been, if they had not been their own hinderance by their sins. Some make this a prophecy of Saul’s conquering Agag and his people, 1Sa_15:7,8. But the words seem to be more general, and to signify a greater honour and advantage to Israel than that was.