Text -- Numbers 24:24-25 (NET)

24:24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever.” 24:25 Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Num 24:24

¹ tc The MT is difficult. The Kittim refers normally to Cyprus, or any maritime people to the west. W. F. Albright proposed emending the line to “islands will gather in the north, ships from the distant sea” (“The Oracles of Balaam,” JBL 63 [1944]: 222-23). Some commentators accept that reading as the original state of the text, since the present MT makes little sense.

² tn Or perhaps “Assyria” (so NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT).

³ tn Or “it will end in utter destruction.”

NET Notes: Num 24:25

¹ tn Heb “place.”