Numbers 23:9

23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see them; ¹ 

from the hills I watch them. ² 

Indeed, a nation that lives alone,

and it will not be reckoned ³  among the nations.

Psalms 45:9

45:9 Princesses ⁴  are among your honored guests, ⁵ 

your bride ⁶  stands at your right hand, wearing jewelry made with gold from Ophir. ⁷ 

Galatians 4:26

4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, ⁸  and she is our mother.

Ephesians 4:3-6

4:3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

[23:9]  ¹ tn Heb “him,” but here it refers to the Israelites (Israel).

[23:9]  ² sn Balaam reports his observation of the nation of Israel spread out below him in the valley. Based on that vision, and the Lord’s word, he announces the uniqueness of Israel – they are not just like one of the other nations. He was correct, of course; they were the only people linked with the living God by covenant.

[23:9]  ³ tn The verb could also be taken as a reflexive – Israel does not consider itself as among the nations, meaning, they consider themselves to be unique.

[45:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “daughters of kings.”

[45:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “valuable ones.” The form is feminine plural.

[45:9]  ⁶ tn This rare Hebrew noun apparently refers to the king’s bride, who will soon be queen (see Neh 2:6). The Aramaic cognate is used of royal wives in Dan 5:2-3, 23.

[45:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “a consort stands at your right hand, gold of Ophir.”

[4:26]  ⁸ sn The meaning of the statement the Jerusalem above is free is that the other woman represents the second covenant (cf. v. 24); she corresponds to the Jerusalem above that is free. Paul’s argument is very condensed at this point.