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.

[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.