Numbers 24 · Verse 18

Numbers 24:18

And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
Numbers 24:18, King James Version

Numbers 24:18 in other translations

BSBEdom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
WEBEdom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
ASVAnd Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession, who were his enemies; While Israel doeth valiantly.
YLTAnd Edom hath been a possession, And Seir hath been a possession, for its enemies, And Israel is doing valiantly;
DARBYAnd Edom shall be a possession, and Seir a possession, — they, his enemies; but Israel will do valiantly.
BBEEdom will be his heritage, and he will put an end to the last of the people of Seir.
WebsterAnd Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

What does Numbers 24:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. Edom shall be a possession--This prophecy was accomplished by David (2Sa 8:14). Seir--seen in the south, and poetically used for Edom. The double conquest of Moab and Edom is alluded to (Psa 60:8; 108:9).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 And Edom shall be a possession - That is, to David: as it is said: "And all they of Edom became David's servants;" 2Sam 8:14. Seir also shall be a possession - That is, unto the king Messiah; as it is said: "And saviours shall come upon Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's;" Oba 1:21. See Ainsworth.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Numbers 24:15-25

Under the powerful influence of the Spirit of prophecy, Balaam foretold the future prosperity and extensive dominion of Israel. Balaam boasts that his eyes are open. The prophets were in old times called seers. He had heard the words of God, which many do who neither heed them, nor hear God in them. He knew the knowledge of the Most High. A man may be full of the knowledge of God, yet utterly destitute of the grace…

Read the full comment on Numbers 24:15-25 →

Numbers 24:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהָיָ֨הve.ha.Yahand it will beH1961
אֱד֜וֹם'e.DomEdomH123
יְרֵשָׁ֗הye.re.Shaha possessionH3424
וְהָיָ֧הve.ha.Yahand it will beH1961
יְרֵשָׁ֛הye.re.Shaha possessionH3424
שֵׂעִ֖ירse.'IrSeirH8165
אֹיְבָ֑יו'o.ye.Vavenemies itsH341
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לve.Yis.ra.'Eland IsraelH3478
עֹ֥שֶׂה'O.seh[will be] doingH6213
חָֽיִל\׃Cha.yilstrengthH2428

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Numbers 24:18

  • Amos 9:12

    That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this.

  • 2 Samuel 8:14

    And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

  • Genesis 27:29

    Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

  • Isaiah 63:1

    Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

  • Psalms 60:8-12

    Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. …

  • Isaiah 34:5

    For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

  • Genesis 27:40

    And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

  • Genesis 32:3

    And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

  • Psalms 60:1

    To the chief Musician upon Shushan–eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram–naharaim and with Aram–zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ge 27:29,40; 2Sa 8:14; Ps 60:1; *title
Ps 60:8-12; Isa 34:5; 63:1; Am 9:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Numbers 24:17

    I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

  • Numbers 24:18

    And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

  • Numbers 24:19

    Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Read all of Numbers 24

Numbers 24:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y será tomada Edom, será también tomada Seir por sus enemigos, e Israel se portará varonilmente.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Édom sera une possession, et Séhir sera une possession,… eux, ses ennemis; et Israël agira avec puissance.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Edom wird ein Besitz sein und Seir ein Besitz, sie, seine Feinde; und Israel wird Mächtiges tun.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et erit Idumæa possessio ejus: hæreditas Seir cedet inimicis suis: Israël vero fortiter aget.