Note: the first prophecy of Balaam uses regular parallelisms. But is there also an introverted structure? Balaam begins and ends with reference to himself – A/A’. Then Jacob/Israel is mentioned – B/B’. C and C’ both refer to the unique position of Israel amongst the nations as blessed of God. D again refers to what Balaam himself can see before him of the encampment of Israel (with the pillar of fire on the Tabernacle) on the plains of Moab. 

7 And he took up his parable, and said,

A.  Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram,
out of the mountains of the east, saying,

(more literally – From Aram has brought me Balak,                                                                      the king of Moab from the eastern mountains.)

B. Come, curse me Jacob,
and come, defy Israel.

C. 8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?
or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?

D. 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him,
         and from the hills I behold him:

C’. lo, the people shall dwell alone,
and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

B’. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob,
and the number of the fourth part of Israel?

A’.  Let me die the death of the righteous,
and let my last end be like his.

Note: One writer (drawing attention to assonance and alliteration) has an ABA’ structure as follows;