Note: this is the fourth parable of Balaam. The first part to verse 19 is about the ascendancy of Israel as a nation. The second part is the demise of Israel’s enemies.

1a. 15 And he took up his parable,

1b. and said,

1b’. [hath said]

1a’. Balaam the son of Beor,

2a. and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

2b. 16 He hath said, which heard the words of God,

2c. and knew the knowledge of the most High,

2b’. which saw the vision of the Almighty,

2a’. falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17 I shall see him, but not now:
I shall behold him, but not nigh:

3A. there shall come a Star out of Jacob,
and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,

3B. and shall smite the corners of Moab,
and destroy all the children of Sheth.

3B’. 18 And Edom shall be a possession,
Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies;

3A’. and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 [] shall come he that shall have dominion [Out of Jacob] ,
and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said,
Amalek was the first of the nations;
but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.

21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said,
Strong is thy dwelling place,
and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted,
until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.

23 And he took up his parable, and said,

4a. Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

4b. 24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim,
4b’. and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber,

4a’. and he also shall perish for ever.