Note: is there a higher order structure to this this parable of Balaam? Verses 5-7a refer to Israel’s encampment and their miraculous supply of water, verse 7b-9a refer to Israel having supremacy as a future kingdom. Verse 9b is a quote of  the promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. 

3 And he took up his parable, and said,
Balaam the son of Beor hath said,

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

b. 4 He hath said, which heard the words of God,

b’. which saw the vision of the Almighty,

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

5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,
and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6 As the valleys are they spread forth,
as gardens by the river’s side,

as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted,
and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets,
and his seed shall be in many waters,

and his king shall be higher than Agag,
and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 God brought him forth out of Egypt;
he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn:

he shall eat up the nations his enemies,
and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9 He couched, he lay down as a lion,
and as a great lion: who shall stir him up?

Blessed is he that blesseth thee,
and cursed is he that curseth thee.