Numbers 24

Jehovah

Jehovah (LORD) - the covenant God of Israel, the premortal Jesus Christ

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. Numbers 24:1

Balaam finally gives up his enchantments because he sees that it pleases the LORD to bless Israel. The Church's footnote sends the reader to latter-day revelations where the Lord Jesus Christ says He delights to bless and honor His people.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• the same title in D&C 41:1 — The Lord: 'ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings.'
• the same title in D&C 76:5 — 'I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness.'

Messiah (the promised King)

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. Numbers 24:7–9

Balaam foresees an exalted king over Israel and pictures Israel as a lion no one dares to wake, using almost the same words Jacob used for Judah, the tribe of the coming ruler. Its first fulfillment was Israel's kings (Saul fought Agag), but the image reaches toward Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• alludes to Genesis 49:9 — Judah 'couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?' - the Church footnote note9_a makes this exact cross-reference.

Star out of Jacob

Star out of Jacob — a heavenly light rising from Israel's own line; Sceptre — the royal staff, the right to rule

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 24:17

Balaam sees a future Person far off ("not now... not nigh"): a Star born of Jacob's descendants and a King holding the sceptre of Israel. Christians and Latter-day Saints read this as a prophecy of Jesus Christ, whose birth was announced by a new star and who calls Himself the bright and morning star.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Genesis 49:10 — The sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come.
• fulfilled by Matthew 2:2 — The wise men: "we have seen his star in the east" at the birth of the King of the Jews.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 1:21 — A new star appears in the Americas at the Savior's birth, as prophesied.
• alluded to by Revelation 22:16 — Jesus: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

Messiah (the promised King)

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. Numbers 24:19

Continuing the Star prophecy, Balaam foretells a ruler from Jacob's line whose rule will prevail over every enemy. The unnamed "he" is the same coming King, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• alludes to Genesis 49:10 — The ruler's sceptre promised to Judah.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Gabriel: He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; of His kingdom there shall be no end.