“Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.”
My Notes
What Does Numbers 23:24 Mean?
Balaam, compelled by God to bless instead of curse, describes Israel as a lion: "the people shall rise up as a great lion... he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey." The image is of unstoppable predatory power—Israel as a lion that, once roused, doesn't rest until the hunt is complete. The enemy isn't just defeated. The enemy is consumed.
The double lion imagery—great lion (labi, a lioness or mature lion) and young lion (ari, a lion in its prime)—covers both mature strength and youthful vigor. Israel's power isn't just experienced. It's energetic. The people have both the wisdom of age and the ferocity of youth. The combination is irresistible.
Balaam speaks this blessing against his will: he was hired to curse Israel and God turns every attempted curse into a blessing. The pagan prophet, trying to earn Balak's money, finds himself delivering God's words about Israel's invincibility. The lion image comes from the mouth of someone who wishes it weren't true. Even Israel's enemies, when God compels them to speak honestly, describe Israel as a lion that nobody can stop.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Do you see yourself as the grasshopper (Numbers 13) or the lion (Numbers 23)? Which is God's assessment?
- 2.Even Balaam—hired to curse—couldn't deny Israel's strength. What truth about you would your enemies be forced to speak if God compelled honesty?
- 3.The lion doesn't lie down until the hunt is finished. What 'hunt' has God put you on that requires that kind of relentless pursuit?
- 4.God turned the hired curse into an unstoppable blessing. What has the enemy intended for your harm that God has already turned?
Devotional
Israel is a lion. Rising. Not lying down until the prey is consumed. The image comes from the mouth of a pagan prophet who was hired to curse—and God turns the curse into a roaring benediction. Even the enemy, when forced to speak truth, describes God's people as unstoppable.
The lion imagery captures something about the people of God that their enemies see more clearly than they see themselves: when God is behind you, you're not prey. You're the predator. The grasshopper self-image the spies had (Numbers 13:33) is corrected by the lion image the prophet delivers. You think you're insects? God says you're lions. You think you're small? Even your enemy, under divine compulsion, describes you as the great beast that doesn't lie down until the hunt is finished.
Balaam wanted to curse. God produced a blessing. The prophet who came to destroy found himself describing Israel's invincibility. This is what happens when God speaks through even unwilling mouths: the truth about His people comes out. The curse that was purchased becomes the blessing that was ordained. The money Balak spent to destroy Israel funded the most powerful description of Israel's strength in the entire Pentateuch.
If your enemies could see you the way God sees you—if they were compelled, like Balaam, to speak the truth about who you are rather than the lies they prefer—they would describe a lion. Not a grasshopper. Not a victim. A lion that rises and doesn't rest until the work is complete. That's who you are in God's economy. Even when you feel small. Even when the spies' report rings louder than the prophet's blessing.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion,.... Or rather, "as the lioness" (n), which, as Aelianus says (o), is…
Here is, I. Preparation made the second time, as before, for the cursing of Israel. 1. The place is changed, Num 23:13.…
Cross References
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