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.

NUMBERS 24:20KJV
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Numbers 24:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 24:20 mean?

Numbers 24:20 records Balaam looking at the people of Amalek and declaring that although Amalek was the first among the nations, its ultimate fate would be complete destruction. The verse highlights both Amalek’s early prominence and its eventual downfall, as foretold by Balaam.

In this scene, Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet hired by Balak, is delivering a prophecy about the future of Israel’s enemies. Here, Balaam singles out Amalek, recognizing its early strength ("first of the nations") but also announcing that Amalek’s end will be utter ruin. This fits into a series of oracles where Balaam describes the destinies of various peoples surrounding Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 24:20

  • "parable" (מָשָׁל, mashal): This word means more than just a story; it refers to a prophetic saying or oracle, often with a poetic or weighty tone. Balaam’s words are not casual but are meant as a serious, divinely inspired message.
  • "first" (רֵאשִׁית, re’shith): This word can mean "beginning" or "chief." Here, it points to Amalek’s early or leading role among the nations, possibly as a significant or prominent group in the region’s history.
  • "perish" (אָבַד, avad): This verb means "to be destroyed" or "to vanish." The prophecy is not just about defeat but about complete obliteration, emphasizing the totality of Amalek’s end.
  • "ever" (עַד, ad): This word means "forever" or "continually." The destruction of Amalek is described as permanent, not just temporary.

Why Numbers 24:20 matters

  • Numbers 24:20 clarifies that Amalek’s early power did not guarantee lasting success; their prominence would not save them from eventual destruction.
  • The verse connects to earlier biblical stories where Amalek opposed Israel, showing that their hostility would have lasting consequences.
  • This prophecy fits into the wider passage where Balaam, though hired to curse Israel, ends up declaring the downfall of Israel’s enemies, emphasizing God’s control over the fate of nations.

Where else these words appear

“perish” Hebrew H8 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

“Amalek” Hebrew H6002 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
  • Judges 3:13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.
  • 1 Samuel 15:8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

“parable” Hebrew H4912 · used in 39 verses

  • Numbers 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
  • Job 13:12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

“first” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.