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.

NUMBERS 24:9KJV
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Numbers 24:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 24:9 mean?

Numbers 24:9 describes Israel as a powerful and secure nation, compared to a lion resting confidently, with a warning that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. The verse emphasizes Israel’s protection and the consequences for how others treat them.

In this scene, the prophet Balaam is speaking to Balak, the king of Moab, who had hired him to curse Israel. Instead, Balaam delivers a message from God, highlighting Israel’s strength and untouchable status. The verse uses vivid animal imagery to show Israel’s security and ends with a clear statement about blessings and curses, echoing earlier promises made to Abraham.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 24:9

  • "couched" (כָּרַע, karaʿ): This word means to crouch or lie down, often used for animals at rest. Here, it paints a picture of Israel as a lion at ease, not threatened or disturbed.
  • "lion" (אַרְיֵה, aryeh) and "great lion" (לָבִיא, lavi): Both words refer to lions, but "lavi" often means a mature or strong lion. The use of both terms stresses Israel’s might and dignity.
  • "Blessed" and "blesseth" (בָּרוּךְ, barukh): This word means to speak well of or to bestow favor. The verse promises good to those who wish good for Israel.
  • "cursed" and "curseth" (אָרַר, arar): This word means to speak harm or invoke misfortune. The verse warns that those who wish harm on Israel will themselves face harm.

Why Numbers 24:9 matters

  • Numbers 24:9 makes clear that Israel’s security comes from God, not from their own strength or alliances, which is a key theme throughout the book.
  • The verse repeats the promise first given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, connecting Israel’s story to God’s larger plan and showing continuity in God’s promises.
  • The animal imagery helps readers picture Israel’s position: not aggressive, but unassailable, and warns outsiders that any attack or blessing toward Israel will have direct consequences.

Where else these words appear

“lion” Hebrew H3833 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Job 38:39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
  • Ezekiel 19:2 And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

“couched” Hebrew H3766 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
  • Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

“cursed” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
  • Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

“lion” Hebrew H738 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 17:26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
  • Jeremiah 2:30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.