Discovery BoxNumbers 24:4 
Context24:4 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
although falling flat on the ground 1 with eyes open: 2
Numbers 24:20-21
Context24:20 Then Balaam 3 looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: 4
“Amalek was the first 5 of the nations,
but his end will be that he will perish.”
24:21 Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle:
“Your dwelling place seems strong,
and your nest 6 is set on a rocky cliff.
1 tn The phrase “flat on the ground” is supplied in the translation for clarity. The Greek version interprets the line to mean “falling asleep.” It may mean falling into a trance.
2 tn The last colon simply has “falling, but opened eyes.” The falling may simply refer to lying prone; and the opened eyes may refer to his receiving a vision. See H. E. Freeman, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, 37-41.
3 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Balaam) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Heb “and he lifted up his oracle and said.” So also in vv. 21, 23.
5 sn This probably means that it held first place, or it thought that it was “the first of the nations.” It was not the first, either in order or greatness.
6 sn A pun is made on the name Kenite by using the word “your nest” (קִנֶּךָ, qinnekha); the location may be the rocky cliffs overlooking Petra.
