Unveiling God’s Plan: The Star Prophecy in Numbers 24:15-19 Revealed

 Jesus is the Star in the Star Prophecy in Numbers

1. This is the introductory article on understanding Balaam’s star prophecy in Numbers, which is about Jesus. This prophecy is found in Numbers 24:15-19. This post is titled “Jesus is the Star in the Star Prophecy.”
2. The second post, concerning the hermeneutic behind my approach, is here. This post is titled, “The Ostensive Hermeneutical Principle: Unlocking the Power of Fee’s Axiom.
3. A third post is pending, which gives some of the biblical support for the second post.

The Holy Word of the LORD. The following prophecy is Balaam’s fourth and final Oracle in a string of prophecies made in Numbers. In Numbers 24:15–19, God makes him declare, 

"[15] And he took up his discourse and said, 
"The oracle of Balaam, the son of Beor, 
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 
[16] the oracle of him who hears the words of God, 
and knows the knowledge of the Most High, 
who sees the vision of the Almighty, 
falling down with his eyes uncovered: 
[17] I see him, but not now; 
I behold him, but not near: 
a star shall come out of Jacob, 
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; 
it shall crush the forehead of Moab 
and break down all the sons of Sheth. 
[18] Edom shall be dispossessed; 
Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. 
Israel is doing valiantly. 
[19] And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion 
and destroy the survivors of cities!"  
(ESV) 

Jesus is the Star that Comes out of Jacob. 

This prophecy connects the star that appeared when Jesus was born. Jesus fulfills Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:15-19. This prophecy tells us that the Bible has long proclaimed that the coming Messiah is also God. God and the promised Redeemer are the same. This tension established a powerful motif within Judaism from its inception. The motif shows us an all-knowing, merciful Creator who also redeems us from sin, as the Messiah promised in Genesis 3:15.  

This motif began eroding in Judaism after the temple’s destruction in AD 70. The inability to atonement for sins, as demanded in the mosaic covenant, gave rise to questions that Judaism still seeks to answer. Evidence is found in the story of one of the Jewish Heroes of a religion struggling with its identity in the Second Century AD.  

Son of the Star

In AD 132, Shimon bar Kozeva arose and led the Jews in revolt against Rome. For a great reason, Rome built a temple to Jupiter on the temple mount. During this time, Rabbi Akiva gave him a different name, “Bar Kokhba.” Which means “son of the star.” Rabbi Akiva did this because he understood Bar Kokhba to be the Messiah. He tied Bar Kozeva to Numbers 24:17. From his mindset, bar Kokhba took on the title of Nasi. The authority behind the title Nasi means the entire world recognized Bar Kokhba as the official leader of the Jewish people. Jews recognized him as their Nasi, who ruled as the religious and political head. Bar Kokhba died, the revolt failed, and the Jews were removed from the City of David. This perspective of the Jewish people of Bar Kokhba tells us two things: 

Because he was Nasi and his nickname connected him to the prophecy in Numbers 24:17, we can confidently say that Jewish leaders did not understand this as a prophecy fulfilled in David at this historical marker. 

There is a connection between the Messiah to the star. In this connection, tensions can be discerned as reflected in the meaning of “bar Kokhba.” Different translations highlight this tension.  

Chizkuni Commentary 

There is tension between the name “son of the star” and the prophecy in Numbers 24:17. The prophecy promises a star. The Chizkuni, a commentary written by Rabbi Hezekiah ben Manoah in the 13th century AD, places the fulfillment of the prophecy on both King David and the Israelites, depending on the phrase. For example, the phrase “I see him but not now;” the “him” Ben Manoah credits to King David. But “a star shall step from Jacob,” the Rabbi indicates that Balaam is saying the Israelites reach a level where they walk among the stars and enlist their support. 

Targum Onkelos 

Targum means “Translation.” These Jewish writings occurred between the 1st through 6th centuries AD. The Targum Onkelos is the primary translation of the Tanakh into Aramaic for Yemenite Jews. Even today, Yemenite Jews memorize this targum as they alternate between it and the Hebrew Scriptures. This targum was written between AD 80 – 120.  

In this translation, we can see how Babylonian Jews understood this prophecy. Notice the words in brackets below. These are the changes in Aramaic from Hebrew. In modern-day vocabulary, this is a dynamic equivalent or functional translation. Jews, at the turn from the 1st century to the 2nd century, understood this prophecy to be unfulfilled. And they looked for a king (replacing the Hebrew word for “star”) and Messiah (rather than “scepter”).  

The Tanakh  

The Hebrew reads:  

17אֶרְאֶ֨נּוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א עַתָּ֔ה אֲשׁוּרֶ֖נּוּ וְלֹ֣א קָרֹ֑וב דָּרַ֨ךְ כֹּוכָ֜ב מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֗ב וְקָ֥ם שֵׁ֨בֶט֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמָחַץ֙ פַּאֲתֵ֣י מֹואָ֔ב וְקַרְקַ֖ר כָּל־בְּנֵי־שֵֽׁת׃ 

I see it,  
but not now. 
I spy it,  
but not near.  
A star marches from Jacob. 
And a scepter arises from Israel. 
And he shatters the corners of Moab.  
And he tears down all the sons of turmoil.  
(My translation).  

LXX 

The Septuagint reads, 

17 δείξω αὐτῷ, καὶ οὐχὶ νῦν· μακαρίζω, καὶ οὐκ ἐγγίζει· ἀνατελεῖ ἄστρον ἐξ ᾿Ιακώβ, ἀναστήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ θραύσει τοὺς ἀρχηγοὺς Μωὰβ καὶ προνομεύσει πάντας υἱοὺς Σήθ.  

I will point to him,  
but not now. 
I exalt,  
but he is not near.  
A star rises from Jacob. 
And a man able to resist comes from Israel. 
And he will shatter the corners of Moab. 
And he will plunder all the sons of Seth.  
(My translation) 

We will investigate many details surrounding this magnificent prophecy. Christianity, from its inception, makes this motif incarnate (i.e., Jesus) its cornerstone. Numbers is part of the Pentateuch, authored by Moses, and given to all future generations before he dies.  

As we explore this prophecy, we will see that Moses knew that the Messiah somehow is also God when he penned the Pentateuch. That is not to say that Moses had a clear picture of future events. Nor did he understand the itemization of the prophecy as it played out. But he understood and believed the promises given to him and trusted God to make what sounded impossible become a reality.  

In the next article, I will define the hermeneutic that gives me this confidence and understanding of the Old Testament. Additionally, I will explore some biblical texts that drive this hermeneutic.  

Links, resources, and notes: 

https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/exodus-era/4919-top-ten-discoveries-related-to-moses-and-the-exod

https://jewsforjesus.org/messianic-prophecies/the-messiah-would-be-the-star-coming-out-of-jacob

https://www.academic-bible.com/en/online-bibles/biblia-hebraica-stuttgartensia-bhs/read-the-bible-text/bibel/text/lesen/stelle/4/240001/249999/ch/1e62207fe46d2913d7fc50d040b7619e/

https://www.sefaria.org/Onkelos_Numbers.24?lang=bi

https://www.sefaria.org/Chizkuni%2C_Numbers.24.17.1?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en

https://www.esv.org/Numbers+24/

http://www.nidainstitute.org/ 

https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11330-nasi

https://app.biblearc.com

I adhere to an early 1446 BC (15th Century BC) date for the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.  This will come into play as we progress in this discussion.