Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, etc.] This should be rendered 'I see him' (i.e. the Israel of the future, and specially the Star who is to rise among them) '.. I behold him.. A Star is risen out of Jacob..' To the eye of Balaam, in his spiritual ecstasy, the future stands out as the present. A Star] A common symbol of a brilliant ruler: cp. Isaiah 14:12; Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 22:16 and the expression 'hosts of heaven.' For the sceptre as the symbol of authority see Genesis 49:10; Psalms 110:2. This prediction refers in the first place to David, who 'smote Moab and Edom' (2 Samuel 8:2; 2 Samuel 8:14, cp. Psalms 60:8.), but applies also to 'David's greater Son.' From early times the Jewish commentators have interpreted the prophecy as Messianic. The name Barcochba (i.e. 'Son of a star') was assumed by one who claimed to be the Messiah, not long after the time of our Lord, taking the title no doubt from this prophecy of Balaam. Christians will see in the words of Balaam a prophecy of Jesus, the true Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He Himself, and not the star which was seen at His birth (Matthew 2:2), is the fulfilment of the prediction. Children of Sheth] RV 'the children of tumult,' as in the parallel passage Jeremiah 48:45, where another word from the same root is used.