Numbers 24:23
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God does this!
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Then he went on with his story and said, But who may keep his life when God does this?
Webster's Revision
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
World English Bible
He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?
Definitions for Numbers 24:23
Clarke's Numbers 24:23 Bible Commentary
Who shall live when God doeth this! - There are two senses in which these words may be taken: -
1. That the event is so distant that none then alive could possibly live to see it.
2. That the times would be so distressing and desolating that scarcely any should be able to escape.
The words are very similar to those of our Lord, and probably are to be taken in the same sense: "Wo to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days."
Barnes's Numbers 24:23 Bible Commentary
When God doeth this - The eventual carrying away of the allies of Israel by Assyria presented itself to Balaam as the ruin of all peace and safety upon earth. One prediction was howerer, yet wanting, and is next given, namely, that the conquerors of the Kenites should fare no better than the Kenites themselves.
Wesley's Numbers 24:23 Bible Commentary
24:23 Who shall live - How calamitous and miserable will the state of the world be, when the Assyrian, and after him the Chaldean, shall over - turn all these parts of the world? Who will be able to keep his heart from fainting under such grievous pressures? Nay, how few will escape the destroying sword?
