Numbers 23:10

“Who can count, the dust of Jacob, etc.] The people of Israel, their posterity so called, not because of their original, the dust of the earth, but because of their numbers, being as numerous as the dust of the earth, or sand of the sea, as it was promised they should be, (<012814>Genesis 28:14) and which is here confirmed by the prophecy of Balaam: and the number of the fourth part of Israel; one of the four camps of Israel, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; for this people was divided into four camps, under so many standards, which were those of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan, (see <040201>Numbers 2:1-34), and one of them is represented by Balaam as so numerous, as not to be counted,…”

“Who can count the dust of Jacob?--an Oriental hyperbole for a very populous nation, as Jacob's posterity was promised to be (Gen 13:16; Gen 28:14). the number of the fourth part of Israel--that is, the camp consisted of four divisions; every one of these parts was formidable in numbers. Let me die the death of the righteous--Hebrew, "of Jeshurun"; or, the Israelites. The meaning is: they are a people happy, above all others, not only in life, but at death, from their knowledge of the true God, and their hope through His grace. Balaam is a representative of a large class in the world, who express a wish for the blessedness which Christ has promised to His people but are averse to imitate the…”

“The fourth part of Israel - i. e., each one of the four camps, into which the host of Israel was divided (see Numbers 2:0), seemed to swarm with innumerable multitudes. Possibly Balaam could only see one camp. Balaam bears testimony in this verse to the fulfillment of the promises in Genesis 13:16; Genesis 28:14. The righteous - i. e., the ancestors of Israel, who “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off” Hebrews 11:13. With their histories Balaam was familiar, particularly with that of Abraham, “the righteous man” whom God had “raised up from the east (and) called to His foot” Isaiah 41:2. Let my last end be like his - Render rather, “last estate,” for…”

“The dust - The numberless people of Jacob or Israel, who according to God's promise, are now become as the dust of the earth. Of the righteous - Of this righteous and holy people. The sense is, they are not only happy above other nations in this life, and therefore in vain should I curse them, but they have this peculiar privilege, that they are happy after death: their happiness begins where the happiness of other people ends; and therefore I heartily wish that my soul may have its portion with theirs when I die. Was not God now again striving with him, not only for the sake of Israel, but of his own soul? Numbers 23:12”

“can count: Gen 13:16, Gen 22:17, Gen 28:14 the dust: i.e. The posterity of Jacob, which was to be so numerous as to resemble the dust. the fourth: Num 2:9, Num 2:16, Num 2:24, Num 2:31 me: Heb. my soul, or, my life the death: Psa 37:37, Psa 116:15; Pro 14:32; Isa 57:1, Isa 57:2; Luk 2:29, Luk 2:30; Co1 3:21, Co1 3:22; Co1 15:53-57; Co2 5:1; Phi 1:21-23; Ti2 4:6-8; Pe2 1:13-15; Rev 14:13 Numbers 23:11”