Numbers 24:20

“And when he looked on Amalek, etc.] The country of Amalek, which lay to the south of the land of Canaan, (<041329>Numbers 13:29) and which Balaam had a view of from the mountain of Peor, where he now was: and he took up his parable, and said; the parable of his prophecy, as the Targum of Jonathan, and pronounced it aloud: Amalek was the first of the nations; not the first nation in the world, nor the chief and principal for numbers, riches, or strength, but the first that made war with Israel, as all the three Targums paraphrase it, as they did, (see <021708>Exodus 17:8), but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever; this was threatened to them by the Lord upon that battle, and is…”

“Amalek . . . his latter end shall be that he perish for ever--Their territory was seen at the remote extremity of the desert. (See on Exo 17:13; also 1Sa. 15:1-35).”

“When he looked - i. e., in spirit, as he saw the Star Numbers 24:17. Amalek was the first of the nations - Rather, is pre-eminent among the neighboring nations: compare the same expression in Amos 6:1. Hence, the force of the words Numbers 24:7 “higher than Agag,” i. e., than the king of this powerful nation (compare Numbers 14:45; Exodus 17:8). This rank, due to the warlike prowess of the tribe, Balaam contrasts with its approaching downfall and extinction. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He looked on Amalek - From the top of Pisgah, which was exceeding high, and gave him the prospect of part of all these kingdoms. The first - Heb. the firstfruits; so called either, because they were the first of all the neighbouring nations which were embodied together in one government: or, because he was the first who fought against Israel and was vanquished by them. That victory was an earnest and first - fruit of the large harvest of victories which the Israelites should in due time get over all their enemies. He shall perish for ever - He began with God and with Israel, but God will end with him, and the firm purpose of God is, that he shall be utterly destroyed; so that Saul lost his…”

“the first of the nations: or, the first of the nations that warred against Israel, Exo 17:8, Exo 17:16 his latter end: Jdg 6:3; Sa1 14:48, Sa1 15:3-8, Sa1 27:8, Sa1 27:9, Sa1 30:1, Sa1 30:17; Ch1 4:43; Est 3:1; Est 7:9, Est 7:10, Est 9:14 shall be that he perish for ever: or, shall be even to destruction, Exo 17:14; Sa1 15:3, Sa1 15:8 Numbers 24:21”

“The second saying in this prophecy relates to the Amalekites. Balaam sees them, not with the eyes of his body, but in a state of ecstasy, like the star out of Jacob. "Beginning of the heathen is Amalek, and its end is destruction." Amalek is called the beginning of the nations, not "as belonging to the most distinguished and foremost of the nations in age, power, and celebrity" (Knobel), - for in all these respects this Bedouin tribe, which descended from a grandson of Esau, was surpassed by many other nations, - but as the first heathen nation which opened the conflict of the heathen nations against Israel as the people of God (see at Exo 17:8.). As its beginning had been enmity against…”