Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
The office of prophets was both to bless and to prophesy in the name of the Lord. Balaam, as a prophet, per force had blessed Israel; here he foretels future events. I. His preface is much the same as that, Num 24:3, Num 24:4. He personates a true prophet admirably well, God permitting and directing him to do so, because, whatever he was, the prophecy itself was a true prophecy.
Commenting on Numbers 24:15-25
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion,.... Meaning either David, or rather the Messiah; and so Jarchi interprets this of another ruler out of Jacob, even of the Messiah, of whom it is said, he shall have dominion from sea to sea; Psa 72:8, and shall destroy him, that remaineth of the city; chief city of Edom, or of any of the...
Edom shall be a possession--This prophecy was accomplished by David (Sa2 8:14). Seir--seen in the south, and poetically used for Edom. The double conquest of Moab and Edom is alluded to (Psa 60:8; Psa 108:9).