Numbers 24 · a question people ask
Is the star in 24:17 about Jesus?
The New Testament never quotes or cites Numbers 24:17, so the answer is a reading, and Christians read it in three main ways. All agree on what the verse itself says: Balaam sees someone far off, "I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near" (24:17), a ruler, "A scepter will rise out of Israel" (24:17) and "Out of Jacob shall one have dominion" (24:19), and he speaks of "the latter days" (24:14).
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
A king of Israel
Some read the star and scepter as a king of Israel, and point to David. The saying names Moab and Edom: the scepter "shall strike through the corners of Moab" (24:17), and "Edom shall be a possession" (24:18). Of David the Bible says, "He defeated Moab… The Moabites became servants to David" (2 Samuel 8:2), and "all the Edomites became servants to David" (2 Samuel 8:14).
Numbers 24:17-18 · 2 Samuel 8:2 · 2 Samuel 8:14
The coming Christ
Others read it as a promise of the Christ, since Balaam sees him "not near" (24:17) and speaks of "the latter days" (24:14). They set it beside the wise men's words, "we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2), and beside Jesus's own words, "I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16).
Numbers 24:14 · Numbers 24:17 · Matthew 2:2 · Revelation 22:16
Both
Others hold both: a king seen first in David (2 Samuel 8:2, 8:14) and fully in David's son. The angel told Mary, "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:32-33), and Jesus calls himself "the root and the offspring of David" (Revelation 22:16). On this reading the scepter out of Israel runs through David's line to Jesus.
2 Samuel 8:2 · 2 Samuel 8:14 · Luke 1:32-33 · Revelation 22:16
The verses
“Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.””
“I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly. Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city.””