Bilangan 14:12

14:12 I will strike them with the pestilence, ¹  and I will disinherit them; I will make you into a nation that is greater and mightier than they!”

Bilangan 23:9

23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see them; ² 

from the hills I watch them. ³ 

Indeed, a nation that lives alone,

and it will not be reckoned ⁴  among the nations.

[14:12]  ¹ tc The Greek version has “death.”

[23:9]  ² tn Heb “him,” but here it refers to the Israelites (Israel).

[23:9]  ³ sn Balaam reports his observation of the nation of Israel spread out below him in the valley. Based on that vision, and the Lord’s word, he announces the uniqueness of Israel – they are not just like one of the other nations. He was correct, of course; they were the only people linked with the living God by covenant.

[23:9]  ⁴ tn The verb could also be taken as a reflexive – Israel does not consider itself as among the nations, meaning, they consider themselves to be unique.