This verse uses four similes to describe what the beauty of the Israelites’ dwelling places was like. In Hebrew each line of this verse starts with the preposition k (like).
Like valleys that stretch afar: The Hebrew word for valleys (nachal) can also mean “date palms.” Both alternatives fit this context. Renderings that follow the first alternative are “brook valleys” (Zürcher Bibel), “wadis” (La Nouvelle Bible Segond; see 13.23), and “streams” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). New International Version, Bijbel in Gewone Taal, and Willibrordvertaling say “valleys” like Revised Standard Version. Models that follow the second alternative are “palm groves” (New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “palm trees” (De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling), and “palms” (Good News Translation, SPCL). In the rendering “long rows of palms” (Good News Translation), the phrase “long rows of” renders the verb stretch afar. If translators choose to render “date palms,” they will probably have a close local equivalent or a loanword available.
Like gardens beside a river: The Hebrew word for gardens can refer to vegetable gardens or orchards. Either sense fits this context.
Like aloes that the LORD has planted: The Hebrew word for aloes probably refers to the eaglewood tree, also known as the agarwood tree. It is a large tree that may reach a height of 35-40 meters (115-132 feet). Its wood is aromatic. It is native to Southeast Asia and northern India. It may seem unlikely that one of Balaam’s oracles should mention a tree that is not indigenous. However, such aromatic trees were probably imported for decorative use at royal courts in the ancient Near East. The language seems to be more poetic than precise. The words here are not to be understood as an exact portrait of the land of Canaan. So if no close local equivalent is available for aloes, a general expression may be used, such as “beautiful trees” or “sweet-smelling trees.” This is the first (and only) mention of the LORD by Balaam in his oracles, so it underscores the importance of the apparent turning point here and the prophetic influence of “the spirit of God” (verse 2). Some languages will have different words available for planted, so the term appropriate for trees needs to be chosen.
Like cedar trees beside the waters: For cedar trees, see the comments on 19.6, where the same Hebrew word occurs. The language is poetic here since these trees grow on mountains, not beside water. In this poetry the point is not to give botanical precision, but rather to evoke a total picture of life-giving prosperity among the people of Israel. They are compared here to fragrant and strong trees (so Ashley, page 490).
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .