complete verse (Numbers 24:25)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 24:25:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, Balaam left and went to his country and also Balak went to his home.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that Balaam went back home. Balak also went his own way.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Balaam went-home and Balak too.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Numbers 24:25

Then Balaam rose, and went back to his place: After his amazing prophecies regarding Israel and future warfare in and around the land of Israel, Balaam went back home. In this context the verb rose means “got ready” (Good News Translation; see the comments on 16.25). It is debatable whether his place refers to Balaam’s “home” (Good News Translation), that is, the town of Pethor (22.5), since it appears that Balaam was heavily involved on the local scene in Israel’s sinfulness that follows in chapter 25 (see 31.16). So the literal phrase went back to his place could also refer to some other location in the land nearby, or it could be a conventional way of ending a narrative episode (as in Jdg 9.55; 1 Sam 14.46). In any case, no hint is given whether Balaam’s momentous messages had any spiritual impact or effect on him at all.

And Balak also went his way may be rendered simply “and Balak also left” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .