The Meaning of Numbers 24:19 Explained

Numbers 24:19

KJV: Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

YLT: And one doth rule out of Jacob, And hath destroyed a remnant from Ar.'

Darby: And one out of Jacob shall have dominion, and will destroy out of the city what remaineth.

ASV: And out of Jacob shall one have dominion, And shall destroy the remnant from the city.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Out of Jacob  shall come he that shall have dominion,  and shall destroy  him that remaineth  of the city. 

What does Numbers 24:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 24:15-25 - The "star Out Of Jacob"
When your heart is dismayed because of the hatred and opposition of Satan; the great accuser, turn to this chapter. If he stands up to resist, the Son of God stands in your defense. The Eternal God is on your side, not because you are perfect, but because you have linked your little life with Jesus Christ in His glory and beauty. In Deuteronomy 23:5 we learn the blessed secret that explained Balaam's failure.
Balaam describes in glowing anticipation Israel's future, and his forecast is marvelously accurate. It is clear that a man may speak the truth of which his soul is destitute, as a marble fountain may dispense water which it does not taste.
Balaam started for his home, but never reached it. You may long to die the death of the righteous, but it is a vain dream unless you live their life. Compare Numbers 23:10 with 31:8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 24

1  Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel
10  Balak, in anger, dismisses him
15  He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations

What do the individual words in Numbers 24:19 mean?

And one shall have dominion Out of Jacob and destroy the remains of the city
וְיֵ֖רְדְּ מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֑ב וְהֶֽאֱבִ֥יד שָׂרִ֖יד מֵעִֽיר

וְיֵ֖רְדְּ  And  one  shall  have  dominion 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: רָדָה 
Sense: to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down.
מִֽיַּעֲקֹ֑ב  Out  of  Jacob 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
וְהֶֽאֱבִ֥יד  and  destroy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָבַד  
Sense: perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed.
שָׂרִ֖יד  the  remains 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׂרִיד  
Sense: survivor, remnant, that which is left.
מֵעִֽיר  of  the  city 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.