Bible Strands
Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Balaam addresses Balak, delivering an oracle that describes Israel’s protected status and historical deliverance. The words — The Hebrew מוֹצִיאָם (mo.tzi'Am) translates to "he brings them out," while כְּתוֹעֲפֹת רְאֵם (ke.to'afot re'Em) literally means "like the horns of a wild ox." The thread — This specific phrasing and theme appear in Numbers 24:8, Deuteronomy 33:17, and Exodus 20:2, consistently linking Israel’s liberation to God’s raw, unassailable power. Why it lands — The verse records a historical act of divine rescue, requiring the reader to acknowledge that Israel’s standing depends on God’s past intervention rather than on human strength or occult practices.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Cross-references
- Numbers 24:8 God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
- Deuteronomy 33:17 His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”
- Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
- Job 39:9 Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger at night?
- Psalms 22:21 Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!
- Exodus 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
- Exodus 14:18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I am honored through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
- Numbers 22:5 he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
- Psalms 68:35 O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!
- Psalms 92:10 But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.