“Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!”
'Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the dust-cloud of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my final end be like theirs!' — Balaam expresses wonder at Israel's numbers ('dust of Jacob,' 'dust-cloud of Israel'), imagery recalling Abraham's promised seed (Genesis 13:16). Unable to count them, Balaam acknowledges that Israel's multitude exceeds human enumeration—it is divine gift. The invocation is remarkable: Balaam prays that his own death be like Israel's righteous death. He expresses desire for participation in Israel's covenant blessing.
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