31 Heb “near.”
32 This is a figure for a king (see also Isa 14:12) not only in the Bible but in the ancient Near Eastern literature as a whole. The immediate reference of the prophecy seems to be to David, but the eschatological theme goes beyond him. There is to be a connection made between this passage and the sighting of a star in its ascendancy by the magi, who then traveled to Bethlehem to see the one born King of the Jews (Matt 2:2). The expression “son of a star” (Aram Bar Kochba) became a title for a later claimant to kingship, but he was doomed by the Romans in a.d. 135.
33 The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive; it is equal to the imperfect expressing the future. The verb דָּרַךְ (darakh), related to the noun “way, road,” seems to mean something like tread on, walk, march.”
34 The “scepter” is metonymical for a king who will rise to power. strangely rendered this as “comet” to make a parallel with “star.”
35 The word is literally “corners,” but may refer to the corners of the head, and so “skull.”
36 The reads “shatter, devastate.” reads קֹדְקֹד (qodqod, “head; crown; pate”). follows Jer 48:45 which appears to reflect Num 24:17.
37 The prophecy begins to be fulfilled when David defeated Moab and Edom and established an empire including them. But the Messianic promise extends far beyond that to the end of the age and the inclusion of these defeated people in the program of the coming King.
38 Seir is the chief mountain range of Edom (Deut 33:2), and so the reference here is to the general area of Edom.
39 Or, understanding the Hebrew word for “city” as a place name, “of Ir” (cf. , ).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near:

a star shall come out of Jacob,

and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;

it shall crush the forehead of Moab

and break down all the sons of Sheth.

Edom shall be dispossessed;

Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.

Israel is doing valiantly.

And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion

and destroy the survivors of cities!”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel.

He will crush the foreheads of Moab,

the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

Edom will be conquered;

Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,

but Israel will grow strong.

A ruler will come out of Jacob

and destroy the survivors of the city.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I see him, but not now;

I perceive him, but not near.

A star will come from Jacob,

and a scepter will arise from Israel.

He will smash the forehead of Moab

and strike down all the Shethites.

Edom will become a possession;

Seir will become a possession of its enemies,

but Israel will be triumphant.

One who comes from Jacob will rule;

he will destroy the city’s survivors.

NLTNew Living Translation

I see him, but not here and now.

I perceive him, but far in the distant future.

A star will rise from Jacob;

a scepter will emerge from Israel.

It will crush the heads of Moab’s people,

cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

Edom will be taken over,

and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered,

while Israel marches on in triumph.

A ruler will rise in Jacob

who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near;

a star will go out from Jacob,

and a scepter will rise from Israel;

it will crush the foreheads of Moab

and destroy all the children of Seth.

Edom will be a captive;

Seir, its enemies, will be a captive,

and Israel will be acting courageously.

Someone from Jacob will rule

and will destroy a remnant from the city.”

KJV 1900King James Version

I shall see him, but not now:

I shall behold him, but not nigh:

There shall come a Star out of Jacob,

And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,

And shall smite the corners of Moab,

And destroy all the children of Sheth.

And Edom shall be a possession,

Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies;

And Israel shall do valiantly.

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion,

And shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Public Domain