For from the top of the mountains I see him, from the hills I behold him: In this context the Hebrew particle ki rendered For is not a logical connector, but an emphatic marker, so it is better translated “Yes” (La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle) or “Indeed.” Alternatively, it can be understood to introduce a temporal clause; for example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders these two parallel lines as follows: “As I see them from the mountain tops, Gaze on them from the heights” (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Good News Translation omits this particle, but it should be kept. The Hebrew word for mountains is literally “rocks,” but in this poetic context it refers to “high rocks” (Good News Translation) or “rocky cliffs.” The pronoun him refers to the people of Israel. In many languages it will be more natural to use the plural pronoun “them” (Good News Translation).

Lo, a people dwelling alone: The Hebrew word rendered lo (hen) is another emphatic marker. It highlights what Balaam sees, probably in both a visual and visionary sense. New International Version, Revised English Bible, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible render it “I see.” The clause a people dwelling alone refers not so much to the Israelites’ physical isolation, but rather to the special status they enjoy as God’s chosen people (so Ashley, page 471).

And not reckoning itself among the nations: Since this line is parallel in meaning with the previous one, it does not imply that the Israelites consider themselves too small to be a nation. Instead, they consider themselves to be unique as God’s people (so NET Bible footnote). The Hebrew noun for nations (goyim) refers to nations other than Israel. Revised English Bible provides a helpful model for the last two lines of this verse, saying “I see a people that dwells apart, that has not made itself one with the nations.” Bible en français courant is also helpful with “it is a people who lives apart, it knows itself to be different from other nations” (similarly Parole de Vie). We do not recommend Good News Translation‘s model here since it does not keep these two lines parallel in meaning.

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 .