The content of verse 14 does not correspond with any of the elements in the structural pattern of the oracle narratives (see the introductory comments on 22.41–23.12). Instead, verse 14 introduces the oracles that follow. This is probably why Good News Translation includes this verse in its section covering verses 14-25 (“Balaam’s Final Prophecies”). As a result, Good News Translation‘s section heading interrupts Balaam’s direct speech of verses 12-14. At the beginning of verse 14 Good News Translation even inserts the clause “Balaam said to Balak,” which is not in the Hebrew text. There seems to be no valid reason to split Balaam’s direct speech into two parts in this way. However, translators may start a new paragraph here without a section break to mark the onset of the new discourse unit, the beginning of Balaam’s fourth oracle (so New International Readers Version).

And now, behold, I am going to my people: The phrase And now introduces the next point Balaam wants to make (compare 14.17). It introduces the oracles that follow. The Hebrew word rendered behold (hinneh) highlights Balaam’s following words. In some languages a literal rendering of I am going to my people might suggest that Balaam is about to die (compare Gen 49.29), so another possible model is “I am on the way back home to the people of my own tribe.” The Hebrew construction here indicates that Balaam is about to do this (after he pronounces the following oracles).

Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days: Unlike the previous oracle narratives, Balaam is the one who takes the initiative here, not Balak. Come, I will let you know is literally “Come, I will advise you” (La Nouvelle Bible Segond). But it is not likely that Balaam wants Balak to move physically closer to him, so come is better rendered “But first” (New Living Translation) or “but before I go” (Good News Translation). The intended speech act of the Hebrew verb translated I will let you know is expressed more clearly by saying “I am warning you” (Good News Translation) or “let me warn you” (Revised English Bible). This people may be rendered “the people of Israel” (Good News Translation) for clarity. In this context the phrase in the latter days is usually understood as a reference to the future in general (so Good News Translation with “in the future,” and Noth [page 192] with “at a later time”), not the end of time. However, some interpreters see some added significance in the Hebrew expression here (so Ashley, page 499), which would call for a more distinctive translation, for example, “in the days to come” (Revised English Bible; similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; compare 49.1).

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 .