Balaam Foresees Amalek's Doom and the Kenite's Safe Refuge

"And he saw Amalek" (Numbers 24:20). That is to say, he saw that with that same strength of Esau, and Amalek supposed that he would be able to reveal himself against them in war; therefore it is said, "and Amalek came." He began to say, "Amalek is the first of the nations," for he fought against Israel first; therefore "and his end shall be unto destruction," as it is said, "I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek" (Exodus 17:14). Another interpretation: "and one shall come down from Jacob" — that one is destined to go forth from the children's children of Jacob, and he is Samson son of Manoah, who shall destroy the survivor from the city. And some say: this is the King Messiah. "And he saw the Kenite" (Numbers 24:21). He saw the seed of Jethro who was dwelling in the midst of Amalek. He began to say, "Firm is your dwelling-place" — that you fear the war of Amalek, that they will not wish to do you harm, because you are of the children's children of Jethro; as it is written, "And Saul said to the Kenite, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites" (1 Samuel 15:6); and from here I counsel you. "And set your nest in the rock" — that you should dwell in a fortified city and in a strong place, for if you do not do so...