The Hebrew Bible says Balaam saw "a star shall come from Jacob, and a scepter shall arise from Israel" (Numbers 24:17). Targum Onkelos renders this as: "A king has gone forth from Jacob, and the Moshiach will be magnified by Israel." The astronomical metaphor becomes a messianic prophecy. The star is a king. The scepter is the Messiah.
This is one of the most significant translation choices in the entire Targum. The Hebrew is poetic and ambiguous—it could refer to any future ruler, any military victory, any moment of national triumph. Onkelos forecloses that ambiguity. The passage is about the Messiah. Period.
Balaam's third oracle, which opens this chapter, also receives careful Onkelos treatment. The Hebrew says "the spirit of God rested upon him" (Numbers 24:2). Onkelos renders this as "prophecy from before God"—not God's spirit entering a pagan prophet, but a prophetic communication delivered from the divine court. Balaam is a vessel, not a partner. He receives transmissions; he does not host the divine presence.
"How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel" (Numbers 24:5)—Onkelos translates "tents" as "land" and preserves "dwelling places." The physical tents of the wilderness camp become a vision of the future homeland. Balaam is not describing what he sees. He is prophesying what will be.
The oracle concludes with a warning to Moab: the Messiah-king "will smash the corners of Moab" (Numbers 24:17). Onkelos renders "corners" as "leaders"—the messianic victory is not territorial destruction but the breaking of enemy leadership. The future redemption, even in the mouth of a pagan prophet compelled to speak truth, is precise, political, and inevitable.