OET interlinear NUM 24:20

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

וַ⁠יַּרְא֙ אֶת עֲמָלֵ֔ק

and=he/it_saw DOM ˊAmālēq

The author is using the word translated as And to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וַ⁠יַּרְא֙ אֶת עֲמָלֵ֔ק

and=he/it_saw DOM ˊAmālēq

This could mean: (1) that Balaam looked toward the are where the region of Amalek was. Alternate translation: [And he looked in the direction of Amalek] (2) that Balaam saw the people of Amalek in a vision. Alternate translation: [And he had a vision of Amalek]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

וַ⁠יִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖⁠וֹ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֑ר

and,he_lifted_up oracle_of,his and,he_said

See how you translated the similar expression in [24:3](../24/03.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙

beginning_of nations

Here, the word first could refer to: (1) being the most important or powerful. Alternate translation: [First in power of nations] (2) being the first nation to live in that area. Alternate translation: [First of nations to arrive here] (3) being the first to attack the Israelites. Alternate translation: [First of nations to attack Israel]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

רֵאשִׁ֤ית גּוֹיִם֙

beginning_of nations

Balaam is using the possessive form to mean the nation that is foremost among the nations. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [The foremost among the nations]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ⁠אַחֲרִית֖⁠וֹ עֲדֵ֥י אֹבֵֽד

and,end_of,its to destruction

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of end, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [but it will finally perish completely]