Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 23:10

"Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!" — Numbers 23:10 (ASV)

Who can count the dust of Jacob?— These words point back to the promise made to Abraham: And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, etc. (Genesis 13:16).

And the number of the fourth part of Israel.— The Israelites were divided into four great encampments (Numbers 2). It is probable that Balaam could only see one of these encampments from Bamoth-Baal (Numbers 22:41); but see the discussion on Numbers 23:13 below.

The death of the righteous.— The Hebrew word yesharim (upright, or righteous) is applied to Israel because God, who is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4), had chosen His people to be a Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5; Deuteronomy 33:26)—a holy and peculiar people, following after righteousness and judgment. The end of Balaam (Numbers 31:8) presented a strange contrast to his prayer, and showed that even the prayer of the wicked is abomination in the sight of the Lord. (See Proverbs 28:9.)