John Calvin Commentary Numbers 23:24

"Behold, the people riseth up as a lioness, And as a lion doth he lift himself up: He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain." — Numbers 23:24 (ASV)

Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion. This comparison is not in every respect accurate; for it does not signify that the Israelites should be cruel or rapacious, but merely bold and strong, and prompt in their resistance if any should provoke them. In the next chapter, it will occur again with a slight change in the words. What Balaam here declares generally of the whole people, is applied in the blessings of Jacob to the tribe of Judah alone, (Genesis 49:9) because it especially excelled in bravery. The sum is, that however the people of Israel might be attacked on every side, it should be endowed with invincible fortitude, to overcome all assaults, or to repel them vigorously. Let us, finally, remember that this courage, with which Israel was to defend itself against all its enemies, was counted among the gifts of God, as if Balaam had said that they would be preserved by the help of God.