Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 24:24

24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim , and shall afflict Ashur, and shall afflict Eber , and he also shall perish for ever.

A place or people so called from Chittim the son of Iavan, Gen. 10. 4. whose posterity were very numerous and were first seated in the lesser Asia, and from thence sent forth colonies into the islands of the Aegean sea, and into Cyprus, and afterwards into Macedonia and other parts of Greece, and then into Italy. Whence it comes to pass that by this name is understood sometimes Macedonia, as appears from 1 Macc. 1. 1. and 1 Macc. 8. 5. and sometimes Italy, as is manifest, from Dan. 11. 29, 30. and sometimes both, as in this place: for he speaks here of the scourge that God hath appointed for the Assyrian after he had done Gods work in punishing of his people and the bordering nations. Now although the Assyrian and Chaldean empire was subdued by the Medes and Persians, yet the chief afflictions and calamities of that people came from two hands, both beyond the sea and brought to them by ships, as is here expressed, first from the Grecians under Alexander and his successours, by whom that people were grievously oppressed and wasted; then from the Romans, who subdued all the Grecian empire, one great part whereof were the Assyrians largely so called and after many bloody wars made them a colony.

(i. e.) The posterity of [illegible: 1 word] Gen. 10. 24. the Hebrews, who were the chief and flower of Ebers children, and therefore are here designed by that general name, such general expressions being oft used concerning one particular and the most eminent of [illegible: 1+ letters]ts kind. And it pleased God to express it thus darkly here, because though he would foretell this for the comfort and instruction of his people in after ages, yet he would not have Balak nor Balaam neither, understand or utter any thing which might seem to thwart that happy estate of Israel, which Balaam clearly saw and openly applauded.

Not the Hebrews, as some understand, for his affliction was now mentioned before, and other Scriptures tell us they shall have a better end, and that all Israel shall be saved, and therefore not perish for ever, but the [illegible: 1+ letters] er or scourge of A[illegible: 1+ letters]hur and Eber, to wit, the Grecian and [illegible: 1 word] Empire.