Balaam's Donkey and the Angel

Numbers 22

22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, y and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way z as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord a opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you." 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."

31 Then the Lord b opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out c to oppose you because your way is perverse 1 before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live." 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, d "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back." 35 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with the men, e but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, f on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. 37 And Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to g honor you?" 38 Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? h The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak." 39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.

41 And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 4:24
    At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death.
    1 Chronicles 21:16
    And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
  2. Cross References
    Numbers 22:32
    And the angel of the Lord said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.
  3. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:16
    But was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 21:19
    Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
    2 Kings 6:17
    Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
    Luke 24:16
    But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
    Luke 24:31
    And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
  5. Cross References
    Numbers 22:22
    But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.
  6. Cross References
    1 Samuel 15:24
    Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
    1 Samuel 26:21
    Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.
    2 Samuel 12:13
    David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
    Job 34:31 - 32
    For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more.
  7. Cross References
    Numbers 22:20
    And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.
  8. Cross References
    Numbers 21:13
    From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
  9. Cross References
    Numbers 22:17
    For I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.'
    Numbers 24:11
    Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, 'I will certainly honor you,' but the Lord has held you back from honor.
  10. Cross References
    Numbers 22:18
    But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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