Balaam's Donkey and the Angel

Numbers 22

22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, t and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now u the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD v 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 1 abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, w for now I would kill you!" 30 x So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever 2 disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No."

31 Then the LORD y opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat 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 3 to stand against you, because your way is z perverse 4 before Me. 33 "The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live." 34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, a "I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it 5 displeases You, I will turn back." 35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, b but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, c he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, d which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able e to honor you?" 38 And Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? f The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak." 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. 40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

41 So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the g high places of Baal, that from there he might observe 6 the extent of the people.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 4:24
    And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him.
  2. Cross References
    Joshua 5:13
    And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, " Are You for us or for our adversaries?
    2 Kings 6:17
    And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then 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.
    Daniel 10:7
    And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
    Acts 22:9
    And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
  3. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:16
    But he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:10
    A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
    Matthew 15:19
    For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
  5. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:16
    But he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
  6. 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 lad a drink.
    2 Kings 6:17
    And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then 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 restrained, so that they did not know Him.
    Luke 24:31
    Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
  7. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:14
    Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
    2 Peter 2:15
    They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.
  8. Cross References
    1 Samuel 15:24
    Then 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 15:30
    Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.
    1 Samuel 26:21
    Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.
    2 Samuel 12:13
    So 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.
  9. Cross References
    Numbers 22:20
    And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you - that you shall do.
  10. Cross References
    Genesis 14:17
    And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.
  11. Cross References
    Numbers 21:13
    From there they moved 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.
  12. Cross References
    Numbers 22:17
    'for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.'"
    Numbers 24:11
    "Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor."
  13. Cross References
    Numbers 23:26
    So Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you, saying, 'All that the LORD speaks, that I must do'?
    Numbers 24:13
    If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak'?
    1 Kings 22:14
    And Micaiah said, " As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.
    2 Chronicles 18:13
    And Micaiah said, " As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.
  14. Cross References
    Numbers 21:28
    For fire went out from Heshbon, A flame from the city of Sihon; It consumed Ar of Moab, The lords of the heights of the Arnon.
    Deuteronomy 12:2
    You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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