Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. New Living Translation This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff. King James Bible And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his staff. NASB 1995 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. NASB 1977 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. Legacy Standard Bible Then the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. Amplified Bible When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry and he struck the donkey [a third time] with his staff. Christian Standard Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. So he became furious and beat the donkey with his stick. Holman Christian Standard Bible When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. So he became furious and beat the donkey with his stick. American Standard Version And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. Contemporary English Version So it just lay down. Balaam lost his temper, then picked up a stick and whacked the donkey. English Revised Version And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the donkey saw the Messenger of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam. Balaam became so angry he hit the donkey with his stick. Good News Translation This time, when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down. Balaam lost his temper and began to beat the donkey with his stick. International Standard Version When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. As a result, Balaam got so angry that he started to whip the donkey with his staff. Majority Standard Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff. NET Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. Then Balaam was angry, and he beat his donkey with a staff. New Heart English Bible The donkey saw the angel of God, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Webster's Bible Translation And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. World English Bible The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the donkey sees the Messenger of YHWH, and crouches under Balaam, and the anger of Balaam burns, and he strikes the donkey with a staff. Young's Literal Translation and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and croucheth under Balaam, and the anger of Balaam burneth, and he smiteth the ass with a staff. Smith's Literal Translation And the ass will see the messenger of Jehovah and she will lie down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger will kindle, and he will strike the ass With a rod. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the ass saw the angel standing, she fell under the feet of the rider: who being angry beat her sides more vehemently with a staff. Catholic Public Domain Version And when the donkey had seen the Angel standing there, she fell under the feet of the rider, who, being angry, struck her sides more vehemently with a club. New American Bible When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD there, she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger flared up and he beat the donkey with his stick. New Revised Standard Version When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the she-ass saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the she-ass with a staff. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the donkey saw the Angel of LORD JEHOVAH and lay down under Balaam and provoked the wrath of Balaam and he hit the donkey with a rod. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. Brenton Septuagint Translation And when the ass saw the angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry, and struck the ass with his staff. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Angel and Balaam's Donkey…26And the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or left. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff. 28Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”… Cross References 2 Peter 2:16 But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Deuteronomy 23:4-5 For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Joshua 24:9-10 Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand. Micah 6:5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” Nehemiah 13:2 because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). 1 Corinthians 10:10-11 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. / Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Psalm 106:23-26 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them. / They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. / They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD. ... Genesis 22:3-5 So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. / On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. / “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.” Exodus 4:24-26 Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. / But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. / So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.) 1 Samuel 19:23-24 So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah. / Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. Jeremiah 8:6 I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle. Treasury of Scripture And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. and Balaam's anger Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. Proverbs 27:3,4 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both… Jump to Previous Angel Anger Angry Ass Balaam Balaam's Beat Blows Burneth Croucheth Donkey Earth Hard Kindled Lay Messenger Smiteth Smote Staff Stick Struck WrathJump to Next Angel Anger Angry Ass Balaam Balaam's Beat Blows Burneth Croucheth Donkey Earth Hard Kindled Lay Messenger Smiteth Smote Staff Stick Struck WrathNumbers 22 1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused15. His second message obtains him 22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey 36. Balak entertains him When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD In the biblical narrative, animals are rarely depicted as having spiritual insight, making this event unique. The donkey's ability to see the angel of the LORD, while Balaam could not, highlights the spiritual blindness of Balaam despite his reputation as a seer. The "angel of the LORD" is often considered a theophany, a manifestation of God Himself, which adds gravity to the situation. This encounter underscores the theme of divine intervention and guidance, even through unexpected means. she lay down under Balaam and he became furious and beat her with his staff Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Balaam is known for his interactions with God and his eventual blessing of Israel instead of cursing them. 2. The Donkey Balaam's donkey plays a crucial role in this account. She sees the angel of the LORD and acts to protect Balaam, demonstrating a spiritual awareness that Balaam initially lacks. 3. The Angel of the LORD A divine messenger who stands in the path to oppose Balaam. The angel's presence is a significant turning point in the account, representing God's intervention. 4. Balak The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them. His actions set the stage for the events involving Balaam and the donkey. 5. Moab The region where Balak rules and where the Israelites are encamped. It is the backdrop for the unfolding drama between Balaam, the donkey, and the angel. Teaching Points Spiritual AwarenessThe donkey's ability to see the angel of the LORD before Balaam serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment. We should seek to be attuned to God's presence and guidance in our lives. Divine Intervention God's intervention through the angel demonstrates His sovereignty and care. Even when we are unaware, God is actively working to guide and protect us. Humility and Repentance Balaam's initial anger and subsequent realization of the angel's presence call us to humility. We must be willing to acknowledge our blindness and repent when God reveals His truth to us. Obedience Over Profit Balaam's account warns against prioritizing personal gain over obedience to God. We are called to align our actions with God's will, even when it conflicts with our desires. God's Use of the Unlikely The donkey's role in this account illustrates how God can use unexpected means to accomplish His purposes. We should remain open to God's work through unconventional channels. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When the donkeyהָֽאָתוֹן֙ (hā·’ā·ṯō·wn) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 860: A female donkey saw וַתֵּ֤רֶא (wat·tê·re) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7200: To see the Angel מַלְאַ֣ךְ (mal·’aḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel of the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel she lay down וַתִּרְבַּ֖ץ (wat·tir·baṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed under תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of Balaam, בִּלְעָ֑ם (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet and [he] בִּלְעָ֔ם (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet became furious וַיִּֽחַר־ (way·yi·ḥar-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy and beat וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike [her] הָאָת֖וֹן (hā·’ā·ṯō·wn) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 860: A female donkey with his staff. בַּמַּקֵּֽל׃ (bam·maq·qêl) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4731: A shoot, stick Links Numbers 22:27 NIVNumbers 22:27 NLT Numbers 22:27 ESV Numbers 22:27 NASB Numbers 22:27 KJV Numbers 22:27 BibleApps.com Numbers 22:27 Biblia Paralela Numbers 22:27 Chinese Bible Numbers 22:27 French Bible Numbers 22:27 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 22:27 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh (Nu Num.) |
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