Numbers 22:33
New International Version
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

New Living Translation
Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”

King James Bible
And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
But the donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I certainly would have killed you just now, and let her live.”

NASB 1995
“But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.”

NASB 1977
“But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If it had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let it live.”

Amplified Bible
The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have certainly killed you now, and let her live.”

Christian Standard Bible
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I would have killed you by now and let her live.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have killed you by now and let her live.”

American Standard Version
and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.

Contemporary English Version
If your donkey had not seen me and stopped those three times, I would have killed you and let the donkey live."

English Revised Version
and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you by now but spared the donkey."

Good News Translation
But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it hadn't, I would have killed you and spared the donkey."

International Standard Version
The donkey saw me and turned in front of me in the space of those three footsteps.

Majority Standard Bible
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”

NET Bible
The donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. If she had not turned from me, I would have killed you but saved her alive."

New Heart English Bible
and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

World English Bible
The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the donkey sees Me and turns aside at My presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from My presence, surely I had also slain you now, and kept her alive.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the ass seeth me, and turneth aside at my presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from my presence, surely now also, thee I had slain, and her kept alive.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the ass will see me, and will turn before me this three beats: unless she turned from before me for now also I had slain thee, and preserved her alive.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And unless the ass had turned out of the way, giving place to me who stood against thee, I had slain thee, and she should have lived.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And unless the donkey had turned aside from the way, allowing a place for my opposition, I would have killed you, and she would have lived.”

New American Bible
When the donkey saw me, she turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, you are the one I would have killed, though I would have spared her.”

New Revised Standard Version
The donkey saw me, and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let it live.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the she-ass saw me and turned aside from me these three times; and if she had not turned aside from me, surely now I would have slain you, and saved her alive.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the she donkey saw me and turned aside from before me, behold, three times, and if she had not turned aside from before me, now I would have killed you and I would have let her live.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times; unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if she had not turned out of the way, surely now, I should have slain thee, and should have saved her alive.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Angel and Balaam's Donkey
32The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.” 34“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”…

Cross References
2 Peter 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / 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.

Acts 13:8-11
But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ...

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Genesis 31:24
But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Exodus 23:20-21
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.

Psalm 106:23
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.

Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.


Treasury of Scripture

And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain you, and saved her alive.

surely

Numbers 14:37
Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

Numbers 16:33-35
They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation…

1 Kings 13:24-28
And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase…

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Alive Ass Death Donkey Kept Killed Live Presence Saved Side Slain Spared Surely Three Times Turned Turneth Turning Unless
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. 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














The donkey saw me
In this phrase, the donkey's ability to perceive the angel of the LORD is highlighted. The Hebrew word for "saw" is "ra'ah," which means to see, perceive, or have vision. This emphasizes the spiritual insight granted to the donkey, which Balaam, a prophet, lacked at that moment. The donkey's vision contrasts with Balaam's spiritual blindness, reminding us that God can use the most unexpected means to reveal His presence and will. This serves as a humbling reminder that human wisdom and status do not guarantee spiritual insight.

and turned away from me
The phrase "turned away" comes from the Hebrew "natah," meaning to turn aside or deviate. The donkey's action of turning away from the angel signifies obedience and reverence for God's messenger. This act of turning away is a physical manifestation of repentance or changing direction, which is a central theme in the Bible. It illustrates the importance of responding to God's warnings and guidance, even when it requires altering our course.

these three times
The repetition of "three times" is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing completeness or emphasis. In this context, it underscores the persistent efforts of the donkey to protect Balaam from danger. The number three is frequently used in Scripture to denote a complete cycle or a significant event, such as Jesus' resurrection on the third day. Here, it highlights the thoroughness of God's intervention and the patience He extends to Balaam, giving him multiple opportunities to recognize the divine warning.

If she had not turned away
This conditional statement introduces a hypothetical scenario, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The phrase "had not turned away" suggests the potential consequences of ignoring divine intervention. It serves as a warning about the dangers of stubbornness and disobedience. The donkey's actions prevented Balaam from facing immediate judgment, illustrating God's mercy and the importance of heeding His warnings.

I would have surely killed you
The phrase "I would have surely killed you" is a direct and sobering declaration of the consequences Balaam faced. The Hebrew construction here is emphatic, underscoring the certainty of the judgment that would have occurred. This highlights God's justice and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a reminder that God's patience has limits and that persistent disobedience can lead to severe consequences.

but let her live
The mercy shown to the donkey, "but let her live," contrasts with the judgment Balaam would have faced. This phrase underscores God's compassion and the value He places on all His creation. The donkey's life is spared as a testament to God's grace and as a symbol of His willingness to use humble and unexpected means to accomplish His purposes. It serves as an encouragement that God values obedience and faithfulness, regardless of one's status or role.

(33) Unless she had turned from me.--There may be an aposiopesis in this verse. Perhaps she turned aside from (or, before) me . . . for (otherwise) now I had killed thee, &c. According to this view the angel does not assign a reason why the ass turned aside, but leaves this to be inferred by Balaam. (Comp. Keil, in loc.)

Verse 33. - Unless ... surely. אוּלַיאּאּ־כִּי. It is somewhat doubtful whether this phrase can be translated as in the Septuagint (εἰ μὴ.. νῦν οῦν)and in all the versions; but even if the construction of the sentence be broken, this is no doubt the meaning of it. And saved her alive. Compare the case of the ass of the disobedient prophet in 1 Kings 13:24. It is plainly a righteous thing with God that obedience and faithfulness should be respected, and in some sense rewarded, even in an ass.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The donkey
הָֽאָת֔וֹן (hā·’ā·ṯō·wn)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 860: A female donkey

saw
וַתִּרְאַ֙נִי֙ (wat·tir·’a·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

me and turned away
וַתֵּ֣ט (wat·têṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

from me
לְפָנַ֔י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

these
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

three
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ (šā·lōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

times.
רְגָלִ֑ים (rə·ḡā·lîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

If she had not
אוּלַי֙ (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

turned away,
נָטְתָ֣ה (nā·ṭə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

I would surely have killed
הָרַ֖גְתִּי (hā·raḡ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

you
וְאוֹתָ֥הּ (wə·’ō·w·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

by now,
עַתָּ֛ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

and let her live.”
הֶחֱיֵֽיתִי׃ (he·ḥĕ·yê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive


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OT Law: Numbers 22:33 And the donkey saw me and turned (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:32
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