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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Numbers 22 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they cover the surface of the land<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.5.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> and are living right across from me. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> in hand.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.7.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you? ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me: <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> has refused to let me go with you.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>The officials of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me, <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>for I will greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me. So please come and put a curse on these people for me! ’ ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> my God to do anything small or great. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Please stay here overnight as the others did, so that I may find out what else the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> has to tell me.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>When he got up in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the officials of Moab.</p><h3 class="head1">Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span><a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.22.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> took his stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.23" /> <A name="24"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>When the donkey saw the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> standing on the path with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into the field. So Balaam hit her to return her to the path. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.24" /> <A name="25"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Then the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> stood in a narrow passage between the vineyards, with a stone wall on either side. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.25" /> <A name="26"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>The donkey saw the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> and pressed herself against the wall, squeezing Balaam’s foot against it. So he hit her once again. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.26" /> <A name="27"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>The angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> went ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.27" /> <A name="28"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>When the donkey saw the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>, she crouched down under Balaam. So he became furious and beat the donkey with his stick.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.28" /> <A name="29"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Then the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> opened the donkey’s mouth, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times? ”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Numbers.22.28.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.29" /> <A name="30"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Balaam answered the donkey, “You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I’d kill you now! ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.30" /> <A name="31"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>But the donkey said, “Am I not the donkey you’ve ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before? ”</p><p class="scripture">“No,” he replied.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.31" /> <A name="32"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Then the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> standing in the path with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam knelt low and bowed in worship on his face. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.32" /> <A name="33"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>The angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you, because I consider what you are doing to be evil.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Numbers.22.32.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.33" /> <A name="34"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>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.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.34" /> <A name="35"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Balaam said to the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the path to confront me. And now, if it is evil in your sight, I will go back.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.35" /> <A name="36"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Then the angel of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.36" /> <A name="37"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Numbers.22.36.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> on the Arnon border at the edge of his territory. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.37" /> <A name="38"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Balak asked Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you? ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.38" /> <A name="39"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Balaam said to him, “Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.39" /> <A name="40"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Numbers.22.39.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.40" /> <A name="41"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>Balak sacrificed cattle, sheep, and goats and sent for Balaam and the officials who were with him.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Numbers.22.41" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/numbers/22-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>In the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him to Bamoth-baal.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Numbers.22.41.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> From there he saw the outskirts of the people’s camp.</p><br /><section id="footnotes-Numbers.22" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.5.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.5">22:5</a></span> Sam, Vg, Syr read <span class="italic">of the Ammonites</span></aside><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.5.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.5">22:5</a></span> Or <span class="italic">of the Amawites</span></aside><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.32.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.32">22:32</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">because your way is perverse before me</span></aside><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.36.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.36">22:36</a></span> Or <span class="italic">at Ir-moab</span>, or <span class="italic">at Ar of Moab</span></aside><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.39.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.39">22:39</a></span> = The City of Streets</aside><aside id="fn.Numbers.22.41.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.41">22:41</a></span> = The High Places of Baal</aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Numbers.22" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.2.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.2">22:2</a></span> Jos 24:9–10; Jdg 11:25; Mc 6:5; Rv 2:14</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.2.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.2">22:2</a></span> Dt 4:46; Jos 10:12</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.3.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.3">22:3</a></span> Gn 47:27; Ex 1:7,9; 32:13; 2Sm 17:11; 1Kg 4:20; 1Ch 27:23</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.5.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.5">22:5</a></span> Dt 23:3–5; Jos 24:9–10; Mc 6:5; 2Pt 2:15–16; Jd 11; Rv 2:14</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.5.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.5">22:5</a></span> Ex 10:5</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.6">22:6</a></span> Gn 27:29; Nm 24:9</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.7">22:7</a></span> Gn 30:27; 44:5,15; Lv 19:26; Nm 23:23; Dt 18:10; 1Sm 15:23; 2Kg 17:17; 21:6; Is 2:6; Jr 14:14; Ezk 12:24; 13:7,23; 21:21; Mc 3:11</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.7.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.7">22:7</a></span> 2Pt 2:15; Jd 11</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.22.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.22">22:22</a></span> Gn 16:7; 22:11; Ex 3:2; Jdg 2:1; 5:23; 6:1; 13:3; 2Sm 24:16; 1Kg 19:7; 2Kg 1:3; 19:35; Zch 1:11; 3:1; 12:8</aside><aside id="xrf.Numbers.22.28.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Numbers.22.28">22:28</a></span> 2Pt 2:15–16</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Numbers.22" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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