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If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the donkey, “<i>It is</i> because you have made a mockery of me! If only there had been a sword in my hand! For I would have killed you by now!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Balaam said to the donkey, &#8220Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered the donkey, “You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I’d kill you now! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered the donkey, &#8220You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I&#8217d kill you now!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"You made me look stupid!" Balaam answered. "If I had a sword, I'd kill you here and now!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now I had killed thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Balaam answered, "You've made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I'd kill you right now."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Balaam answered, "Because you have made a fool of me! If I had a sword, I would kill you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Because you're playing a dirty trick on me," Balaam answered the donkey. "If only I had a sword in my hand! I'd kill you right now!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered the donkey, ?You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the donkey, "You have made me look stupid; I wish there were a sword in my hand, for I would kill you right now."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam says to the donkey, “Because you have rolled yourself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain you”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Balaam saith to the ass, 'Because thou hast rolled thyself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain thee;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam will say to the ass, Because thou didst vex me: would that a sword was in my hand, for now I had killed thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered: Because thou hast deserved it, and hast served me ill: I would I had a sword that I might kill thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Balaam responded, “Because you have deserved it, and you have mistreated me. If only I had a sword, so that I might pierce you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“You have acted so willfully against me,” said Balaam to the donkey, “that if I only had a sword at hand, I would kill you here and now.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the she-ass, Because you have mocked me; I would there were a sword in my hands, for now would I kill you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, and if there were a sword in my hands now, I would have killed you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto the ass: 'Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me; and if I <i>had</i> had a sword in my hand, I would now have killed thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/22-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=7093" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/22.htm">The Angel and Balaam's Donkey</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>Then 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?” <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/860.htm" title="860: lā·’ā·ṯō·wn (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A female donkey. Probably from the same as 'eythan; a female donkey.">the donkey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5953.htm" title="5953: hiṯ·‘al·lalt (V-Hitpael-Perf-2fs) -- A primitive root; to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean; by implication to overdo, i.e. Maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose.">“You have made a fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/bî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">of me!</a> <a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: lū (Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yeš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">I had</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">a sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in my hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hă·raḡ·tîḵ (V-Qal-Perf-1cs:: 2fs) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">I would kill you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">right now!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4-5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2</a></span><br />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).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Micah 6:5</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10-11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a></span><br />A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13</a></span><br />Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10-12</a></span><br />“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” / And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/13-24.htm">1 Kings 13:24-28</a></span><br />As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. / And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. / When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Balaam said to the ass, Because you have mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill you.</p><p class="hdg">for now would</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10,16</a></b></br> A righteous <i>man</i> regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked <i>are</i> cruel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:3</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> an evil among all <i>things</i> that are done under the sun, that <i>there is</i> one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness <i>is</i> in their heart while they live, and after that <i>they go</i> to the dead.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/22-28.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/22-28.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/numbers/22-26.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/19-3.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/21-35.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Mocked</a> <a href="/exodus/10-2.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/numbers/22-26.htm">Right</a> <a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Rolled</a> <a href="/numbers/16-9.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/numbers/19-18.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/numbers/22-23.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/numbers/22-16.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/numbers/11-29.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/22-30.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/22-30.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/numbers/22-31.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/16-10.htm">Mocked</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/numbers/23-27.htm">Right</a> <a href="/joshua/5-9.htm">Rolled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-18.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/judges/16-10.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/numbers/22-31.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/numbers/23-3.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/numbers/36-6.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Balak's first message for Balaam is refused</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-15.htm">His second message obtains him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Balak entertains him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Balaam answered the donkey</b><br>In this unusual narrative, Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, engages in conversation with his donkey. This event highlights the supernatural intervention of God, who opens the donkey's mouth to speak. The dialogue underscores the theme of divine control over creation, as seen in other biblical instances where God uses animals to fulfill His purposes (e.g., the ravens feeding Elijah in <a href="/1_kings/17-4.htm">1 Kings 17:4-6</a>).<p><b>You have made a fool of me!</b><br>Balaam's concern for his reputation and pride is evident here. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were significant social values. Balaam's reaction reflects his embarrassment and the potential loss of face in front of his servants. This phrase also illustrates the human tendency to prioritize personal dignity over spiritual insight, a recurring theme in Scripture (e.g., King Saul's concern for public opinion in <a href="/1_samuel/15-30.htm">1 Samuel 15:30</a>).<p><b>If I had a sword in my hand</b><br>The mention of a sword indicates Balaam's impulsive desire for violence, revealing his frustration and anger. In biblical times, swords were common weapons, symbolizing power and authority. This phrase contrasts with the spiritual authority Balaam should have recognized, as God was orchestrating events beyond his understanding. The sword also serves as a metaphor for the Word of God, which is described as sharper than any two-edged sword in <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>.<p><b>I would kill you right now!</b><br>Balaam's extreme reaction to his donkey's behavior highlights his lack of spiritual discernment. Despite being a prophet, he fails to see the divine message in the situation. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of God using the unexpected to convey His will, as seen in the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) or the calling of the unlikely apostle Paul (Acts 9). Balaam's intent to kill also foreshadows the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that can lead to destructive actions, a warning echoed throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who is known for his interactions with God and the Israelites. He is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_donkey.htm">The Donkey</a></b><br>Balaam's donkey, which miraculously speaks to Balaam after seeing an angel of the Lord blocking their path.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_angel_of_the_lord.htm">The Angel of the Lord</a></b><br>A divine messenger sent by God to oppose Balaam on his journey to Moab.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The region where Balak rules and where Balaam is traveling to curse the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_greed_and_disobedience.htm">The Danger of Greed and Disobedience</a></b><br>Balaam's account warns against the temptation of material gain over obedience to God. His willingness to go with Balak despite God's initial command reflects a heart swayed by greed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_intervention.htm">God's Sovereignty and Intervention</a></b><br>The speaking donkey and the angel of the Lord demonstrate God's control over all creation and His ability to intervene in unexpected ways to fulfill His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_perception.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Perception</a></b><br>Balaam's inability to see the angel initially, while his donkey could, serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual awareness and discernment in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words_and_intentions.htm">The Power of Words and Intentions</a></b><br>Balaam's account underscores the significance of our words and intentions. Despite his desire to curse, God uses him to bless Israel, showing that God's will prevails.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_balaam's_donkey_speak_to_him.htm">Why did Balaam's donkey speak to him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_a_donkey_speak_in_numbers_22.htm">How can a donkey speak in Numbers 22:28-30 without contradicting the known biological limitations of animals?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_the_donkey_see_the_angel_first.htm">Why does the angel appear to the donkey first rather than Balaam in Numbers 22:23-25, suggesting the animal has greater insight than the prophet?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_balaam_in_numbers_22.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting the existence of Balaam and the events of Numbers 22?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Balaam said unto the ass.</span> That Beldam should answer the ass without expressing any astonishment is certainly more marvelous than that the ass should speak to him. It must, however, in fairness be considered - <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> That Balaam was a prophet. He was accustomed to hear Divine voices speaking to him when no man was near. He had a large and unquestioning faith, and a peculiar familiarity with the unseen. <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> Balaam was a sorcerer. It was part of his profession to show signs and wonders such as even now in those countries confound the most experienced and skeptical beholders. It is likely that he had often made dumb animals speak in order to bewilder others. He must indeed have been conscious to some extent of imposture, but he would not draw any sharp line in his own mind between the marvels which really happened to him and the marvels he displayed to others. Both as prophet and as sorcerer, he must have lived, more than any other even of that age, in an atmosphere of the supernatural. If, therefore, this portent was really given, it was certainly given to the very man of all that ever lived to whom it was most suitable. Just as one cannot imagine the miracle of the stater (<a href="/matthew/17-27.htm">Matthew 17:27</a>) happening to any one of less simple and childlike faith than St. Peter, so one could not think of the ass as speaking to any one in the Bible but the wizard prophet, for whom - both on his good and on his bad side - the boundary lines between the natural and supernatural were almost obliterated. <p><span class="Text_Heading">3.</span> Balaam was at this moment intensely angry., and nothing blunts the edge of natural surprise so much as rage. Things which afterwards, when calmly recollected, cause the utmost astonishment, notoriously produce no effect at the moment upon a mind which is thoroughly exasperated. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/22-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the donkey,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽאָת֔וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·ṯō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_860.htm">Strong's 860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A female donkey</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“You have made a fool of me!</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·‘al·lalt)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5953.htm">Strong's 5953: </a> </span><span class="str2">To effect thoroughly, to glean, to overdo, maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I had</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(yeš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> </span><span class="str2">Being, substance, existence, is</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֙רֶב֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my hand,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I would kill you</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרַגְתִּֽיךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hă·raḡ·tîḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">right now!”</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/22-29.htm">Numbers 22:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/22-29.htm">OT Law: Numbers 22:29 Balaam said to the donkey Because you (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/22-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 22:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 22:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/22-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 22:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 22:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>