CINXE.COM

<!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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Numbers 22 ISV</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" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/numbers/22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/numbers/22-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Numbers 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/21.htm" title="Numbers 21">◄</a> Numbers 22 <a href="../numbers/23.htm" title="Numbers 23">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/numbers/22.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Balak Summons Balaam</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>The Israelis continued their travels, eventually<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:1The Heb. lacks eventually">a</a></span> encamping on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:1The Heb. lacks River">b</a></span> opposite Jericho. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Zippor’s son Balak saw everything that Israel had done to the Amorites. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>As a result, Moab greatly feared the people, because they were so numerous. Because a sense of impending doom was afflicting the Moabites as they faced the Israelis, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>the Moabites told the elders of Midian, “This horde of people is about to lick up everything around us, like an ox licks up the green ground.”</p> <p class="reg">At that time, Zippor’s son Balak was the king of Moab. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>He sent messengers to Beor’s son Balaam in Pethor, near the Euphrates<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:5 The Heb. lacks Euphrates">c</a></span> River, the land where the descendants of his people originated,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:5 Or the river of the people of Amaw; LXX reads the river of the land">d</a></span> to summon his aid. He said, “Look! A group of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:5 The Heb. lacks group of">e</a></span> people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth, and are sitting here right in front of me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So come right now and curse this people for me, because there are too many of them for me to handle.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:6 The Heb. lacks to handle">f</a></span> Perhaps I’ll be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, since I know that whomever you bless is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>So the elders of Moab and Midian left to visit Balaam, bringing an honorarium with them,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:7 Lit. bringing divinations in their hand">g</a></span> and communicated Balak’s concerns to him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>In answer, Balaam<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:8 Lit. he">h</a></span> told them, “Stay here for the night and I’ll bring back a message<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:8 Lit. word">i</a></span> to you, depending on what the LORD says to me.” So the officers of Moab stayed with Balaam overnight.</p> <p class="heading">God Forbids Balaam to Cooperate</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>God visited Balaam and asked him, “Who are these men with you?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Then Balaam told God, “Zippor’s son Balak, king of Moab, sent them to me and said, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>‘Look! A group of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:11 The Heb. lacks group of">j</a></span> people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth! So come right now and curse them for me. Perhaps I’ll be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>But God told Balaam, “Don’t go with them. Don’t curse the people, because they’re blessed.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>So Balaam got up the next morning and told Balak’s officials, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused me permission to go with you.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>So Balak’s officials got up, returned to Balak and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>In response, Balak sent more officers—higher ranking ones, at that!— <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>who approached Balaam with this message: “This is what Zippor’s son Balak says: ‘Don’t let anything get in the way of your coming to me. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I’m determined to reward you generously, and I’ll do everything you tell me to do. So come right away and curse this people for me.’”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Balaam responded to Balak’s entourage by saying, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I won’t double-cross the command of the LORD my God in even the slightest way.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:18 Lit. God to do anything whether insignificant or great">k</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Meanwhile, stay here overnight so I may learn what the LORD might say to me.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>God came to visit Balaam that same night and told him, “If the men come to call on you, get up and go with them, but be sure to do only what I tell you to do.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>The next morning, Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started to leave, accompanied by the Moabite officials.</p> <p class="heading">Balaam’s Donkey Rebukes its Owner</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>At this, the anger of the LORD flared up against Balaam, because he was leaving. So the angel of the LORD stood in the way to oppose him. As Balaam<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:22 Lit. he">l</a></span> was riding his donkey, accompanied by two of his servants, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>all of a sudden the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with an unsheathed sword in his hand! The donkey turned off the road and went into an open field. Balaam started beating the donkey in order to turn her back to the road, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>but the angel of the LORD stood on a narrow path that crossed the vineyards. It had walls on both sides of the path. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she squeezed herself so close to the wall that Balaam’s foot was pressed to the wall. So he beat her again!</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Then the angel of the LORD went along a little further and stood in a much narrower space, where it was impossible<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:26 Lit. there’s no way">m</a></span> to turn either right or left. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>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<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:27 Lit. struck">n</a></span> the donkey with his staff.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>That’s when the LORD enabled the donkey to speak.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:28 Lit. LORD opened the donkey’s mouth">o</a></span> She asked Balaam, “What did I do to you that you would beat me in the space of only<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:28 The Heb. lacks only">p</a></span> three footsteps?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>“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!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>But in response, the donkey asked Balaam, “I’m your donkey that you’ve ridden on in the past without incident,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:30 The Heb. lacks without incident">q</a></span> am I not, and I’m the same donkey you’re riding on right now, am I not? Am I in the habit of treating you like this?”</p> <p class="reg">“No,” he admitted.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Then the LORD enabled Balaam to see, so he observed the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with an unsheathed sword in his hand. So he bowed down and prostrated himself on his face.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Then the angel of the LORD asked him, “Why did you beat your donkey in the space of only<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:32 The Heb. lacks only">r</a></span> three footsteps? I’ve come to oppose you, because I say that what you’re doing is perverted. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>The donkey saw me and turned in front of me in the space of those three footsteps. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>If she hadn’t turned away from me, I would have killed you by now and left her alive!”</p> <p class="reg">At this, Balaam replied to the angel of the LORD, “I’ve sinned! I didn’t know that you were standing to meet me on the road. So now, since it displeases you, let me go back.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:34 Lit. let me return to me">s</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>But the angel of the LORD told Balaam, “Go with the men, but deliver only the message that I’m going to give you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>When Balak heard that Balaam had arrived, he went out to meet him in the city of Moab on the border of Arnon at the extreme end of his territory. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Balak asked Balaam, “Didn’t I repeatedly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? I can pay you well,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="22:37 Lit. can honor you">t</a></span> can’t I?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Balaam answered Balak, “Well, I’m here now. I’ve come to you, but I can’t just say anything, can I? I’ll speak only what God puts in my mouth to say.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>So accompanied by Balaam and Balak’s officials, Balak traveled to Kiriath-huzoth, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>where he sacrificed oxen and sheep. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/22-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>The next day, Balak brought Balaam up to Bamoth-baal, where he could see part of the community of Israel.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 22:1The Heb. lacks <i>eventually</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 22:1The Heb. lacks <i>River</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 22:5 The Heb. lacks <i>Euphrates</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 22:5 Or <i>the river of the people of Amaw</i>; LXX reads <i>the river of the land</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 22:5 The Heb. lacks <i>group of</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 22:6 The Heb. lacks <i>to handle</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 22:7 Lit. <i>bringing divinations in their hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 22:8 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 22:8 Lit. <i>word</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 22:11 The Heb. lacks <i>group of</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 22:18 Lit. <i>God to do anything whether insignificant or great</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 22:22 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 22:26 Lit. <i>there’s no way</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 22:27 Lit. <i>struck</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 22:28 Lit. LORD<i> opened the donkey’s mouth</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 22:28 The Heb. lacks <i>only</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 22:30 The Heb. lacks <i>without incident</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 22:32 The Heb. lacks <i>only</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 22:34 Lit. <i>let me return to me</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 22:37 Lit. <i>can honor you</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../numbers/21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../numbers/23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 23" /></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/numbers/22-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>