Keraia
Numbers 22

Numbers 22:25

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey · Numbers 22:22–41
Read Numbers 22

Translations

Modern
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.
Traditional
And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
Literal
And the donkey saw the angel of YHWH, and she pushed herself against the wall and crushed the foot of Balaam against the wall, and again he struck her.
Latin
Quem videns asina, junxit se parieti, et attrivit sedentis pedem. At ille iterum verberabat eam:

Original

Hebrew
English
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.

Notes

Numbers 22:21–41

This passage clearly uses humor to make fun of Balaam, the professional diviner. The story shows that his spiritual understanding and obedience to God were less than those of his own donkey.

Numbers 22:2–24:25

The story of Balak and Balaam marks an important turning point in Israel’s history. It includes humor, drama, and deep teaching about God.

The story makes one main point clear. The Lord’s will must be carried out. No one could stop his plan for Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Moab and Ammon Angels

People

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Balaam Balak Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of False Prophets Jannes and Jambres Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Prophets, False Shittim (Place)

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Remonstrates with Balaam Angel (Holy Trinity): One of the Holy Trinity: Called Angel of the Lord Animals: Cruelty to Balaam Balaam: Anger of, Rebuked by his Ass Donkey: Domesticated used for Riding Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Balaam not Permitted to Curse Israel Miracles: Catalogue of Balaam's Donkey Speaks Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness