Keraia
Numbers 22

Numbers 22:27

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

Translations

Modern
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.
Traditional
And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Literal
And the donkey saw the angel of YHWH, and she lay down under Balaam. And the anger of Balaam was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
Latin
Cumque vidisset asina stantem angelum, concidit sub pedibus sedentis: qui iratus, vehementius cædebat fuste latera ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.

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 Anger: Balaam, Toward his Ass Anger: Sinful: Balaam Animals: Cruelty to Balaam Balaam: Anger of, Rebuked by his Ass Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used 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 the Domestic Donkey: Urged on with a Staff