Numbers 22:28

Translations

Modern

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?”

Traditional

And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Literal

And YHWH opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”

Latin

Aperuitque Dominus os asinæ, et locuta est: Quid feci tibi? cur percutis me ecce jam tertio?

Original

Hebrew

English

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?”

Notes

Numbers 22:28–31

The only similar event in Scripture is the serpent talking to Eve (Genesis 3:1–5). God used the donkey to correct the foolish diviner (2 Peter 2:15–16).

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

Related verses

2 Peter 2:16
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.
Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”
Exodus 4:11
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?
1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Romans 8:22
We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

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

Animals: Cruelty to Balaam Animals: Instruments of God's Will 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: Miracles Connected With: Mouth of Balaam's Opened to Speak

Numbers 22:28

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?