Keraia
Numbers 22

Numbers 22:30

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

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
Literal
And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden always until this day? Have I at all been accustomed to do to you, acting this way?” And he said, “No.”
Latin
Dixit asina: Nonne animal tuum sum, cui semper sedere consuevisti usque in præsentem diem? dic quid simile umquam fecerim tibi. At ille ait: Numquam.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

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

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 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 Night: God Frequently: Revealed his Will In Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness