Keraia
Numbers 22

Numbers 22:35

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

Translations

Modern
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Traditional
And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Literal
And the angel of YHWH said to Balaam, “Go with the men, and only the word that I speak to you shall you speak.” And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Latin
Ait angelus: Vade cum istis, et cave ne aliud quam præcepero tibi loquaris. Ivit igitur cum principibus.

Original

Hebrew
English
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Notes

Numbers 22:35

The Lord ensured that Balaam would say only what God commanded (compare 22:20).

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

People

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead Balak: King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel

Glossary

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

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Angel (Holy Trinity): One of the Holy Trinity: Called Angel of the Lord Balaam: Anger of, Rebuked by his Ass Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Balaam not Permitted to Curse Israel Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness