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Selected Verse: Numbers 22:22 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Nu 22:22	Strong Concordance	And God's [0430] anger [0639] was kindled [02734] because he went [01980]: and the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] stood [03320] in the way [01870] for an adversary [07854] against him. Now he was riding [07392] upon his ass [0860], and his two [08147] servants [05288] were with him.
	King James	And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
God's anger was kindled because he went--The displeasure arose partly from his neglecting the condition on which leave was granted him--namely, to wait till the princes of Moab "came to call him" [Num 22:20], and because, through desire for "the wages of unrighteousness" [Pe2 2:15], he entertained the secret purpose of acting in opposition to the solemn charge of God.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

God's anger was kindled because he went--The displeasure arose partly from his neglecting the condition on which leave was granted him--namely, to wait till the princes of Moab "came to call him" [Num 22:20], and because, through desire for "the wages of unrighteousness" [Pe2 2:15], he entertained the secret purpose of acting in opposition to the solemn charge of God.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The angel - i. e., the Angel that led the Israelites through the wilderness (compare Num 20:16 and references), and subsequently appeared as the Captain of the Lord's host to Joshua Jos 6:13. In desiring to curse Israel, Balaam was fighting against Israel's Leader. The presence of the Angel in his path was designed to open his eyes, blinded by sin, to the real character of his course of conduct.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
anger (See Scofield) - (Gen 46:3). In (Num 22:12) the directive will of Jehovah is made known to Balaam, in (Num 22:20) Jehovah's permissive will. The prophet is now free to go, but knows the true mind of the Lord about it. The matter is wholly one between Jehovah and His servant. The permission of (Num 22:20) really constitutes a testing of Balaam. He chose the path of self-will and self-advantage, and Jehovah could not but gravely disapprove. The whole scene, (Num 22:22-35) prepared Balaam for what was to follow. angel (See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4)

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
Balaam's Speaking Ass. - Num 22:22. "And the anger of God burned, that he was going (הוּא הולך): and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way, as an adversary to him." From the use of the participle הולך instead of the imperfect, with which it is not interchangeable, it is evident, on the one hand, that the anger of God was not excited by the fact that Balaam went with the elders of Moab, but by his behaviour wither on setting out or upon the journey; (Note: From a failure to observe the use of the participle in distinction from the preterite, and from a misinterpretation of the words of the angel of the Lord (Num 22:32), "I have come out as an adversary, for the way leads headlong to destruction," which have been understood as implying that the angel meant to prohibit the seer from going, whereas he only intended to warn him of the destruction towards which he was going, the critics have invented a contradiction between the account of the speaking ass (Num 22:22-35) and the preceding part of the history. And in consequence of this, A. G. Hoffmann and others have pronounced the section from Num 22:22 to Num 22:35 to be a later interpolation; whilst Baur, on the other hand (in his Geschichte d. alttestl. Weissagung), regards the account of the ass as the original form of the narrative, and the preceding portion as a composition of the Jehovist. But there is no "contradiction" or "evident incongruity," unless we suppose that the only reason for the appearance of the angel of the Lord was, that he might once more forbid the seer to go, and then give him permission, with a certain limitation. The other difference, which E. v. Ortenberg adduces, are involved in the very nature of the case. The manifestation of God, in the form of the Angel of Jehovah, was necessarily different in its character from a direct spiritual revelation of the divine will. And lastly, the difference in the expressions used to signify "three times," in Num 22:28, Num 22:32-33, and Num 24:10, etc., prove nothing more than that king Balak did not mould his style of speaking according to that of the ass.) and, on the other hand, that the occurrence which followed did not take place at the commencement, but rather towards the close of, the journey. As it was a longing for wages and honour that had induced the soothsayer to undertake the journey, the nearer he came to his destination, under the guidance of the distinguished Moabitish ambassadors, the more was his mind occupied with the honours and riches in prospect; and so completely did they take possession of his heart, that he was in danger of casting to the winds the condition which had been imposed upon him by God. The wrath of God was kindled against this dangerous enemy of his soul; and as he was riding upon his ass with two attendants, the angel of the Lord stood in his way לו לשׂטן, "as an adversary to him," i.e., to restrain him from advancing farther on a road that would inevitably lead him headlong into destruction (cf. Num 22:32). This visible manifestation of God was seen by the ass; but Balaam the seer was so blinded, that it was entirely hidden from his eye, darkened as it was by sinful lust; and this happened three times before Jehovah brought him to his senses by the speaking of the dumb animal, and thus opened his eyes. (Note: "To the great disgrace of the prophet, the glory of the angel was first of all apparent to the ass... He had been boasting before this of extraordinary visions, and now what was visible to the eyes of a beast was invisible to him. Whence came this blindness, but from the avarice by which he had been so stupefied, that he preferred filthy lucre to the holy calling of God?" (Calvin.)) The "drawn sword" in the angel's hand was a manifestation of the wrath of God. The ass turned from the road into the field before the threatening sight, and was smitten by Balaam in consequence to turn her or guide her back into the road.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

Balaam's Speaking Ass. - Num 22:22. "And the anger of God burned, that he was going (הוּא הולך): and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way, as an adversary to him." From the use of the participle הולך instead of the imperfect, with which it is not interchangeable, it is evident, on the one hand, that the anger of God was not excited by the fact that Balaam went with the elders of Moab, but by his behaviour wither on setting out or upon the journey;

(Note: From a failure to observe the use of the participle in distinction from the preterite, and from a misinterpretation of the words of the angel of the Lord (Num 22:32), "I have come out as an adversary, for the way leads headlong to destruction," which have been understood as implying that the angel meant to prohibit the seer from going, whereas he only intended to warn him of the destruction towards which he was going, the critics have invented a contradiction between the account of the speaking ass (Num 22:22-35) and the preceding part of the history. And in consequence of this, A. G. Hoffmann and others have pronounced the section from Num 22:22 to Num 22:35 to be a later interpolation; whilst Baur, on the other hand (in his Geschichte d. alttestl. Weissagung), regards the account of the ass as the original form of the narrative, and the preceding portion as a composition of the Jehovist. But there is no "contradiction" or "evident incongruity," unless we suppose that the only reason for the appearance of the angel of the Lord was, that he might once more forbid the seer to go, and then give him permission, with a certain limitation. The other difference, which E. v. Ortenberg adduces, are involved in the very nature of the case. The manifestation of God, in the form of the Angel of Jehovah, was necessarily different in its character from a direct spiritual revelation of the divine will. And lastly, the difference in the expressions used to signify "three times," in Num 22:28, Num 22:32-33, and Num 24:10, etc., prove nothing more than that king Balak did not mould his style of speaking according to that of the ass.)

and, on the other hand, that the occurrence which followed did not take place at the commencement, but rather towards the close of, the journey. As it was a longing for wages and honour that had induced the soothsayer to undertake the journey, the nearer he came to his destination, under the guidance of the distinguished Moabitish ambassadors, the more was his mind occupied with the honours and riches in prospect; and so completely did they take possession of his heart, that he was in danger of casting to the winds the condition which had been imposed upon him by God. The wrath of God was kindled against this dangerous enemy of his soul; and as he was riding upon his ass with two attendants, the angel of the Lord stood in his way לו לשׂטן, "as an adversary to him," i.e., to restrain him from advancing farther on a road that would inevitably lead him headlong into destruction (cf. Num 22:32). This visible manifestation of God was seen by the ass; but Balaam the seer was so blinded, that it was entirely hidden from his eye, darkened as it was by sinful lust; and this happened three times before Jehovah brought him to his senses by the speaking of the dumb animal, and thus opened his eyes.

(Note: "To the great disgrace of the prophet, the glory of the angel was first of all apparent to the ass... He had been boasting before this of extraordinary visions, and now what was visible to the eyes of a beast was invisible to him. Whence came this blindness, but from the avarice by which he had been so stupefied, that he preferred filthy lucre to the holy calling of God?" (Calvin.))

The "drawn sword" in the angel's hand was a manifestation of the wrath of God. The ass turned from the road into the field before the threatening sight, and was smitten by Balaam in consequence to turn her or guide her back into the road.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Because he went - Because he went of his own accord, with the princes of Moab, and did not wait till they came to call him, which was the sign and condition of God's permission, but rather himself rose and called them. The apostle describes Balaam's sin here to be, that he ran greedily into an error for reward, Jde 1:11. For an adversary - To oppose, if not to kill him. His servants with him - The rest of the company being probably gone before them. For in those ancient times there was more of simplicity, and less of ceremony, and therefore it is not strange that Balaam came at some distance, after the rest, and attended only by his own servants.

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¹⁵ Which have forsaken [2641] the right [2117] way [3598], and are gone astray [4105], following [1811] the way [3598] of Balaam [903] the son of Bosor [1007], who [3739] loved [25] the wages [3408] of unrighteousness [93];

²⁰ And God [0430] came [0935] unto Balaam [01109] at night [03915], and said [0559] unto him, If the men [0582] come [0935] to call [07121] thee, rise up [06965], and go [03212] with them; but yet [0389] the word [01697] which I shall say [01696] unto thee, that shalt thou do [06213].

¹³ And seven [07651] priests [03548] bearing [05375] seven [07651] trumpets [07782] of rams' horns [03104] before [06440] the ark [0727] of the LORD [03068] went on [01980] continually [01980], and blew [08628] with the trumpets [07782]: and the armed men [02502] went [01980] before [06440] them; but the rereward [0622] came [01980] after [0310] the ark [0727] of the LORD [03068], the priests going on [01980], and blowing [08628] with the trumpets [07782].

¹⁶ And when we cried [06817] unto the LORD [03068], he heard [08085] our voice [06963], and sent [07971] an angel [04397], and hath brought us forth [03318] out of Egypt [04714]: and, behold, we are in Kadesh [06946], a city [05892] in the uttermost [07097] of thy border [01366]:

⁴ Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].

²² And God's [0430] anger [0639] was kindled [02734] because he went [01980]: and the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] stood [03320] in the way [01870] for an adversary [07854] against him. Now he was riding [07392] upon his ass [0860], and his two [08147] servants [05288] were with him.
²³ And the ass [0860] saw [07200] the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] standing [05324] in the way [01870], and his sword [02719] drawn [08025] in his hand [03027]: and the ass [0860] turned aside [05186] out of the way [01870], and went [03212] into the field [07704]: and Balaam [01109] smote [05221] the ass [0860], to turn [05186] her into the way [01870].
²⁴ But the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] stood [05975] in a path [04934] of the vineyards [03754], a wall [01447] being on this side, and a wall [01447] on that side.
²⁵ And when the ass [0860] saw [07200] the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068], she thrust [03905] herself unto the wall [07023], and crushed [03905] Balaam's [01109] foot [07272] against the wall [07023]: and he smote [05221] her again [03254].
²⁶ And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] went [05674] further [03254], and stood [05975] in a narrow [06862] place [04725], where was no way [01870] to turn [05186] either to the right hand [03225] or to the left [08040].
²⁷ And when the ass [0860] saw [07200] the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068], she fell down [07257] under Balaam [01109]: and Balaam's [01109] anger [0639] was kindled [02734], and he smote [05221] the ass [0860] with a staff [04731].
²⁸ And the LORD [03068] opened [06605] the mouth [06310] of the ass [0860], and she said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], What have I done [06213] unto thee, that thou hast smitten [05221] me these three [07969] times [07272]?
²⁹ And Balaam [01109] said [0559] unto the ass [0860], Because thou hast mocked [05953] me: I would [03863] there were [03426] a sword [02719] in mine hand [03027], for now would I kill [02026] thee.
³⁰ And the ass [0860] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], Am not I thine ass [0860], upon which thou hast ridden [07392] ever since I was thine unto this day [03117]? was I ever [05532] wont [05532] to do so [06213] unto thee? And he said [0559], Nay.
³¹ Then the LORD [03068] opened [01540] the eyes [05869] of Balaam [01109], and he saw [07200] the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] standing [05324] in the way [01870], and his sword [02719] drawn [08025] in his hand [03027]: and he bowed down [06915] his head, and fell flat [07812] on his face [0639].
³² And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten [05221] thine ass [0860] these three [07969] times [07272]? behold, I went out [03318] to withstand [07854] thee, because thy way [01870] is perverse [03399] before me:
³³ And the ass [0860] saw [07200] me, and turned [05186] from me [06440] these three [07969] times [07272]: unless [0194] she had turned [05186] from me [06440], surely now also I had slain [02026] thee, and saved her alive [02421].
³⁴ And Balaam [01109] said [0559] unto the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068], I have sinned [02398]; for I knew [03045] not that thou stoodest [05324] in the way [01870] against [07125] me: now therefore, if it displease thee [07489] [05869], I will get me back again [07725].
³⁵ And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], Go [03212] with the men [0582]: but only [0657] the word [01697] that I shall speak [01696] unto thee, that thou shalt speak [01696]. So Balaam [01109] went [03212] with the princes [08269] of Balak [01111].

¹² And God [0430] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], Thou shalt not go [03212] with them; thou shalt not curse [0779] the people [05971]: for they are blessed [01288].

³ And he said [0559], I am God [0410], the God [0430] of thy father [01]: fear [03372] not to go down [03381] into Egypt [04714]; for I will there make [07760] of thee a great [01419] nation [01471]:

¹⁰ And Balak's [01111] anger [0639] was kindled [02734] against Balaam [01109], and he smote [05606] his hands [03709] together [05606]: and Balak [01111] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], I called [07121] thee to curse [06895] mine enemies [0341], and, behold, thou hast altogether [01288] blessed [01288] them these three [07969] times [06471].

³² And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten [05221] thine ass [0860] these three [07969] times [07272]? behold, I went out [03318] to withstand [07854] thee, because thy way [01870] is perverse [03399] before me:
³³ And the ass [0860] saw [07200] me, and turned [05186] from me [06440] these three [07969] times [07272]: unless [0194] she had turned [05186] from me [06440], surely now also I had slain [02026] thee, and saved her alive [02421].

²⁸ And the LORD [03068] opened [06605] the mouth [06310] of the ass [0860], and she said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], What have I done [06213] unto thee, that thou hast smitten [05221] me these three [07969] times [07272]?

³⁵ And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], Go [03212] with the men [0582]: but only [0657] the word [01697] that I shall speak [01696] unto thee, that thou shalt speak [01696]. So Balaam [01109] went [03212] with the princes [08269] of Balak [01111].

¹¹ Woe [3759] unto them [846]! for [3754] they have gone [4198] in the way [3598] of Cain [2535], and [2532] ran greedily after [1632] the error [4106] of Balaam [903] for reward [3408], and [2532] perished [622] in the gainsaying [485] of Core [2879].