Deep Dive

Numbers 22:25

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And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 25

At this chapter begins the famous story of Balak and Balaam, their attempt to curse Israel, and the baffling of that attempt; God's people are long afterwards told to remember what Balak the king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, that they might know the righteousness of the Lord, Mic 6:5. In this chapter we have, I. Balak's fear of Israel, and the plot he had to get them cursed (Num 22:1-4). II. The embassy he sent to Balaam, a conjurer, to fetch him for that purpose, and the disappointment he met with in the first embassy (Num 22:5-14). III. Balaam's coming to him upon his second message (Num 22:15-21). IV. The opposition Balaam met with by the way (Num 22:22-35). V. The interview at length between Balak and Balaam (Num 22:36, etc.).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 25

אָתוֹן (ʼâthôwn, H860) — a female donkey (from its docility) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לָחַץ (lâchats, H3905) — properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Isaiah 47:12rank 3

So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

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