Deep Dive

Numbers 22:27

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When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 27

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. 27

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 רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) מַקֵּל (maqqêl, H4731) — a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining)

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Cross-references

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

Proverbs 14:16rank 4

A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

James 1:19rank 3

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

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