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Numbers 22:31

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Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 31

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. 31

יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine 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) נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… שָׁלַף (shâlaph, H8025) — to pull out, up or off יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), קָדַד (qâdad, H6915) — to shrivel up, i.e. contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…

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Cross-references

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

Genesis 21:19rank 6

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

Luke 24:31rank 5

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.

Luke 24:16rank 4

But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

Numbers 24:4rank 4

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 24:16rank 4

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Acts 26:18rank 4

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

I Chronicles 21:16rank 4

When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

Psalms 9:20rank 3

Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah

Exodus 34:8rank 3

Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

John 18:6rank 3

When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

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