Numbers 22:31

Numbers 22:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
• New International Version (NIV)Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

Context of Numbers 22:31

29And Balaam said to the donkey, “You have made me look stupid; I wish there were a sword in my hand, for I would kill you right now.” 30The donkey said to Balaam, “Am not I your donkey that you have ridden ever since I was yours until this day? Have I ever attempted to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.” Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; so he bowed his head and threw himself down with his face to the ground. 32The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing is perverse before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. If she had not turned from me, I would have killed you but saved her alive.”

Numbers 22:31 word by word

וַיְגַ֣ל יְהוָה֮ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהוָה֙ נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ שְׁלֻפָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיִּקֹּ֥ד וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לְאַפָּֽיו׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Then the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• openedגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: uncoverH1540
• the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• of Balaamבִּלְעָםbil‛âm · BalaamH1109
• and he sawרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• the angelמַלְאָךְmal'âk · messenger: angelH4397
• standingנָצַבnâtsab · to standH5324
• in the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
• and his swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• drawnשָׁלַףshâlaph · to drawH8025
• in his handיָדyâd · handH3027
• and he bowed downקָדַדqâdad · to bowH6915
• his head, and fell flatשָׁחָהshâchâh · to bowH7812
• on his faceאַף'aph · faceH639

Cross-references for Numbers 22:31

• Numbers 24:4the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open:
• Genesis 21:19Then God enabled Hagar to see a well of water. She went over and filled the skin with water, and then gave the boy a drink.
• 2 Kings 6:17Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
• 1 Chronicles 21:16David looked up and saw the Lord’s messenger standing between the earth and sky with his sword drawn and in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. David and the leaders, covered with sackcloth, threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.
• Luke 24:16(but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
• Exodus 34:8Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshiped
• Psalms 9:20Terrify them, Lord! Let the nations know they are mere mortals! (Selah)
• John 18:6So when Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they retreated and fell to the ground.

Commentaries on Numbers 22:31

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-35Verses 22-35 We must not think, that because God does not always by his providence restrain men from sin, therefore he approves of it, or that it is not hateful to him. The holy angels oppose sin, and perhaps are employed in preventing it more than we are aware. This angel was an adversary to Balaam, because Balaam counted him his adversary; those are really our best friends, and we ought so to reckon them, who stop our progress in sinful ways. Balaam has…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28-31The only similar event in Scripture is the serpent talking to Eve (Genesis 3:1–5). God used the donkey to correct the foolish diviner (2 Peter 2:15–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-4121. Balaam ... saddled his ass--probably one of the white sprightly animals which persons of rank were accustomed to ride. The saddle, as usually in the East, would be nothing more than a pad or his outer cloak.Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 22:31

• Angel (a Spirit)
• Animals
• Ass (Donkey)
• Balaam
• Repentance

In the dictionaries

• Balaam
• Angel of the Lord
• Crush
• Curse
• Lick
• Promote
• Abel-Shittim
• Adoration
• Angel
• Ass

Commentaries on Numbers 22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings