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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.

Context of Numbers 22:31

29Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 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. 32The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

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 prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
• Genesis 21:19Then 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.
• 2 Kings 6:17And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
• 1 Chronicles 21:16David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.
• Luke 24:16but they were kept from recognizing him.
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
• Exodus 34:8Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.
• Psalms 9:20Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal.
• John 18:6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back 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