King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then ADONAI opened Bil'am's eyes, so that he could see the angel of ADONAI standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, and he bowed his head and fell on his face.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then the LORD{H3068} opened{H1540} the eyes{H5869} of Balaam{H1109}, and he saw{H7200} the angel{H4397} of the LORD{H3068} standing{H5324} in the way{H1870}, and his sword{H2719} drawn{H8025} in his hand{H3027}: and he bowed down{H6915} his head, and fell flat{H7812} on his face{H639}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 21:19
- And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
Acts 26:18
- To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Luke 24:16
- But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Luke 24:31
- And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Exodus 34:8
- And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
Numbers 24:16
- He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:
Psalms 9:20
- Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] men. Selah.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 22:31
Numbers 22:31 is part of the narrative involving Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. The Moabites fear the growing power and number of the Israelites as they journey toward the Promised Land. Balak believes that Balaam's curses can halt their progress. However, God is protective of His people and instructs Balaam not to go with Balak's messengers nor to curse the Israelites.
In this verse, Balaam is on his way to meet Balak despite God's initial prohibition. The verse captures a pivotal moment when God intervenes supernaturally. The Lord "opened the eyes of Balaam," allowing him to see the angel of the Lord, a theophany or visible manifestation of God's presence, with a drawn sword. This divine intervention is a direct response to Balaam's disobedience, highlighting God's sovereignty and the danger of opposing His will.
The angel stands as an obstacle in Balaam's path, a literal and metaphorical roadblock. Balaam's reaction is one of immediate submission and repentance; he bows his head and falls flat on his face, recognizing the gravity of his situation and the divine presence. This moment of revelation and subsequent humility before the angel underscores themes of divine guidance, the importance of obedience to God, and the limitation of human vision without divine illumination.
Historically, this account reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in the power of blessings and curses, as well as the role of prophets as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. It also serves as a narrative demonstrating God's control over all nations and His commitment to the covenant with Israel, ensuring their journey to the land promised to their ancestors.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H1540
There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּלָה
Transliteration: gâlâh
Pronunciation: gaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal; [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H1109
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְעָם
Transliteration: Bilʻâm
Pronunciation: bil-awm'
Description: probably from בַּל and עַם; not (of the) people, i.e. foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine; Balaam, Bileam. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H4397
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
Transliteration: mălʼâk
Pronunciation: mal-awk'
Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger. - Strong's Number: H5324
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַב
Transliteration: nâtsab
Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H2719
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶרֶב
Transliteration: chereb
Pronunciation: kheh'-reb
Description: from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. - Strong's Number: H8025
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַף
Transliteration: shâlaph
Pronunciation: saw-laf'
Description: a primitive root; to pull out, up or off; draw (off), grow up, pluck off. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H6915
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדַד
Transliteration: qâdad
Pronunciation: kaw-dad'
Description: a primitive root; to shrivel up, i.e. contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference; bow (down) (the) head, stoop. - Strong's Number: H7812
There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁחָה
Transliteration: shâchâh
Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. - Strong's Number: H639
There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַף
Transliteration: ʼaph
Pronunciation: af
Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath.