Numbers22

King Balak of Moab, fearing the numerous Israelites, sends for the prophet Balaam to curse them. God initially forbids Balaam from going, but later permits him with a strict command to speak only what He dictates. On his journey, Balaam's ass miraculously speaks after being beaten for seeing the Angel of the LORD, who reveals Balaam's perverse way and reiterates God's command to speak only His words.

Israel Encamped; Moab’s Fear

1
The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. ​
2
Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3
Moab was very afraid of the people, because they were many. Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. ​
4
Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. ​

Balak Summons Balaam

5
He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me. ​
6
Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” ​
7
The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8
He said to them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak to me.” The princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. ​
9
God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10
Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,
11
‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse me them. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”
12
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.” ​
13
Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for the LORD refuses to permit me to go with you.”
14
The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

Balak Sends More Honorable Princes

15
Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.
16
They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
17
for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.’” ​
18
Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
19
Now therefore, please wait also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will speak to me more.”
20
God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.” ​
21
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. ​

The Angel Confronts Balaam

22
God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the LORD’s angel placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. ​
23
The donkey saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the way.
24
Then the LORD’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25
The donkey saw the LORD’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.
26
the LORD’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27
The donkey saw the LORD’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28
The LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” ​
29
Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”
30
The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?” He said, “No.”
31
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
32
the LORD’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. ​
33
The donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”
34
Balaam said to the LORD’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”
35
the LORD’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. ​

Balaam Arrives in Moab

36
When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
37
Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send to you to call you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?”
38
Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.” ​
39
Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
40
Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.
41
In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the people. ​

Study Notes for Numbers 22

Verse 1

The plains of Moab, east of the Jordan, were the final staging ground before Israel entered the Promised Land. This location directly threatened the Moabite kingdom.

Verse 3

Moab’s fear was justified following Israel's recent victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og (Num 21). They recognized Israel’s military power was overwhelming.

Verse 4

The alliance between Moab and Midian shows their shared desperation. This coalition later led to the disastrous seduction of Israel at Peor (Num 25).

Verse 5

Balaam, a diviner from Pethor (near the Euphrates), was known even far away for his potent connection to the divine, demonstrating Balak's deep fear and willingness to pay highly for magical intervention.

Verse 6

Balak’s request reflects the Ancient Near Eastern belief that a curse pronounced by a powerful seer could determine the outcome of a conflict, overriding military strength.

Verse 8

Balaam, though not an Israelite, appears to know and communicate with YHWH (the LORD). He attempts to treat divine revelation as a transaction or consultation.

Verse 12

God’s refusal is absolute and theological: Israel is already 'blessed' by divine covenant, and this blessing cannot be overturned by any human or magical means.

Verse 17

Balak offers Balaam 'very great honour' (a massive bribe) to overcome God’s initial prohibition, testing Balaam’s loyalty between divine command and material wealth.

Verse 20

God grants conditional permission, knowing Balaam’s heart is set on the reward. The critical restriction remains: Balaam must only speak the exact word given to him.

Verse 21

Balaam’s immediate departure, saddling his own ass, suggests his eager readiness to capitalize on the opportunity despite God’s clear reluctance and previous command (v. 12).

Verse 22

God’s anger was kindled not because Balaam went (which was technically permitted, v. 20), but because his motivation was perverse—he sought the reward against God’s clear will.

Verse 28

The miracle of the talking ass serves to humiliate Balaam, showing that the animal possessed greater spiritual sight and obedience to God’s obstacle than the supposed prophet.

Verse 32

The Angel confirms that Balaam’s 'way is perverse' (i.e., reckless, headstrong, or motivated by greed). Balaam was focused on the journey and the reward, ignoring the danger.

Verse 35

Balaam is allowed to proceed, but stripped of any independent power. His role is reduced to a passive mouthpiece, ensuring God controls the outcome.

Verse 38

Balaam, having learned his lesson via the Angel, immediately establishes the boundary to Balak: he has no power to speak anything other than God’s word.

Verse 41

Balak takes Balaam to the 'high places of Baal,' indicating that the king planned to use both Balaam’s foreign divination and local Canaanite religion to curse Israel.

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