Numbers 22:21

KJV

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balaam {H1109} rose up {H6965} in the morning {H1242}, and saddled {H2280} his ass {H860}, and went {H3212} with the princes {H8269} of Moab {H4124}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Bil'am got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Mo'av.

Berean Standard Bible

So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

American Standard Version

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:21 describes Balaam's swift and decisive action to depart with the Moabite princes, immediately following God's conditional permission. This verse marks a critical transition from divine deliberation to human initiative, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation with the Angel of the Lord and subtly revealing the prophet's underlying eagerness for worldly gain despite God's explicit instructions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of Balaam. Prior to this, King Balak of Moab, in fear of the numerous Israelites, had twice dispatched increasingly influential delegations to Balaam, a renowned diviner, seeking his services to curse Israel. Initially, God unequivocally prohibited Balaam from accompanying them or cursing His chosen people, stating, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" [Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God's Initial Prohibition to Balaam"). However, after Balak’s second, more insistent plea, accompanied by promises of greater honor and reward, Balaam again consulted the Lord. This time, God granted a conditional permission: Balaam could go, but he was strictly commanded to speak only what God put in his mouth, "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do" [Numbers 22:20](/numbers/22-20 "Numbers 22:20 - God's Conditional Permission"). Numbers 22:21 immediately follows this conditional divine allowance, depicting Balaam’s prompt and eager response, which then precipitates God’s profound anger in the subsequent verse [Numbers 22:22](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - God's Anger at Balaam's Journey").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this event is the plains of Moab, situated east of the Jordan River, where the Israelite encampment was positioned just prior to their entry into the land of Canaan. Moab, a Transjordanian kingdom, felt acutely threatened by Israel's recent decisive victories over the Amorites. Balaam, originating from Pethor in Mesopotamia (a region known for its diviners), was a non-Israelite prophet or seer whose reputation for effectively pronouncing blessings and curses was widespread and highly esteemed throughout the ancient Near East. In this cultural milieu, kings and leaders frequently sought out such figures to influence military outcomes or secure divine favor, often offering substantial payment. Balaam's personal act of "saddling his ass" himself, rather than delegating this task to a servant, is a subtle but telling detail. It suggests a degree of personal haste or eagerness that would be unusual for a man of his perceived stature, providing an early hint at his underlying motivation and mercenary inclination.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 22:21 encapsulates several profound theological and narrative themes. It starkly highlights the tension between **divine permission and divine will**, demonstrating that while God may permit a course of action, His pleasure and endorsement are contingent upon the heart's disposition. Balaam is allowed to go, yet God is displeased with his underlying eagerness for reward, a disposition later condemned as the "way of Balaam" [2_peter/2-15](/2-peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - The Way of Balaam") and "Balaam's error for reward" [jude/1-11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Jude's Warning Against Balaam's Error"). The verse also underscores **Balaam's ambiguous motives**; while he outwardly complies with God's command to go, his alacrity suggests a desire for Balak's riches overshadowing a pure desire to serve God's purposes. Ultimately, this passage reinforces the overarching theme of **God's unwavering sovereignty** over all human actions and intentions. It demonstrates that God's divine plan for Israel cannot be thwarted, regardless of human schemes, the machinations of kings, or even a prophet's compromised heart, as seen throughout the entire account in [Numbers 22](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam and the Donkey").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"rose up" (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This verb (H6965, _qûwm'_) signifies more than just waking; it denotes an active rising or getting up to take decisive action. In this context, it emphasizes Balaam's promptness and readiness, highlighting the immediate and perhaps eager nature of his response to God's conditional permission. It suggests a swift movement towards initiating his journey, indicating a strong personal desire to proceed.
* **"saddled" (Hebrew, _châbash'_):** This verb (H2280, _châbash'_) means to bind, harness, or saddle. The detail that Balaam *himself* performed this task is profoundly significant. For a man of his perceived stature and influence, this was typically a servant's duty. His personal involvement underscores his unusual haste and eagerness, subtly hinting at his underlying motivation and personal investment in the journey and its potential rewards from Balak.
* **"ass" (Hebrew, _ʼâthôwn'_):** This specific term (H860, _ʼâthôwn'_) refers to a female donkey. This seemingly minor detail is profoundly significant as it is this very animal that later plays a pivotal and ironic role, displaying greater spiritual perception than Balaam himself and rebuking the prophet for his wayward path [Numbers 22:28-30](/numbers/22-28-30 "Numbers 22:28-30 - The Donkey Speaks to Balaam"). Its mention here sets the stage for the dramatic and unexpected divine intervention that will soon follow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balaam rose up in the morning":** This clause immediately establishes Balaam's promptness and alacrity. The mention of "in the morning" suggests an early and determined departure, indicating that Balaam wasted no time after receiving God's conditional permission. This swift action reveals a strong personal desire to proceed with the journey, likely fueled by the anticipated rewards from King Balak.
* **"and saddled his ass":** This action further emphasizes Balaam's personal involvement and haste. The fact that he undertook this menial task himself, rather than delegating it to a servant, subtly but powerfully underscores his eagerness for the journey. It reveals a personal investment in the venture, hinting at the mercenary motives that will soon become apparent and incur divine displeasure.
* **"and went with the princes of Moab":** This final clause describes the direct outcome of Balaam's preparation. He joined the delegation sent by Balak, outwardly fulfilling God's permission to go. However, as the subsequent narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that his *manner* of going and his underlying intentions were not aligned with God's perfect will, leading directly to the dramatic confrontation with the Angel of the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:21 masterfully employs several subtle yet potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as Balaam's swift and eager departure, particularly his personal act of saddling his donkey, subtly hints at a mercenary motive and a compromised heart that will soon incur divine wrath. This action directly precedes the account of God's anger in [Numbers 22:22](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - God's Anger at Balaam's Journey"), setting up the dramatic tension. There is also a strong element of **irony** at play: Balaam, a renowned diviner who supposedly communicates with God, is so eager to pursue worldly gain that he lacks true spiritual discernment, setting the stage for his profound humiliation when his own animal displays greater spiritual insight than he does [Numbers 22:28](/numbers/22-28 "Numbers 22:28 - The Donkey Speaks"). The **pacing** of the narrative is also noteworthy; the rapid succession of verbs ("rose up," "saddled," "went") creates a palpable sense of urgency and decisiveness on Balaam's part, which stands in stark contrast to the divine reservation and displeasure that is soon to be revealed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:21 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of obedience and the critical importance of pure motives in the sight of God. While God granted Balaam permission to go, the subsequent narrative unequivocally reveals that this was a permissive will, not an endorsement of Balaam's heart or his journey's underlying purpose. Balaam's eagerness, evidenced by his prompt action and personal effort in saddling his donkey, strongly suggests a heart driven by the allure of Balak's rewards rather than a humble, pure submission to God's ultimate purpose. This crucial distinction between outward compliance and inward alignment with God's will is a recurring biblical theme, serving as a solemn warning against a superficial religiosity that seeks to manipulate God for personal gain. It powerfully underscores the truth that God sees beyond our actions to the deepest intentions of our hearts, and even when He permits a path, He may still judge the spirit in which we walk it.

* [2 Peter 2:15](/2-peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - The Way of Balaam")
* [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Balaam's Error for Reward")
* [Revelation 2:14](/revelation/2-14 "Revelation 2:14 - The Teaching of Balaam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:21 offers a powerful and enduring cautionary tale for believers today. Balaam's story reminds us that outward obedience or even receiving a "green light" from God does not automatically validate our motives or guarantee divine pleasure. His eagerness to depart, despite the implicit warnings and the conditional nature of God's permission, serves as a mirror for our own lives. How often do we eagerly pursue opportunities that promise worldly benefit—whether financial gain, professional recognition, or personal comfort—even when we sense a subtle divine reservation or when our hearts are not fully aligned with God's kingdom purposes? True spiritual maturity involves not just discerning God's permissive will, but actively seeking and humbly submitting to His perfect will, diligently examining our hearts for any hidden agendas, self-serving desires, or mercenary inclinations. This verse challenges us to pause, reflect deeply, and ensure that our "saddling of the ass" is truly undertaken for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom, and not primarily for personal enrichment or ambition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between God's permissive will (what He allows) and His perfect will (what truly pleases Him) in my life decisions and pursuits?**
* **What "donkeys" do I eagerly saddle in my own life, perhaps driven by personal gain, ambition, or comfort, even when there might be a subtle sense of divine reservation or a call to deeper sacrifice?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is truly aligned with God's desires, ensuring my motives are pure and my actions are genuinely pleasing to Him, even when pursuing seemingly good opportunities?**

### FAQ
**Why was God angry with Balaam if He gave him permission to go?**

Answer: God's anger, vividly described in [Numbers 22:22](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - God's Anger at Balaam's Journey"), was not because Balaam went, but because of *how* he went and the underlying disposition of his heart. God's permission in [Numbers 22:20](/numbers/22-20 "Numbers 22:20 - God's Conditional Permission") was strictly conditional: "only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do." Balaam's eager departure, particularly his personal act of saddling his own donkey, strongly suggests a mercenary motive—a keen desire for the significant rewards offered by Balak. His heart was set on personal gain and worldly honor rather than a pure, humble obedience to God's will. God permits certain actions, but He always judges the heart and intentions behind them. Balaam's journey, though permitted, was undertaken with a spirit contrary to God's perfect will, leading to profound divine displeasure and intervention.

**What is the significance of Balaam saddling his own donkey?**

Answer: This seemingly minor detail is highly significant and provides crucial insight into Balaam's character and motives. For a prophet or diviner of Balaam's stature and reputation in the ancient Near East, it would be customary to have servants or attendants to perform such menial tasks as saddling an animal. His personal act of saddling his own donkey suggests an unusual degree of haste and eagerness. It implies that he was so keen to embark on the journey and secure the promised rewards from Balak that he bypassed normal protocol or did not wait for his servants. This detail subtly but powerfully underscores Balaam's personal investment and mercenary motives from the very outset of his journey, hinting at the "error for reward" that later biblical texts explicitly condemn [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Balaam's Error for Reward").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Balaam, particularly his eager departure driven by the allure of reward, stands in stark and illuminating contrast to the perfect obedience and selfless mission of Jesus Christ. Balaam, a prophet for hire, sought to curse God's people for personal gain, ultimately failing because God's sovereign will prevailed. In profound contrast, Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, came not to curse but to bless and redeem. He did not pursue earthly riches, human acclaim, or personal comfort, but perfectly submitted to His Father's will, even to the point of sacrificial death on a cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"). While Balaam's heart was corrupted by the "wages of unrighteousness" [2 Peter 2:15](/2-peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - The Way of Balaam"), Christ freely offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon Himself the curse of sin that we might receive the blessing of Abraham and the Spirit [Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse"). Balaam's inability to curse Israel powerfully foreshadows God's unwavering protection of His people, a protection fully realized in Christ, who has conquered all spiritual adversaries and secured eternal blessing for those who believe in Him [Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31-39 "Romans 8:31-39 - God Is For Us"). The "way of Balaam" is the perilous path of self-interest and spiritual compromise; the way of Christ is the path of self-denial, truth, and abundant life [Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 1:15

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.