Numbers 22:22

¶ And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants [were] with him.

And God's {H430} anger {H639} was kindled {H2734} because he went {H1980}: and the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} stood {H3320} in the way {H1870} for an adversary {H7854} against him. Now he was riding {H7392} upon his ass {H860}, and his two {H8147} servants {H5288} were with him.

But God's anger flared up because he went, and the angel of ADONAI stationed himself on the path to bar his way. He was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

And God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

Commentary

Context of Numbers 22:22

Numbers 22:22 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. This verse immediately follows Balaam's decision to go with the Moabite princes, despite God having previously told him not to curse Israel (Numbers 22:12). Though God later granted him conditional permission to go if the men came again, it was clear Balaam's heart was set on the reward offered by Balak, the king of Moab, which God opposed (compare Numbers 22:20 with the subsequent anger). The divine anger here suggests Balaam's intention was not pure obedience, but rather driven by personal gain, leading to God's intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Opposition to Disobedience: God's anger is kindled not merely because Balaam went, but because he went with a heart inclined towards disobedience and personal profit, despite knowing God's will. This highlights God's active opposition to those who defy His purposes, especially when motivated by greed or malice against His people.
  • The Angel of the LORD: The appearance of "the angel of the LORD" (often understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ or a divine messenger representing God Himself) signifies a direct, powerful divine intervention. This figure stands as an "adversary," directly hindering Balaam's path.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even when humans attempt to act against God's will, He retains ultimate control and can use any means—even an unseen obstacle or a talking donkey—to thwart their plans and protect His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "the angel of the LORD" is from the Hebrew malakh Yahweh, which frequently denotes a special manifestation of God's presence or a divine messenger acting with God's full authority.
  • The word translated "adversary" is the Hebrew satan. In this context, it simply means an 'opponent' or 'one who stands in the way,' and does not refer to Satan, the devil, as a proper name. It describes the angel's role in hindering Balaam's journey.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees beyond our outward actions to the intentions of our hearts. Even if we claim to be serving God, if our motives are impure or our path is contrary to His clear will, we may find ourselves facing divine opposition. The story of Balaam underscores the importance of true obedience to God's commands, not just outward compliance. It also illustrates that God will go to extraordinary lengths, even using unexpected means like a donkey, to confront human stubbornness and protect His people. This narrative stands as a warning against the "error of Balaam" (Jude 1:11) and the "doctrine of Balaam" (Revelation 2:14), which involves leading others astray for personal gain.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 22:32

    And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because [thy] way is perverse before me:

  • Exodus 4:24

    ¶ And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

  • Lamentations 2:4

    He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all [that were] pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

  • Hosea 1:4

    And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little [while], and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

  • 2 Kings 10:20

    And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed [it].

  • Exodus 23:20

    ¶ Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

  • Hosea 12:4

    Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Bethel, and there he spake with us;
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