Numbers 22:22

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:22 marks a critical turning point in the narrative of Balaam, revealing God's intense displeasure with the prophet's journey to curse Israel. Despite God's initial prohibition and subsequent conditional permission, Balaam's heart was set on personal gain, provoking divine anger. The verse describes the dramatic intervention of the Angel of the LORD, who stands as an "adversary" in Balaam's path, setting the stage for the miraculous encounter with the donkey and the subsequent confrontation, all orchestrated by God to thwart Balaam's mercenary intentions and protect His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 22:22 is situated within the broader narrative of Balaam, which spans [Numbers 22](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam's First Encounter with God") through [Numbers 24](/numbers/24 "Numbers 24 - Balaam's Final Prophecies"). The preceding verses establish Balak's desperate attempt to hire Balaam to curse Israel, who were encamped on the plains of Moab. God initially forbids Balaam from going ([Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God's Initial Prohibition to Balaam")), but when Balak sends more prestigious envoys with greater promises, Balaam consults God again. God grants conditional permission, stating, "If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do" ([Numbers 22:20](/numbers/22-20 "Numbers 22:20 - God's Conditional Permission")). However, the immediate kindling of God's anger in [Numbers 22:22](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - God's Anger and the Angel's Intervention") suggests that Balaam's eager departure, perhaps driven by greed rather than pure obedience, violated the spirit of God's conditional permission. The verse immediately sets up the dramatic encounter with the donkey, which begins in [Numbers 22:23](/numbers/22-23 "Numbers 22:23 - The Donkey Sees the Angel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 22 occur as the Israelites are poised on the plains of Moab, preparing to enter the Promised Land. This period, following their wilderness wanderings, was a time of significant transition and confrontation with surrounding nations. Moab, fearing the vast Israelite host, resorted to spiritual warfare by hiring a renowned diviner, Balaam. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kings to employ seers or prophets to invoke blessings or curses upon their enemies, believing such pronouncements held real power. Balaam, though not an Israelite, was recognized as a prophet whose blessings and curses were effective ([Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak's Request to Balaam")). His journey on a donkey, accompanied by servants, reflects typical travel arrangements for a person of his standing. The appearance of the Angel of the LORD signifies a direct divine intervention into human affairs, a concept familiar in the biblical narrative, often indicating a moment of profound theological significance or crisis.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights God's **sovereignty** over human will and intentions, demonstrating that even when humans attempt to act against His purposes, God retains ultimate control and can thwart their plans. The kindling of God's anger underscores the theme of **divine justice** and the seriousness with which God views disobedience, especially when motivated by covetousness, as seen in Balaam's pursuit of Balak's reward. Furthermore, the intervention of the Angel of the LORD emphasizes God's unwavering **protection of His covenant people, Israel**. Even when they are unaware, God actively defends them against spiritual and physical threats. This episode also serves as a warning against **false prophecy** and the dangers of compromising divine truth for personal gain, a theme later echoed in the New Testament concerning the "error of Balaam" ([2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - The Error of Balaam") and [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Way of Cain and the Error of Balaam")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anger (Hebrew, _charah'_):** The verb `חרה` (charah) literally means "to burn" or "to be kindled," and is frequently used to describe God's anger or wrath. Its use here indicates a strong, passionate displeasure on God's part, not merely a mild annoyance. The immediate kindling of God's anger upon Balaam's departure reveals that Balaam's going, despite the conditional permission, was rooted in a heart that was not fully aligned with God's will but was instead driven by covetousness. God saw beyond the outward action to the impure motive.
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _mal'akh Yahweh'_):** This specific phrase, `מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה` (mal'akh Yahweh), refers not to an ordinary angel but often to a unique manifestation of God Himself, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, or a divine messenger acting with God's full authority and presence. The Angel of the LORD frequently appears at pivotal moments in Israel's history, acting as God's representative, delivering messages, or executing divine judgment/protection. His standing "in the way" signifies a direct, personal, and powerful divine intervention.
* **Adversary (Hebrew, _satan'_):** The word `שָׂטָן` (satan) here is used as a common noun, meaning "opponent," "adversary," or "one who stands in the way." It describes the *role* the Angel of the LORD takes in this specific instance—to oppose and hinder Balaam's journey. It does not refer to Satan, the devil, as a proper name. The Angel's purpose was to obstruct Balaam's path and prevent him from fulfilling his wicked intention to curse Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God's anger was kindled because he went:"** This clause immediately establishes the divine perspective on Balaam's journey. While God had given conditional permission ("If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them"), Balaam's eagerness and underlying motivation (greed, as later revealed in [2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - Balaam's Love for Unrighteous Gain") and [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Error of Balaam")) were contrary to God's ultimate purpose. God's anger signifies that Balaam's heart was not pure in seeking God's will but was swayed by the promise of reward, making his departure an act of disobedience in spirit, if not in letter.
* **"and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him."** This introduces the divine agent of opposition. The "Angel of the LORD" is a powerful, divine figure who actively positions himself as an obstacle. This is not a passive observation but an active, confrontational stance designed to prevent Balaam from proceeding. The Angel's role as an "adversary" highlights the direct divine opposition to Balaam's intentions and journey.
* **"Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants [were] with him."** This final clause provides the immediate physical setting. Balaam is depicted as a man of some standing, traveling with his own mount and attendants. This detail sets the scene for the dramatic events that follow, where the humble donkey becomes the instrument of God's revelation, seeing what the prophet himself cannot. It underscores the mundane reality into which the miraculous divine intervention suddenly intrudes.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:22 employs several significant literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "God's anger was kindled," attributing human emotion (anger) and action (kindling) to God to convey His intense displeasure. This device helps the reader grasp the depth of divine feeling. The passage also sets up a profound **Irony** that unfolds in the subsequent verses: a prophet, supposedly attuned to divine communication, is spiritually blind to the presence of God's messenger, while his lowly animal sees what he cannot. This highlights Balaam's spiritual dullness due to his corrupt motives. Furthermore, the appearance of the Angel of the LORD as an "adversary" functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling an impending confrontation and divine intervention that will drastically alter Balaam's journey and ultimately prevent him from cursing Israel. The Angel and the donkey can also be seen as **Symbolism** for God's active involvement in the world, using both powerful divine agents and humble, unexpected instruments to achieve His purposes and protect His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:22 profoundly illustrates God's active sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to protect His covenant people. It reveals that God's anger is not arbitrary but a righteous response to a heart that, despite outward compliance, is driven by covetousness and defiance of His ultimate will. The intervention of the Angel of the LORD underscores that God is not a distant deity but one who directly intervenes in human affairs, even using extraordinary means, to thwart the plans of those who would harm His chosen ones. This episode serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of valuing personal gain over divine obedience and highlights the spiritual blindness that can accompany impure motives, even in those who claim to serve God.

* [2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - Balaam's Folly and the Rebuking Donkey")
* [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Way of Cain, the Error of Balaam, and the Rebellion of Korah")
* [Revelation 2:14](/revelation/2-14 "Revelation 2:14 - The Doctrine of Balaam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:22 serves as a stark and sobering reminder that God sees beyond our outward actions to the true intentions of our hearts. Balaam's story challenges us to examine our own motives when we claim to be following God. Are we truly seeking His will, or are we secretly driven by personal gain, recognition, or comfort? God's anger here is a testament to His intolerance for hypocrisy and spiritual compromise. This passage encourages us to cultivate a heart of pure obedience, understanding that even seemingly "permitted" paths can lead to divine opposition if our underlying desires are contrary to God's character and purposes. It also offers immense comfort, demonstrating God's active and powerful protection over His people, even when they are unaware of the dangers they face or the divine interventions on their behalf. We are called to walk in integrity, trusting that God will always stand as our defender against those who seek to harm us or His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What hidden motives might be influencing my decisions, even when I appear to be doing God's will?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually blind to God's active presence or opposition?**
* **How does God's protection of Israel in this passage encourage me in my own walk of faith?**
* **What "adversaries" might God be placing in my path to redirect me from a harmful course?**

### FAQ

**Why was God angry if He gave Balaam permission to go?**

Answer: God's anger was not simply because Balaam went, but because of *how* and *why* he went. God's initial command was an outright prohibition: "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" ([Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God's Initial Prohibition")). When Balak sent more distinguished princes, Balaam, despite knowing God's will, seemed eager to go, perhaps enticed by the greater honor and reward. God's subsequent conditional permission ("If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do" [Numbers 22:20](/numbers/22-20 "Numbers 22:20 - God's Conditional Permission")) was a test of Balaam's heart. Balaam's immediate and eager departure, without waiting to be called again and with a clear intent to profit from cursing Israel, revealed his covetous motives and spiritual disobedience. God's anger was kindled because Balaam's heart was not pure; he was going against God's ultimate will for personal gain, even while outwardly appearing to follow a divine instruction. This highlights that God judges not only actions but also intentions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The appearance of the "Angel of the LORD" in Numbers 22:22 carries profound Christological significance. Many biblical scholars interpret this figure as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. As the divine "adversary" who stands in Balaam's way, this Angel foreshadows Christ's ultimate role as the one who opposes sin, spiritual blindness, and all forces that seek to harm God's people. Unlike Balaam, who was driven by greed and ultimately led Israel astray through his counsel ([Numbers 31:16](/numbers/31-16 "Numbers 31:16 - Balaam's Counsel to Israel")), Jesus perfectly fulfilled the will of God, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the true Prophet, Priest, and King who never compromises truth for personal gain, but rather laid down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). Just as the Angel protected Israel from Balaam's intended curse, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, has removed the curse of sin for all who believe, becoming our ultimate protector and advocate ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). His perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Balaam's flawed intentions, demonstrating that true blessing comes only through submission to God's righteous will, perfectly embodied in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

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;