Numbers 22:25

KJV

And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the ass {H860} saw {H7200} the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, she thrust {H3905} herself unto the wall {H7023}, and crushed {H3905} Balaam's {H1109} foot {H7272} against the wall {H7023}: and he smote {H5221} her again {H3254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The donkey saw the angel of ADONAI and pushed up against the wall, crushing Bil'am's foot against the wall. So he beat it again.

Berean Standard Bible

And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.

American Standard Version

And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:25 captures the second, more intense confrontation in a series of divine interventions designed to halt Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner, from cursing Israel. In this critical moment, Balaam's donkey, supernaturally endowed with sight, perceives the "angel of the LORD" blocking their path in a narrow passage. Reacting out of self-preservation and divine compulsion, the donkey presses forcefully against a wall, crushing Balaam's foot. This painful incident starkly highlights Balaam's profound spiritual blindness and stubbornness, as he responds with violence rather than recognizing the extraordinary nature of his animal's behavior, setting the stage for the donkey's miraculous speech and God's ultimate revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 22:25 is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of Balaam, which spans [Numbers 22](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam's Journey and the Angel") through [Numbers 24](/numbers/24 "Numbers 24 - Balaam's Oracles"), forming a distinct and crucial episode in Israel's wilderness journey. The immediate preceding verses, [Numbers 22:22-24](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22-24 - The Angel Appears to Balaam's Donkey"), detail God's anger at Balaam's eager departure with the Moabite envoys, despite an initial divine prohibition. The "angel of the LORD" first appears in [Numbers 22:22](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - God's Anger at Balaam") to obstruct Balaam's way. The donkey's initial swerving into a field ([Numbers 22:23](/numbers/22-23 "Numbers 22:23 - Donkey Turns Aside")) and Balaam's subsequent beating of the animal establish a pattern of escalating divine intervention and human obtuseness. This verse intensifies the conflict, leading directly to the angel's third, inescapable stand ([Numbers 22:26](/numbers/22-26 "Numbers 22:26 - The Angel in a Narrow Place")) and the donkey's miraculous speech in [Numbers 22:28](/numbers/22-28 "Numbers 22:28 - The Donkey Speaks"). The repeated divine obstruction underscores the gravity of Balaam's mercenary mission and God's unwavering, sovereign protection of His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds as the Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, positioned to enter the promised land, following their recent victories over the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan, as recounted in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - The Bronze Serpent and Victories"). Balak, the king of Moab, is deeply fearful of the vast Israelite multitude, recalling their recent military successes ([Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel Defeats Sihon and Og")). In the ancient Near East, it was a widespread practice for nations to employ seers, diviners, or prophets to invoke curses upon their enemies or blessings upon their armies, believing that such pronouncements held tangible, supernatural power. Balaam, hailing from Pethor in Mesopotamia, was renowned for his prophetic and divinatory abilities, a reputation acknowledged by Balak in [Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak Sends for Balaam"). The cultural expectation was that a prophet could be hired to manipulate divine favor. However, the God of Israel powerfully demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all such practices, turning Balaam's intended curses into blessings, as vividly portrayed in [Numbers 23](/numbers/23 "Numbers 23 - Balaam's First Two Oracles") and [Numbers 24](/numbers/24 "Numbers 24 - Balaam's Last Oracles").

* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, showcasing God's active, direct, and often unconventional intervention to safeguard His covenant people, Israel, against external threats. The striking contrast between the donkey's supernatural sight and Balaam's repeated inability to perceive the angel highlights the crucial theme of **Spiritual Blindness versus Divine Revelation**. Balaam, a prophet by profession, is ironically blind to God's clear warning, while his humble beast perceives the divine reality. This narrative foreshadows the profound danger of pursuing one's own desires, particularly greed (as later emphasized in [2 Peter 2:15-16](/2_peter/2-15-16 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - Peter's Warning about Balaam") and [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Way of Balaam")), over God's explicit will. Furthermore, the escalating sequence of divine obstructions underscores **God's Patience and Persistent Warning**, as He provides multiple opportunities for Balaam to heed His instruction before finally enabling the donkey to speak, demonstrating His desire for repentance even in the face of stubborn resistance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ass (Hebrew, _ʼâthôwn'_):** This term specifically refers to a female donkey, commonly used for riding or carrying burdens. In this narrative, the _ʼâthôwn_ becomes an unlikely, yet divinely chosen, instrument for God's revelation. Her repeated actions—turning aside, pressing against the wall—are not mere animal instinct but divinely enabled responses to a reality invisible to her master. The choice of a humble, common animal to possess greater spiritual discernment than a renowned prophet highlights God's ability to work through the unexpected and to humble the proud, demonstrating His sovereignty over all creation.
* **Saw (Hebrew, _raʼâh'_):** This verb signifies not merely physical sight but often implies a deeper perception, understanding, or even a spiritual encounter. The donkey "saw" the angel, indicating a supernatural opening of its eyes to a divine reality. In stark contrast, Balaam "saw" nothing, despite being a prophet. This highlights the theme of spiritual blindness: Balaam's physical eyes were open, but his spiritual perception was obscured by his own desires and stubbornness, preventing him from discerning God's clear and escalating intervention.
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** This verb denotes a forceful striking or beating, often with injurious intent. Balaam's repeated "smoting" of the donkey (here, for the second time, and soon to be a third) underscores his frustration, anger, and profound inability to comprehend the animal's unusual behavior. It reveals his lack of patience and his immediate resort to violence rather than seeking to understand the cause of the donkey's actions. This aggressive response further emphasizes his spiritual dullness and self-centeredness, as he prioritizes his journey and potential gain over the welfare of his animal or the discernment of extraordinary circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD":** This clause re-emphasizes the donkey's unique and divinely granted perception. Unlike Balaam, the animal's eyes were supernaturally opened to behold the divine messenger. This "seeing" is the catalyst for all subsequent actions, establishing the supernatural reality of the obstruction and the donkey's role as God's unwitting agent. It sets up the central irony of the narrative: a beast sees what a prophet cannot, highlighting Balaam's spiritual insensitivity.
* **"she thrust herself unto the wall":** Faced with the "angel of the LORD" in a narrow, inescapable passage, the donkey's only recourse to avoid the divine figure was to press herself tightly against the stone wall. This action is not merely an animal's instinct but a divinely compelled maneuver, demonstrating the angel's inescapable presence and the donkey's desperate attempt to avoid it, even at her own discomfort and that of her rider. It signifies the increasingly restrictive nature of God's warning, leaving Balaam with fewer options.
* **"and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall":** This is the direct, painful consequence of the donkey's action and the angel's strategic placement. Balaam's foot, pinned between the donkey and the unyielding wall, suffers injury. This physical pain serves as a direct, tangible warning from God, designed to get Balaam's attention and force him to consider the extraordinary nature of the situation. It is a personal and painful intervention, yet Balaam still fails to grasp its divine origin, attributing it solely to the donkey's stubbornness.
* **"and he smote her again":** Balaam's immediate response to the pain and inconvenience is one of unthinking violence. This marks the second time he strikes the donkey, demonstrating his continued spiritual blindness and stubbornness. Despite the escalating and increasingly unusual behavior of his animal, Balaam's frustration overrides any potential discernment, cementing his image as one who resists divine intervention rather than submits to it. His repeated blows underscore his inability to learn or perceive God's hand at work.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:25 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Irony** is central to the passage, as Balaam, a renowned prophet whose profession involves perceiving divine will, is spiritually blind to the divine messenger standing directly before him, while his humble donkey possesses supernatural sight. This dramatic contrast underscores the theme of spiritual discernment and the danger of human stubbornness and greed. The repeated actions of the donkey and Balaam's escalating violence also serve as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the inevitable, direct confrontation between Balaam's rebellious will and God's sovereign plan to protect Israel. The angel's strategic placement in increasingly restrictive paths—first in an open field, then a narrow path, and finally an inescapable spot—is a powerful form of **Symbolism**, representing God's progressively intensified warnings and the tightening grip of His divine will around Balaam's disobedient journey. Furthermore, the donkey's actions, while divinely enabled, are described with a sense of deliberate choice and even distress, bordering on **Anthropomorphism**, preparing the reader for the ultimate anthropomorphic act of the donkey speaking in a later verse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:25 is a powerful testament to God's active and intimate involvement in human affairs, particularly His unwavering commitment to protect His covenant people, Israel. It highlights that God is not limited to conventional means but can use any instrument, even a seemingly insignificant animal, to achieve His purposes and convey His warnings. Balaam's profound spiritual blindness in the face of such clear divine intervention serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of greed, self-will, and a hardened heart, which can obscure one's perception of God's truth and lead to disastrous choices. The narrative underscores that God is patient, offering multiple opportunities for repentance and redirection, but also persistent in His pursuit of His sovereign will, even when it requires extraordinary measures to break through human stubbornness. This divine protection extends beyond physical threats to spiritual dangers, as Balaam's later counsel to Balak would lead Israel into idolatry and immorality, revealing the deeper spiritual battle at play and God's comprehensive care for His people.

* [2 Peter 2:15-16](/2_peter/2-15-16 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - Peter's Warning about Balaam's Error")
* [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 in Pergamum")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic scene in Numbers 22:25 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to critically examine our own spiritual discernment: are we, like Balaam, so intent on our own predetermined paths, personal desires, or worldly ambitions that we become blind to God's clear warnings or subtle interventions in our lives? God often speaks through unexpected circumstances, inconvenient obstacles, frustrating delays, or even the voices of those we might dismiss as insignificant. This verse reminds us that true wisdom and spiritual insight lie not solely in intellectual prowess, spiritual gifting, or even prophetic office, but fundamentally in a humble and open heart that is attuned to God's voice, regardless of the messenger or the method. When faced with repeated frustrations, unusual difficulties, or inexplicable setbacks, our first response should not be anger, blame, or stubborn persistence, but rather a prayerful inquiry: "Lord, is there something you are trying to show me? Is my path misaligned with Your will?" God's persistent patience with Balaam, despite his profound stubbornness, also speaks powerfully to His persistent love and unwavering desire for us to walk in His perfect will, even when we resist His gentle, or not-so-gentle, nudges.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually blind, prioritizing my own agenda or desires over God's clear guidance?**
* **How do I typically react to unexpected obstacles, inconveniences, or seemingly "bad luck"? Do I consider them potential divine interventions or merely annoying disruptions?**
* **What "unlikely messengers" or unusual circumstances might God be using in my life to communicate His will or warn me, and am I truly open to hearing them?**
* **How does Balaam's story encourage me to cultivate a more humble, discerning, and submissive spirit in my daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why did the angel appear only to the donkey first, and not to Balaam?**

Answer: The narrative deliberately emphasizes Balaam's spiritual blindness, which was deeply rooted in his greed and self-will (as later highlighted in [2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - Balaam's Love for Gain")). God's purpose was not merely to stop Balaam physically, but to expose his spiritual condition and profoundly humble him. By revealing the angel first to the donkey, God powerfully demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all creation and highlights the stinging irony that a humble beast possessed greater spiritual perception than a renowned prophet. This escalating series of events, culminating in the donkey's miraculous speech ([Numbers 22:28](/numbers/22-28 "Numbers 22:28 - The Donkey Speaks")), was meticulously designed to break through Balaam's stubbornness and force him to acknowledge the undeniable divine intervention, thereby preparing him to speak only God's words, not his own.

**Was Balaam truly a prophet of God, or merely a pagan diviner?**

Answer: The biblical text presents Balaam as a complex and ambiguous figure. He clearly possessed a genuine ability to hear from God, as evidenced by God's direct communication with him in [Numbers 22:9-12](/numbers/22-9 "Numbers 22:9-12 - God Speaks to Balaam") and his subsequent oracles that consistently bless Israel ([Numbers 23-24](/numbers/23-24 "Numbers 23-24 - Balaam's Oracles")). However, his heart was not fully devoted to God's will; he was undeniably motivated by the prospect of financial gain, as seen in his eagerness to go with Balak's envoys despite initial divine prohibition. Later New Testament passages strongly condemn his "error" and "way" ([2 Peter 2:15-16](/2_peter/2-15-16 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - Peter on Balaam's Error"); [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Jude on Balaam's Way")), and the "doctrine of Balaam" refers to leading God's people into idolatry and immorality for personal gain ([Revelation 2:14](/revelation/2-14 "Revelation 2:14 - The Doctrine of Balaam")). Thus, he was a prophet who possessed a divine gift but tragically corrupted it with a mercenary spirit and a divided heart.

**What is the significance of Balaam's foot being crushed?**

Answer: The crushing of Balaam's foot is both a symbolic and practical consequence of his spiritual blindness and stubbornness. Practically, it inflicts acute physical pain and inconvenience, serving as a direct, tangible warning from God designed to immediately get Balaam's attention and force him to stop. Symbolically, the foot is often associated with one's walk, path, or journey. Balaam's "way" was explicitly declared "perverse before me" by the angel ([Numbers 22:32](/numbers/22-32 "Numbers 22:32 - The Angel Explains")), and the crushing of his foot literally impedes his progress on that perverse path. It represents God's active, painful intervention to halt a journey that was directly contrary to His divine will, even if Balaam remained stubbornly unaware of the divine hand behind the obstruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Balaam and his donkey, particularly the divine intervention described in [Numbers 22:25](/numbers/22-25 "Numbers 22:25 - Balaam's Donkey Crushes His Foot"), finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several significant ways. The "angel of the LORD" who stands in Balaam's path is often understood by scholars as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God. This figure, who possesses inherent divine authority and presence, actively intervenes to protect God's covenant people, Israel, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate role as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")) and the ever-present Guardian of His church. Balaam's spiritual blindness, starkly contrasted with the donkey's supernatural sight, powerfully illustrates humanity's fallen condition and our desperate need for divine revelation and spiritual sight. Just as the donkey's eyes were opened to perceive the unseen divine reality, Christ came to open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually, enabling us to see God's truth, His kingdom, and the path to salvation ([John 9:39](/john/9-39 "John 9:39 - Jesus Comes for Judgment"); [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Furthermore, Balaam's stubborn pursuit of his own gain, despite God's repeated warnings, stands in stark contrast to Christ's perfect obedience, even to the point of sacrificial death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Christ is the ultimate "Way, the Truth, and the Life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")), who clears the path for His people, not by obstructing their journey with pain, but by making a new and living way through His atoning sacrifice, ensuring that no curse can stand against those who are in Him ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). He is the one who truly guides His people into their promised inheritance.

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

Job 5:13

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Job 5:15

But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

Isaiah 47:12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.