Numbers 22:30

KJV

And the ass said unto Balaam, [Am] not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since [I was] thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the ass {H860} said {H559} unto Balaam {H1109}, Am not I thine ass {H860}, upon which thou hast ridden {H7392} ever since I was thine unto this day {H3117}? was I ever {H5532} wont {H5532} to do so {H6213} unto thee? And he said {H559}, Nay.

Complete Jewish Bible

The donkey said to Bil'am, "I'm your donkey, right? You've ridden me all your life, right? Have I ever treated you like this before?""No," he admitted.

Berean Standard Bible

But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied.

American Standard Version

And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:30 captures the astonishing moment in the narrative of Balaam where his donkey, miraculously endowed with speech, directly confronts its master. The donkey's poignant question, appealing to its consistent loyalty and unprecedented behavior, starkly exposes Balaam's profound spiritual blindness to the divine intervention that had prompted its actions, underscoring God's sovereign power to protect His people and communicate His will through the most unexpected channels.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of Numbers 22:30 is the dramatic confrontation between Balaam and his donkey, immediately following God's miraculous opening of the animal's mouth in [Numbers 22:28](/numbers/22-28 "Numbers 22:28 - The Lord Opens the Donkey's Mouth"). Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is on his way to curse Israel at the behest of Balak, King of Moab. Unbeknownst to Balaam, the [Angel of the Lord](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - The Angel of the Lord Opposes Balaam") stands in his path, visible only to the donkey. The donkey's repeated attempts to avoid the divine presence lead to three severe beatings from Balaam. After the third beating and Balaam's frustrated outburst, the donkey speaks, initiating a dialogue that culminates in this verse, where it defends its unprecedented behavior by appealing to its long history of faithful service. This exchange sets the stage for Balaam's eyes to be opened to the angelic presence in [Numbers 22:31](/numbers/22-31 "Numbers 22:31 - Balaam's Eyes Opened").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, figures like Balaam, who possessed prophetic or divinatory abilities, were recognized and sought after by kings and nations for their perceived power to influence outcomes through blessings or curses. Donkeys were ubiquitous and essential beasts of burden and transport, making the idea of one speaking utterly extraordinary and indicative of divine intervention. The Moabites, led by King Balak, were deeply fearful of the numerous and powerful Israelites encamped on their borders, having witnessed their victories over the Amorites (cf. [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Victories")). This fear drove Balak to seek supernatural means to counter the Israelite threat, highlighting the geopolitical tensions of the time. The narrative also underscores God's sovereignty, extending beyond Israel to engage with and even use non-Israelite figures for His purposes, as seen in other instances like [Melchizedek](/genesis/14-18 "Genesis 14:18 - Melchizedek, King of Salem") or [Cyrus](/isaiah/45-1 "Isaiah 45:1 - Cyrus, God's Anointed").
* **Key Themes:** The story of Balaam and his talking donkey contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Numbers and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His willingness to intervene supernaturally to accomplish His will, even using an animal to speak. This episode powerfully illustrates the stark contrast between **Spiritual Blindness and Divine Revelation**, as Balaam, a prophet, remains oblivious to the divine presence that his humble animal clearly perceives. This serves as a potent warning against spiritual arrogance or preoccupation that can obscure God's truth, a theme echoed in [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Parable of the Sower and Spiritual Blindness"). Ultimately, the entire narrative reinforces the theme of **God's Unwavering Protection of His Covenant People**, Israel. Despite Balak's attempts to curse them, God ensures that only blessings can issue from Balaam's mouth, fulfilling His promises to Abraham (cf. [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - How Shall I Curse Whom God Has Not Cursed?")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ass (Hebrew, _'athon'_):** This term specifically refers to a female donkey, a common and valuable domestic animal in ancient Israel and the Near East, primarily used for riding and carrying burdens. The choice of a female donkey, often perceived as more docile and less prone to sudden actions than a male, further highlights the extraordinary nature of its behavior and subsequent speech. Its ordinary nature makes its supernatural utterance all the more impactful, emphasizing that God can use the most humble and unexpected instruments to achieve His divine purposes.
* **Wont (Old English, _wunian'_):** In the King James Version, "wont" means "accustomed" or "in the habit of." The donkey's rhetorical question, "was I ever wont to do so unto thee?", is a powerful appeal to its consistent and reliable character throughout its long service to Balaam. It implies, "Have I ever behaved disobediently, erratically, or strangely before? My current actions are entirely unprecedented, indicating that there must be an extraordinary reason for them." This highlights the donkey's faithful nature and makes its supernatural speech, and Balaam's subsequent failure to immediately grasp the situation, even more striking.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the ass said unto Balaam,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the supernatural nature of the event, reiterating the miracle first described in [Numbers 22:28](/numbers/22-28 "Numbers 22:28 - The Lord Opens the Donkey's Mouth"). The simple, declarative statement underscores the directness of the communication and the astonishing reality of an animal speaking human language, a direct act of divine intervention.
* **"[Am] not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since [I was] thine unto this day?"**: The donkey poses a rhetorical question, appealing to Balaam's own knowledge of their shared history. It emphasizes its long-standing loyalty, ownership, and consistent service ("thine ass," "ever since I was thine"). This question is designed to prompt Balaam to acknowledge their established relationship and the donkey's reliable character, setting up the logical premise for its subsequent challenge.
* **"was I ever wont to do so unto thee?"**: This is the crux of the donkey's defense. Building on the previous question, it directly challenges Balaam's perception of its recent actions. By asking if it was "ever accustomed" (wont) to behave in such a way (i.e., turning aside, pressing against the wall, falling down), the donkey forces Balaam to confront the unprecedented nature of its behavior. This question implicitly points to an external, extraordinary cause for its actions, which Balaam, in his spiritual blindness, has failed to perceive.
* **"And he said, Nay."**: Balaam's one-word response is profoundly significant. His admission ("Nay" or "No") confirms the donkey's premise: its behavior was indeed out of character. This simple acknowledgment shatters Balaam's anger-fueled irrationality and opens the door for him to consider the true, supernatural reason for the donkey's actions, paving the way for his eyes to be opened to the Angel of the Lord in the subsequent verse.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:30 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to an animal, specifically the donkey's ability to speak human language and engage in rational dialogue. This device serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of God's intervention, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation. Closely related is **Irony**, as the "wise" prophet Balaam is spiritually blind to the divine messenger, while his "unintelligent" beast of burden clearly perceives and responds to the Angel of the Lord. The donkey's rhetorical questions, "[Am] not I thine ass... was I ever wont to do so unto thee?", are a powerful form of **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit new information but to compel Balaam to acknowledge a truth he has overlooked – the donkey's consistent loyalty and the unprecedented nature of its actions. This use of **Dialogue** between man and beast further emphasizes the absurdity of Balaam's blindness and the profound depth of God's communication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:30 profoundly underscores the theme of divine communication and intervention. God is not limited by conventional means or human expectations; He can speak through any instrument, even a humble animal, to accomplish His purposes and reveal His will. This event serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to protect His people, demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human or demonic machinations. It also highlights the dangerous reality of spiritual blindness, where one can be so consumed by personal agenda, anger, or worldly pursuits that they fail to perceive God's clear warnings or presence, even when it is strikingly evident to others, or even to a beast. The donkey's insight stands in stark contrast to Balaam's dullness, serving as a timeless warning against spiritual insensitivity.

* [2 Peter 2:16](/2_peter/2-16 "2 Peter 2:16 - The Donkey Rebukes the Prophet")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He Who Digs a Pit Will Fall Into It")
* [Psalm 32:9](/psalm/32-9 "Psalm 32:9 - Be Not Like the Horse or Mule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The astonishing account of Balaam and his talking donkey serves as a profound spiritual mirror for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and attentiveness, recognizing that God's voice can emerge from the most unexpected sources or circumstances. Are we, like Balaam, so fixed on our own agendas, desires, or even a perceived "spiritual mission" that we become deaf to God's clear warnings or redirection, even when they manifest in unusual ways? This narrative compels us to examine our own hearts for areas of spiritual blindness—prejudices, unconfessed sin, or stubbornness—that might prevent us from discerning God's hand at work or hearing His truth. It reminds us that God's protective love for His people is fierce and unwavering, and He will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure His purposes prevail, even if it means using an animal to rebuke a prophet. Our response should be one of humble submission and a readiness to repent and reorient our path when God, in His mercy, reveals our errors.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be spiritually blind, missing God's warnings or directions because you are focused on your own agenda?**
* **How open are you to God speaking to you through unconventional or unexpected channels, even those you might initially dismiss?**
* **What does Balaam's immediate acknowledgment ("Nay") after the donkey's question teach us about the importance of honest self-reflection and admitting when we are wrong?**

### FAQ
**Why did God use a donkey to speak to Balaam?**

Answer: God chose to use a donkey to speak to Balaam primarily to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over all creation and His ability to communicate His will through any means necessary. This miraculous event served as an undeniable, shocking sign to Balaam, designed to break through his spiritual blindness and stubbornness. It highlighted the profound irony that a prophet who claimed to hear from God was unable to perceive the [Angel of the Lord](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22 - The Angel of the Lord Opposes Balaam") standing directly in his path, while his humble beast of burden could. The donkey's rebuke was a clear, unambiguous warning, emphasizing God's displeasure with Balaam's intent to curse Israel (cf. [Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God's Warning to Balaam")). It underscored that God's protection of His people is so steadfast that He would even empower an animal to speak to prevent harm from coming to them.

**What does "wont" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In Numbers 22:30, the King James Version uses the archaic word "wont," which means "accustomed" or "in the habit of." When the donkey asks, "was I ever wont to do so unto thee?", it is essentially asking, "Have I ever behaved in this disobedient or unusual manner before?" This rhetorical question serves to highlight the unprecedented nature of its actions. The donkey is appealing to its long history of faithful and predictable service to Balaam, thereby emphasizing that its current behavior (turning aside, pressing against the wall) must be due to an extraordinary, external cause—a cause that Balaam, in his spiritual dullness, had failed to recognize. Balaam's immediate response of "Nay" confirms the donkey's consistent loyalty, making the miracle even more impactful and revealing Balaam's irrational anger.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous intervention of the talking donkey in Numbers 22:30, where God uses an unexpected and humble instrument to speak truth and avert disaster, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's Word in Jesus Christ. While God spoke through prophets and even animals in the Old Testament, in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son (cf. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken By His Son")). Jesus is the living Word, the ultimate and perfect communication of God's will and character, who comes not merely to rebuke but to redeem. Just as the donkey saw the unseen Angel of the Lord, Christ came to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, revealing the Father and the true path to life (cf. [John 9:39-41](/john/9-39 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man and Addresses Spiritual Blindness")). Balaam's journey was one of potential curse and self-enrichment, but Christ's journey led to the cross, where He became a curse for us to bring blessing (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us From the Curse")). He is the true protector of His people, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (cf. [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The donkey's faithful service, though limited, points to Christ's perfect obedience and His role as the obedient servant who perfectly fulfills the Father's will, ensuring that no curse can stand against those whom God has blessed in Him (cf. [Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31-39 - God Is For Us")).

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

2 Peter 2:16

But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:28

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: