Numbers 22:28

And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

And the LORD {H3068} opened {H6605} the mouth {H6310} of the ass {H860}, and she said {H559} unto Balaam {H1109}, What have I done {H6213} unto thee, that thou hast smitten {H5221} me these three {H7969} times {H7272}?

But ADONAI enabled the donkey to speak, and it said to Bil'am, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”

And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Commentary

Numbers 22:28 KJV describes one of the most remarkable and unusual miracles in the Bible: God enabling a donkey to speak with a human voice. This pivotal moment occurs during Balaam's journey to curse the Israelites at the behest of Balak, king of Moab.

Context of Numbers 22:28

The prophet Balaam, known for his ability to bless or curse, was hired by King Balak to curse the nation of Israel as they approached Moab's borders. Despite God explicitly telling him not to go or curse Israel, Balaam eventually set out, driven by potential gain or ambition. As he rode, the angel of the LORD stood in the way to oppose him, though Balaam could not see the angel. His donkey, however, saw the divine messenger and repeatedly veered off the path to avoid it, leading Balaam to beat the animal three times in frustration. It is after this third beating that God intervenes directly.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's direct and miraculous involvement in human affairs. He can use any means, even an animal, to accomplish His will and communicate His message.
  • God's Sovereignty and Protection: The incident underscores God's absolute control over all creation and His unwavering commitment to protect His chosen people, Israel. He would not allow Balaam to curse them, no matter the prophet's intentions or Balak's desires.
  • Spiritual Blindness: A striking contrast is drawn between Balaam's spiritual blindness and the donkey's clear sight. Balaam, a spiritual leader, was oblivious to the divine presence right before him, while his animal perceived the reality of the unseen world. This highlights how easily humans can miss God's warnings or guidance when driven by their own desires or clouded by spiritual insensitivity.
  • A Warning and a Rebuke: The donkey's question, "What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" is both a plea and a divine rebuke. It forces Balaam to confront his actions and his inability to perceive the spiritual reality that was evident to his animal.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "opened the mouth" (Hebrew: patach et-pi) signifies a direct, supernatural act of God. It is not merely that the donkey made sounds, but that God endowed it with the faculty of human speech, making the miracle undeniable and profoundly impactful. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the event, showcasing God's power over natural laws.

Practical Application and Significance

Numbers 22:28 serves as a potent reminder for believers today:

  • God Can Speak in Unexpected Ways: We should remain open to God's voice, as He can communicate through unusual circumstances, people, or even seemingly mundane events. What might appear as an obstacle or annoyance could be God's way of redirecting or protecting us, much like the donkey's actions protected Balaam from the angel's sword (Numbers 22:33).
  • Beware of Spiritual Blindness: It is crucial to cultivate spiritual discernment and humility. Like Balaam, we can become so focused on our own agenda or desires that we fail to see God working or hear His warnings. This story is often cited in discussions of false prophets or those who pursue gain over divine truth (see 2 Peter 2:15-16 and Jude 1:11).
  • God's Protection is Absolute: We can rest in the assurance that God actively protects His people and His purposes, even using the most unlikely instruments to do so.

The talking donkey in Numbers 22:28 remains a powerful testament to God's omnipotence and His intricate involvement in the lives of His creation.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Peter 2:16 (8 votes)

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

  • Luke 1:37 (4 votes)

    For with God nothing shall be impossible.

  • Exodus 4:11 (3 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

  • 1 Corinthians 1:19 (2 votes)

    For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

  • Romans 8:22 (1 votes)

    For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.