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.
Numbers 22:25 nkjv
And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again.
Numbers 22:25 niv
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.
Numbers 22:25 esv
And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again.
Numbers 22:25 nlt
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again.
Numbers 22 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Blindness & Hardness of Heart | ||
| 2 Pet 2:16 | ...the speechless donkey spoke with a human voice... restraining the prophet’s madness. | Donkey's rebuke highlights Balaam's foolishness. |
| Isa 6:9-10 | ...Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving. | Balaam's inability to see despite seeing the effect. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | ...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him... claiming to be wise, they became fools. | Balaam's distorted perception of divine power. |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers... | Satan's blinding power prevents seeing truth. |
| Eph 4:18 | They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of... hardening of their hearts. | Spiritual state of Balaam's heart. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. | Balaam's arrogant self-assurance. |
| Jer 5:21 | Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. | Critiques lack of spiritual discernment. |
| Deut 29:4 | To this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands... | God allows blindness for a purpose. |
| Divine Intervention & God's Sovereignty | ||
| Num 22:32-33 | The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times?... if she had not turned away from Me, I would have killed you...” | Angel's explicit reason for stopping Balaam. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He pleases. | God's control over human will and action. |
| Jonah 1:17 | The LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah... | God uses creation for His purposes. |
| Exod 4:11 | The LORD said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths?... Is it not I, the LORD?" | God's power over human senses and communication. |
| Ps 33:10-11 | The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations... The plans of the LORD stand firm forever. | God frustrates those who oppose His will. |
| Phil 2:13 | ...it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose. | God's active hand in events. |
| Ps 104:21 | The lions roar for their prey...seeking their food from God. | Even animals act according to divine will. |
| God Using the Humble/Unexpected Means | ||
| 1 Sam 10:11 | "What? Is Saul also among the prophets?" | Unexpected source of prophecy. |
| Matt 21:16 | "From the lips of children and infants you have called forth praise." | God uses the humble to silence opposition. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise... | God's method of shaming the proud and wise. |
| Ps 8:2 | Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies... | God empowering the weak. |
| Joel 2:28 | ...I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy... | Broadening the scope of prophetic activity. |
| Consequences of Stubbornness/Disobedience | ||
| Heb 3:17-19 | To whom did God swear that they would never enter His rest...? Those who disobeyed. | Connection between disobedience and blocked entry. |
| Rom 2:5 | ...because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself... | Warnings against a hardened heart. |
| Prov 26:3 | A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools. | Balaam as a "fool" receiving deserved "punishment." |
Numbers 22 verses
Numbers 22 25 Meaning
Numbers 22:25 describes the second instance of the donkey's supernatural awareness of the Angel of the LORD, forcing it to press against a wall to avoid the divine figure, thereby crushing Balaam's foot. In response to this physical inconvenience, Balaam, blinded by his stubborn will and greed, beats the animal for a second time, failing to grasp the divine intervention unfolding before him. This event highlights Balaam's spiritual blindness and cruelty while showcasing God's sovereign control even over a seemingly ordinary animal to impede an disobedient prophet.
Numbers 22 25 Context
Numbers Chapter 22 begins the narrative of Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner-prophet, whom Balak, the king of Moab, seeks to hire to curse the Israelites. The Israelites are encamped in the plains of Moab, inspiring fear in Balak due to their immense numbers and recent victories. Balaam, though consulted by God, ultimately yields to the temptation of Balak's monetary offer, intending to go and curse Israel against God's direct command not to. This specific verse, Numbers 22:25, is part of the unfolding drama where the Angel of the LORD intercepts Balaam on his journey. God's anger at Balaam's intention to go leads to the angel blocking the path. The donkey sees the invisible angel but Balaam does not, leading to a series of escalating confrontations where the donkey reacts to the angel, and Balaam, misunderstanding the animal's behavior, violently beats it. This scene emphasizes God's active involvement in the unfolding events and sets the stage for the miraculous opening of the donkey's mouth.
Word Analysis
- When the donkey (אָתוֹן - 'aton): The term refers to a female donkey, an animal common for transport in the ancient Near East. The female donkey's actions highlight divine reversal, as an animal considered lesser and often obstinate (in a typical sense) exhibits spiritual insight far superior to a celebrated prophet, thus becoming a mouthpiece and a vision-giver for God. This emphasizes that God can work through any means, even the most unexpected or humble, to accomplish His will.
- saw (רָאָה - ra'ah): This verb denotes physical sight, but in this context, it takes on spiritual significance. The donkey "saw" the invisible spiritual being, implying a supernatural discernment that Balaam, the supposed man of God, lacked. This stark contrast immediately introduces the theme of spiritual blindness.
- the angel of the LORD (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה - mal'akh YHWH): This specific designation often signifies a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ or a direct, powerful manifestation of God Himself. Here, the Angel carries a drawn sword (verse 23), indicating a divine warrior-judge intent on preventing Balaam's progress, even threatening his life. The donkey’s recognition of this formidable divine presence underscores its spiritual perception.
- she pressed herself against the wall (וַתִּלָּחֵץ אֶל הַקִּיר - va'tillakhetz el ha'kir): This describes the donkey's desperate attempt to avoid the angel in a narrow passage, showing extreme fear and distress. The wall (קִיר - kir) restricts movement, forcing the donkey into an even tighter space, symbolizing the narrow confines of God's will and the limited options available to one resisting Him.
- and crushed (וַתִּלְחַץ - va'tilkhatz): This verb means to press, squeeze, or crush, stemming from the same root as "pressed herself." The action emphasizes the physical pain Balaam experienced. This self-inflicted injury, an indirect result of his blindness and the donkey's panic, serves as a physical warning from God, though Balaam still fails to recognize its divine origin.
- Balaam’s foot: A specific, painful injury to Balaam’s means of transport. It's ironic that his very method of traveling toward a forbidden act is impeded, and he is physically harmed as a direct consequence of his inability to discern the divine presence blocking his path.
- against it: The wall; reiterating the confined, inescapable nature of the situation and the physical constraint.
- So he beat (וַיַּךְ - va'yak): Balaam's immediate, violent reaction. This demonstrates his frustration, cruelty, and, most significantly, his spiritual unresponsiveness. He resorts to brute force rather than pausing to consider the unusual behavior of his otherwise reliable animal.
- her again (אֹתָהּ עוֹד - 'otah 'od): This word "again" (עוֹד - 'od) is crucial, emphasizing the repeated nature of Balaam's abusive action. This is the second beating in the narrative, following the first in verse 23. Each beating signifies Balaam's escalating obstinacy and God's escalating intervention to try and get Balaam's attention.
Numbers 22 25 Commentary
Numbers 22:25 paints a vivid picture of divine intervention confronting human obstinacy. Balaam's inability to see the Angel of the LORD, in contrast to his donkey's spiritual perception, serves as a powerful testament to his spiritual blindness and greed-driven motivations. The repeated beating of the animal underscores his irrational anger and cruel heart, unwilling to acknowledge anything that impedes his path to promised riches. God orchestrates circumstances—even physical injury—to redirect Balaam, highlighting divine sovereignty and the ultimate futility of defying God's will. This scene sets the stage for the climactic divine revelation through the donkey itself, exposing the "prophet's madness" and God's absolute control over every created thing, even using the lowest to confound the wise.
Bonus SectionThe sequence of the donkey's evasions and Balaam's beatings is significant:
- First Instance (22:23): The angel appears in an open field, the donkey turns aside. Balaam beats her. (Gentle warning).
- Second Instance (22:24-25): The angel appears in a narrow lane between vineyards, the donkey presses against the wall. Balaam beats her again. (Escalating pressure, direct physical impact on Balaam).
- Third Instance (22:26-27): The angel appears in an even narrower place, with no room to turn. The donkey lies down under Balaam. Balaam beats her severely, for the third time. (No escape, complete refusal to move, maximal frustration for Balaam, leading to the climax).This progressive escalation demonstrates God's patient yet firm method of dealing with hardened hearts, increasing the intensity of the divine warnings until His message is unequivocally received. Balaam's lack of spiritual discernment despite repeated physical and visual cues speaks to the profound spiritual decay caused by his desire for wealth and prestige. This story uniquely establishes that true revelation is God's prerogative and can transcend human wisdom or expectations.