Numbers 22:29 kjv
And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
Numbers 22:29 nkjv
And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!"
Numbers 22:29 niv
Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."
Numbers 22:29 esv
And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you."
Numbers 22:29 nlt
"You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!"
Numbers 22 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:1-5 | Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made... | Speaking animal used in divine narrative. |
| Exod 4:11 | The Lord said to him, "Who has made man’s mouth?... Is it not I, the Lord?" | God gives speech. |
| Luke 1:64 | Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak... | God supernaturally opens mouths. |
| Prov 12:10 | A righteous man regards the life of his animal... | Contrast to Balaam's cruel intent towards his donkey. |
| Prov 14:17 | A quick-tempered man acts foolishly... | Balaam's rash anger. |
| Prov 16:32 | He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty... | Balaam lacked self-control. |
| Eccl 7:9 | Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. | Balaam's foolish anger. |
| Jam 1:19-20 | But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. | Human anger, especially for a 'prophet', does not serve God's will. |
| Isa 6:10 | Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see... | Spiritual blindness; God can cause it or allow it. |
| Matt 13:13-15 | Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see... | Parallels Balaam's inability to see divine intervention. |
| John 9:39-41 | Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world... those who are blind might see, and that those who see might become blind." ... "You say, 'We see'; therefore your sin remains." | Self-professed 'seers' can be spiritually blind. |
| 2 Cor 4:3-4 | And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds... | Blinding of the mind by spiritual forces. |
| Gen 21:19 | Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water... | God's opening of eyes (physical/spiritual). |
| 2 Kgs 6:17 | Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." | Prayer for spiritual eyes to be opened. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise... | God uses the humble (donkey) to shame the 'wise' (Balaam). |
| 2 Pet 2:15-16 | having forsaken the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam... a mute donkey spoke with a voice of a man and restrained the madness of the prophet. | Direct reference to Balaam's "madness" and the donkey's role. |
| Jude 11 | Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. | Balaam's error linked to greed and rebellion. |
| Rev 2:14 | But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel... | Balaam's later, more destructive sin of advising Israel into idolatry. |
| Num 31:8 | They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain; Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. | Balaam's end, by the very instrument of his desire here. |
| Ps 32:9 | Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, Or they will not come near to you. | Balaam, in his stubbornness, was worse than an animal without understanding. |
| Zech 12:4 | In that day, declares the Lord, I will strike every horse with bewilderment and his rider with madness... | God's power over animals and humans, including mental states. |
Numbers 22 verses
Numbers 22 29 Meaning
Numbers chapter 22 verse 29 reveals Balaam's immediate, violent reaction to his donkey speaking. He, blinded by rage and unaware of the divine intervention unfolding, wishes he had a sword to kill the animal that, unbeknownst to him, was protecting his very life from the angel of the Lord. The verse starkly illustrates Balaam's spiritual insensitivity and profound spiritual blindness at that moment, prioritizing his insulted pride and convenience over understanding the extraordinary circumstances.
Numbers 22 29 Context
Numbers 22 describes Balak, king of Moab, hiring Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse the advancing Israelites. Balaam, though initially prevented by God from going, eventually gains permission, albeit with the instruction to speak only what God tells him. Despite God's allowance, His anger flares because Balaam is greedy and eager to curse Israel for personal gain, disregarding the spirit of God's prohibition. As Balaam rides, an angel of the Lord stands in his path, visible only to the donkey. The donkey repeatedly attempts to avoid the angel, frustrating Balaam who beats the animal three times. The verse in question, Numbers 22:29, occurs immediately after the third beating, as the donkey miraculously speaks to protest Balaam's violence. Balaam's retort here highlights his intense anger and spiritual blindness just moments before his own eyes are divinely opened to see the obstructing angel.
Numbers 22 29 Word analysis
- And Balaam said to the donkey:
- And Balaam: Refers to Bil‘am, a well-known diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates. His status contrasts sharply with the humble animal. His statement here immediately after the donkey speaks showcases his unbridled rage and self-focused worldview, rather than awe at a miraculous event.
- said to the donkey: Demonstrates Balaam's immediate response is to his animal, not to reflect on the astounding nature of the donkey speaking.
- "Because you have mocked me!
- Because you: Connects Balaam's rage directly to the donkey's actions, from his limited human perspective.
- mocked me! (Hebrew: hit‘allaltā bî): This verb suggests contempt, playing tricks on, or abusing someone. Balaam perceives the donkey's resistance and speech as an intentional affront to his authority and a source of public humiliation, fueling his intense anger and desire for revenge. His pride is deeply wounded. He doesn't recognize that the donkey's actions, including its miraculous speech, are divine intervention.
- I wish there were a sword in my hand,
- I wish there were a sword (Hebrew: ḥereb): The desire for an instrument of death highlights the depth of Balaam's rage. A ḥereb is typically a weapon for combat or execution. This expresses a powerful desire to exact ultimate punishment. This wish ironically foreshadows Balaam's own death "with the sword" (Num 31:8), a judgment for his wicked counsel against Israel.
- in my hand: Signifies a personal, direct, and immediate desire for violent retaliation. He wants the power to instantly eliminate the perceived problem. This reveals a dangerous impulse and self-reliance rather than patience or understanding.
- for then I would kill you."
- for then I would kill you (Hebrew: ’ehĕrog ‘āleka): "Kill" (harag) means to slay or destroy. This outright statement of intent emphasizes the culmination of Balaam's furious wrath. The target is the very creature that, in reality, has saved his life. It showcases the complete lack of understanding and disproportionate nature of his anger.
Numbers 22 29 Bonus section
- Irony of Roles: The scene in Num 22, culminating in verse 29, presents a powerful reversal of roles. The human 'seer' or 'prophet' (Balaam) is spiritually blind and cannot see the angel, while the animal (donkey) possesses prophetic insight and clarity, perceiving the divine messenger and responding appropriately. The donkey literally acts as the "seer" (Hebrew ro’eh or ḥozeh – terms for prophet), guiding Balaam, whose own spiritual vision is tragically obstructed by his sin and avarice.
- Divine Use of the Ordinary: God frequently chooses the weak, the lowly, or the unexpected to achieve His purposes and humble the proud, as highlighted in this verse. The choice of a humble donkey to rebuke a renowned prophet is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to work through any means.
- Affections Over Discernment: Balaam's desire to kill his donkey reveals how distorted human affections and priorities can become when governed by greed and pride rather than seeking God's will. He valued his ego and immediate journey over the life of his animal, let alone discerning God's greater plan.
Numbers 22 29 Commentary
Numbers 22:29 is a pivotal moment demonstrating profound spiritual blindness and raw human rage. Balaam, a prophet known for receiving divine messages, is so consumed by his earthly desires and offended pride that he completely misses a supernatural event—a mute donkey speaking human words. Instead of recognizing God's direct intervention, he interprets the donkey's protective actions and miraculous speech as a personal affront. His immediate desire is not wonder or inquiry, but rather vengeful violence, wanting a sword to kill the very animal that served as God's instrument to preserve his life. This encapsulates humanity's frequent inability to perceive divine warnings, preferring unchecked fury and self-interest over God's clear, if unconventional, guidance. The scene underscores the severe moral depravity of Balaam, setting the stage for the dramatic moment where God opens his eyes to the danger he was truly in, a blindness worse than that of a dumb animal. It warns against prioritizing personal gain and wounded pride over discerning and submitting to the will of the Almighty.