Numbers 22 33

Numbers 22:33 kjv

And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

Numbers 22:33 nkjv

The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."

Numbers 22:33 niv

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it."

Numbers 22:33 esv

The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live."

Numbers 22:33 nlt

Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey."

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 33 Meaning

Numbers 22:33 reveals the angel of the Lord's intervention to protect Balaam from impending death, which Balaam, despite his reputation as a seer, was too spiritually blind to perceive. The verse highlights God's patience and mercy, using the discerning donkey as an instrument to avert direct judgment on Balaam's stubborn pursuit against God's will. It signifies the imminence of divine judgment when God's warnings are ignored and emphasizes that physical sight does not guarantee spiritual insight.

Numbers 22 33 Context

Numbers 22 recounts Balak, king of Moab, hiring the famous prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, who were encamped in his territory. God initially tells Balaam not to go or curse Israel. However, when Balak sends more esteemed princes, Balaam, driven by a desire for wealth and prestige, presses God for permission, and God permits him to go, but strictly with the condition to only speak what God tells him. As Balaam travels with Balak's officials, an "angel of the Lord" repeatedly stands in his path with a drawn sword, invisible to Balaam but clearly seen by his donkey. The donkey swerves to avoid the angel, frustrating Balaam, who beats the animal each time. After the third beating, God opens the donkey's mouth to rebuke Balaam, after which Balaam's eyes are opened, and he sees the angel standing before him. Verse 33 is the angel's direct explanation to Balaam, justifying the donkey's behavior and revealing the immediate mortal danger Balaam was in due to his disobedience and stubbornness against God's clear will. Historically, divination and seeking curses were common practices among ancient Near Eastern peoples, and this narrative stands as a polemic demonstrating the true God's absolute sovereignty over all powers and human attempts to manipulate divine will.

Numbers 22 33 Word analysis

• "The donkey" (אָתוֹן, 'aton): Specifically a female donkey, which were valued for their docile nature. The choice of a lowly, typically stubborn animal, yet one that sees and speaks with understanding, deeply humbles Balaam, a renowned seer. Its greater spiritual perception highlights Balaam's severe spiritual blindness.
• "saw me" (רָאַתְנִי, ra'atni): Indicates physical perception, but in this context, it is also spiritual discernment. The donkey's eyes were "opened" to see the divine presence and the hidden danger, contrasting with Balaam's "closed" spiritual eyes.
• "and turned aside" (וַתֵּט, vattēt): The action implies deliberate deviation. The donkey's physical act of swerving was an act of obedience to a higher reality, saving its life and Balaam's.
• "from me" (מִפָּנָי, mipanai): Directly from the angel's presence, signifying the immediate threat the angel posed to Balaam.
• "these three times" (שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים, shalosh pe'amim): This repetition is significant in biblical narrative, often indicating completeness, finality, or intense warning. God provided three clear, escalating warnings through the donkey's actions, yet Balaam remained oblivious and stubborn until the divine intervention became overt.
• "If she had not turned aside from me" (אִם לוּלֵי נָטְתָה מִפָּנַי, im lulei nattetah mipenai): This conditional statement reveals the gravity of the situation and the immediate danger Balaam was in. It emphasizes the donkey's actions as a crucial divine intervention, not just an animal's obstinacy.
• "surely now I would have killed you" (כִּי עַתָּה הֲרַגְתִּיךָ, ki attah haragtika): A powerful declaration of imminent, certain judgment. The angel possessed the authority and intention to execute divine wrath. This shows God's direct opposition to Balaam's will and highlights the sanctity of God's command regarding Israel.
• "and let her live" (וְאוֹתָהּ הֶחֱיֵיתִי, v'otah hecheyeyti): A stark contrast. The donkey's life would have been spared due to its obedience and discernment, while Balaam, the prophet, would have died due to his stubbornness and spiritual blindness. It underscores that God values obedience and righteous perception, even from a humble creature.

• "If she had not turned aside from me, surely now I would have killed you and let her live": This complete thought encapsulates the immediate danger Balaam was in and God's sovereign control over life and death. It presents a divine "if-then" scenario, underscoring that God's grace, mediated by the donkey's perception, saved Balaam from his own folly. This demonstrates God's prior patience and indirect warnings before direct confrontation.

Numbers 22 33 Bonus section

The "Angel of the Lord" in this narrative is often understood by theologians to be a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—given the authority and actions attributed to him, including the power of life and death and demanding worship (as seen elsewhere, like in Joshua 5:13-15). This encounter radically shifts the narrative from Balaam seeking gain to God directly confronting him, setting the stage for Balaam's eventual prophecies of Israel's blessing, contrary to his initial intent. Balaam’s inability to see what his donkey saw signifies the spiritual insensitivity that comes from pursuing worldly desires over divine will, a theme that echoes throughout Scripture concerning false teachers and those who harden their hearts. This divine intervention, which was hidden until the last moment, emphasizes God's omnipotence and omnipresence, protecting His covenant people and bringing about His purposes even through disobedient instruments.

Numbers 22 33 Commentary

Numbers 22:33 serves as a profound moment of divine revelation and rebuke. Balaam, a revered prophet and diviner, finds himself completely outmaneuvered and nearly destroyed, not by a mighty warrior, but by his own beast of burden. This humbling experience exposes his deep spiritual blindness, prioritizing his greedy pursuits over clear divine instruction. The angel's words highlight God's mercy in using indirect means (the donkey) to warn Balaam repeatedly before resorting to direct judgment. God's patience (three warnings) allowed for potential repentance, yet Balaam's stubbornness left him facing certain death. The donkey, a symbol of humility, becomes a stark contrast to Balaam's pride and spiritual arrogance. The verse underscores that true spiritual sight comes from God, often revealed through unexpected instruments, and that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human will or manipulation. Obedience, even from an animal, is valued above a prophet's status or renown when accompanied by disobedience.