Numbers 22 34

Numbers 22:34 kjv

And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Numbers 22:34 nkjv

And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back."

Numbers 22:34 niv

Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."

Numbers 22:34 esv

Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

Numbers 22:34 nlt

Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I didn't realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going."

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 34 Meaning

Numbers 22:34 records Balaam's response to the Angel of the LORD after his donkey is granted speech and the angel reveals his presence. Balaam confesses that he "sinned" because he "did not know" the Angel of the LORD stood to oppose him on his path. He then conditionally offers to turn back if his journey "displeases" the angel.

Numbers 22 34 Context

Balaam's interaction with the Angel of the LORD takes place within a larger narrative (Numbers 22-24) describing Balak, the king of Moab, attempting to curse the Israelites out of fear. Balak employs Balaam, a renowned diviner or prophet from Mesopotamia, for this purpose. Although God initially prohibits Balaam from going, He later grants permission but strictly limits Balaam's speech to only what God allows. Despite this, Balaam proceeds with eagerness, driven by covetous desires for the rewards offered by Balak. It is during this journey that the Angel of the LORD blocks Balaam's path, invisible to Balaam himself but apparent to his donkey, leading to the donkey's miraculous speech and the Angel's confrontation, culminating in Balaam's confession in verse 34. This incident serves as a crucial display of God's sovereign protection over Israel and His ultimate control over even those who seek to oppose His plans, while exposing the nature of Balaam's compromised "prophecy."

Numbers 22 34 Word analysis

• And Balaam said: Balaam (בִּלְעָם, Bil'am) means "devourer" or "one who destroys people." This highlights the ironic and destructive nature of his character. His immediate speech, va'yomer (וַיֹּאמֶר), a consecutive imperfect, signifies a direct response to the angelic revelation.
• to the angel of the LORD: mal'akh YHWH (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה). Mal'akh (מַלְאַךְ) means "messenger" or "angel." YHWH (יהוה) is the sacred name of God. This term frequently refers to a manifestation of God Himself, a theophany, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, demonstrating divine authority and presence (e.g., in Gen 16:7-13, Exod 3:2-6, Judg 6:11-23). His standing was a divine intervention.
• 'I have sinned': Khata'ti (חָטָאתִי) comes from khata' (חָטָא), meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to sin." While a confession, Balaam's subsequent actions and God's anger indicate it's not born of true repentance (like Saul's in 1 Sam 15:24) but rather a recognition of having provoked danger and fear of immediate judgment. It's an acknowledgement of a factual offense, perhaps inadvertently.
• for I did not know: Lo yada'ti (לֹא יָדַעְתִּי). Yada' (יָדַע) means "to know" or "to perceive." Balaam claims ignorance of the angel's obstruction, revealing his spiritual blindness. He was physically present and actively opposing God's will but was unaware of the spiritual reality hindering him. This highlights the irony: a diviner renowned for spiritual insight failed to perceive the divine messenger standing right before him, whereas his animal did.
• that you stood in the way against me: nitzav likra'ti ba'derekh (נִצָּב לִקְרָאתִי בַּדָּרֶךְ).
  • Nitzav (נִצָּב) is a participle from natsav (נָצַב), meaning "to stand" or "to take one's stand," implying a purposeful, confrontational position.
  • Likra'ti (לִקְרָאתִי) means "against me" or "to meet me in opposition."
  • Ba'derekh (בַּדָּרֶךְ) means "in the way" or "on the path." This emphasizes the direct obstruction and Balaam's errant journey. The angel literally stood as an adversary to block his destructive intent.
• Now therefore, if it displeases you: Ve'atah im ra b'eineykha (וְעַתָּה אִם־רַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ).
  • Im ra b'eineykha (אִם־רַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ) literally means "if evil in your eyes" or "if it is bad in your sight." This is a polite, conditional phrasing indicating an attempt to negotiate or test the limits of God's disapproval. It's not an unconditional surrender to God's will but a cautious probe to understand the acceptable boundaries for continuing his venture. It subtly suggests a continued focus on his own desire, only stopping if it's too much trouble for God.
• I will return: Ashuva (אָשׁוּבָה) from shuv (שׁוּב), meaning "to turn back," "to repent," or "to return." This cohortative form expresses intention or resolve. On the surface, it seems like an offer of repentance. However, Balaam's "repentance" is driven by immediate danger and lacks a fundamental change of heart, as shown by his continuing to pursue Balak's reward and later counseling Balak to ensnare Israel in idolatry (Num 31:16, Rev 2:14). It is a strategic offer to avoid judgment, not a surrender to divine purpose.

Numbers 22 34 Bonus section

• The donkey, being created with basic instincts and lacking rational thought, perceives the divine presence more accurately than the acclaimed prophet, demonstrating that spiritual discernment is not limited to humans and can highlight human pride and spiritual dullness.
• The appearance of the Angel of the LORD in this narrative serves as a reminder of divine intervention and God's direct, personal involvement in the affairs of humanity and the protection of His chosen people. It demonstrates that God's justice is immediate when required.
• Balaam's episode is frequently cited in the New Testament (2 Pet 2:15, Jude 11, Rev 2:14) as a stark warning against covetousness, false teaching, and leading believers into compromise with the world for personal gain, reinforcing the insincerity of his "repentance" here.

Numbers 22 34 Commentary

Balaam's "confession" in Numbers 22:34 reveals a pivotal moment, yet one laden with spiritual irony and superficiality. His declaration "I have sinned" is triggered by external threat (the exposed sword of the Angel) and intellectual realization ("I did not know") rather than an internal transformation of the heart or remorse for covetousness. The "angel of the LORD" is God's personal manifestation directly intervening to block Balaam's progression towards a forbidden act. Balaam, a famed seer, demonstrates profound spiritual blindness, unable to discern God's active opposition until an animal is given speech to confront him.

His offer to "return" is notably conditional ("if it displeases you"). This conditional clause ("if it displeases you") is crucial; it reflects a spirit still calculating risk and personal gain, not one humbly submitting to God's absolute will. Balaam is not truly repentant for wanting to curse Israel or for his greed; rather, he fears the immediate, deadly consequences of directly defying the Angel. This highlights a worldly sorrow concerned with avoiding punishment, as opposed to a godly sorrow that grieves over sin itself and leads to genuine change. This encounter underscores that God's plan cannot be thwarted, and even those with gifts, if unrighteous in heart, will ultimately serve His purposes, albeit often unwillingly or for their own downfall. Balaam ultimately continues on his self-serving path, leading to disastrous consequences for Israel through his wicked counsel.