New International Version Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. New Living Translation So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. English Standard Version So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. Berean Standard Bible So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. Berean Literal Bible And Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. King James Bible And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. New King James Version So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. New American Standard Bible So Balaam arose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. NASB 1995 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. NASB 1977 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. Legacy Standard Bible So Balaam arose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. Amplified Bible So Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. Berean Annotated Bible So in the morning Balaam (not of the people) got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab (of his father). Christian Standard Bible When he got up in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the officials of Moab. Holman Christian Standard Bible When he got up in the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the officials of Moab. American Standard Version And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Contemporary English Version So Balaam got up the next morning and saddled his donkey, then left with the Moabite officials. English Revised Version And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Balaam got up in the morning, he saddled his donkey and left with the Moabite princes. Good News Translation So the next morning Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite leaders. International Standard Version The next morning, Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started to leave, accompanied by the Moabite officials. NET Bible So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. New Heart English Bible Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. Webster's Bible Translation And Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. World English Bible Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Balaam rises in the morning, and saddles his donkey, and goes with the princes of Moab, Berean Literal Bible And Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. Young's Literal Translation And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and goeth with the princes of Moab, Smith's Literal Translation And Balaam will rise up in the morning, and saddle his ass, and go with the leaders of Moab. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBalaam arose in the morning, and saddling his ass went with them. Catholic Public Domain Version Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddling his donkey, he set out with them. New American Bible So the next morning when Balaam arose, he saddled his donkey, and went off with the princes of Moab. New Revised Standard Version So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his ass and went with the princes of Balak. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Balaam arose at dawn and mounted on his donkey and he went on with the Princes of Moab. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Balak Summons Balaam…20That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.” 21So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. Cross References So in the morning Genesis 19:27 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Exodus 34:4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals. He rose early in the morning, and taking the two stone tablets in his hands, he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him. Job 1:5 And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. Balaam got up, Joshua 3:1 Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 Chronicles 29:20 Early the next morning King Hezekiah gathered the city officials and went up to the house of the LORD. 1 Samuel 17:20 So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry. saddled his donkey, Genesis 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. 1 Kings 13:13 So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it 2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” and went with the princes of Moab. Deuteronomy 23:4 For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Joshua 24:9 Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, Micah 6:5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” 2 Peter 2:15-16 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Nehemiah 13:2 because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). Treasury of Scripture And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Proverbs 1:15,16 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: … Jump to Previous Ass Chiefs Donkey Leaders Making Moab Morning Princes Ready Riseth Rose Saddled SaddlethJump to Next Ass Chiefs Donkey Leaders Making Moab Morning Princes Ready Riseth Rose Saddled SaddlethNumbers 22 1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused15. His second message obtains him 22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey 36. Balak entertains him So in the morning Balaam began the day resolved to follow the Moabite delegation. Gen 19:27 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned… Balaam got up, Though God had permitted him to go, Balaam’s willingness to accompany men seeking harm against Israel revealed the divided motives that would soon bring God’s judgment. Jos 3:1 Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim… saddled his donkey, He personally prepared for the journey, setting out without delay toward Moab. The donkey would soon become the means by which God restrained him and exposed his spiritual blindness. Gen 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning,… and went with the princes of Moab. Balaam joined the leaders sent by Balak, king of Moab, who hoped to use him to curse Israel as the nation camped near their territory. Deu 23:4 For they did not meet you with food and water… Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is approached by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Balaam is known for his interactions with God and his eventual blessing of Israel instead of cursing them. 2. The Princes of Moab Representatives sent by Balak, the king of Moab, to persuade Balaam to curse the Israelites. They symbolize the worldly pressures and temptations that can lead one away from God's will. 3. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Moabites. Moab is often depicted in the Bible as an adversary of Israel, representing opposition to God's people. 4. The Donkey Balaam's donkey plays a significant role in the subsequent account, where it becomes an instrument of God's intervention, highlighting God's control over all creation. 5. Balak The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to use Balaam's prophetic abilities to curse them. Balak represents the fear and opposition that the world often has towards God's plans and people. Teaching Points Obedience to God Over Worldly PressureBalaam's initial decision to go with the princes of Moab, despite God's clear instructions, serves as a reminder to prioritize obedience to God over succumbing to worldly pressures and temptations. The Danger of Compromise Balaam's journey with the Moabite princes illustrates the danger of compromising one's faith and values for personal gain or acceptance. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions. God's Sovereignty and Intervention The account that follows Balaam's journey highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene in unexpected ways. Trusting in God's plan, even when it seems contrary to human logic, is essential. The Power of Influence Balaam's account serves as a cautionary tale about the power of influence. As believers, we must be mindful of how our actions and decisions can impact others, either leading them towards or away from God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 22:21?2. Why did Balaam "saddle his donkey" despite God's earlier warning in Numbers 22:12? 3. How can we discern God's will when facing decisions like Balaam in Numbers 22:21? 4. What lessons from Balaam's actions apply to resisting temptation in our lives today? 5. How does Balaam's journey in Numbers 22:21 relate to obedience in Proverbs 3:5-6? 6. What steps can we take to align our actions with God's will daily? 7. Why did God allow Balaam to go with Balak's men in Numbers 22:21? 8. What does Balaam's journey in Numbers 22:21 reveal about obedience to God? 9. How does Numbers 22:21 challenge the concept of free will versus divine intervention? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 22? Numbers 22:21 captures more than a travel log. Balaam rises early, acts decisively, equips himself, and joins Moab’s princes—all outwardly ordinary choices that expose an inwardly divided heart. Scripture’s cross-references remind us that eagerness apart from obedience, preparation divorced from faith, and companionship with the ungodly set the stage for divine confrontation. The verse therefore warns believers to examine motives, align actions with God’s revealed will, and choose associations that foster faithfulness. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Balaamבִּלְעָם֙ (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet got up וַיָּ֤קָם (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand in the morning, בַּבֹּ֔קֶר (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning saddled וַֽיַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ (way·ya·ḥă·ḇōš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule his donkey, אֲתֹנ֑וֹ (’ă·ṯō·nōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 860: A female donkey and went וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the princes שָׂרֵ֥י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince of Moab. מוֹאָֽב׃ (mō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled Additonal Resources Numbers 22:21 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 22:21 Bible Gateway Numbers 22:21 Bible.com Numbers 22:21 NIV |
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