Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me.

◄ Numbers 22:32 ►

New International Version
The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.

New Living Translation
“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the LORD demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.

English Standard Version
And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.

Berean Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me.

King James Bible
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

New King James Version
And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.

New American Standard Bible
Then the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was reckless and contrary to me.

NASB 1995
The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.

NASB 1977
And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the angel of Yahweh said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary because your way was contrary to me.

Amplified Bible
The Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your behavior was obstinate and contrary to Me.

Christian Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you, because I consider what you are doing to be evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you, because what you are doing is evil in My sight.

American Standard Version
And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me:

Contemporary English Version
The angel said, "You had no right to treat your donkey like that! I was the one who blocked your way, because I don't think you should go to Moab.

English Revised Version
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Messenger of the LORD asked him, "Why have you hit your donkey three times like this? I've come here to stop you because the trip you're taking is evil.

Good News Translation
The angel demanded, "Why have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey.

International Standard Version
Then the angel of the LORD asked him, "Why did you beat your donkey in the space of only three footsteps? I've come to oppose you, because I say that what you're doing is perverted.

Majority Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD asked him, ?Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me.

NET Bible
The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing is perverse before me.

New Heart English Bible
The angel of God said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I have come forth as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me:

Webster's Bible Translation
And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why hast thou smitten thy ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

World English Bible
Yahweh’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the Messenger of YHWH says to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out for an adversary, for [your] way has been perverse before Me,

Young's Literal Translation
and the messenger of Jehovah saith unto him, 'Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? lo, I -- I have come out for an adversary, for thy way hath been perverse before me,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah will say to him, For what didst thou strike thine ass this three beats? behold, I came forth for an adversary, for the way is perverse before me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the angel said to him: Why beatest thou thy ass these three times? I am come to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse, and contrary to me:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Angel said to him: “Why did you beat your donkey three times? I have come to be an adversary to you, because your way is perverse and contrary to me.

New American Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to him: “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come as an adversary because this rash journey of yours is against my will.

New Revised Standard Version
The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why have you struck your she-ass these three times? Behold, I went out to be an adversary against you, because you have directed your course contrary to me;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Angel of LORD JEHOVAH said to him, “Why have you struck your she donkey now three times? Behold I have come out to be to you an adversary, because you have directed the way contrary to me.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the angel of the LORD said unto him: 'Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is contrary unto me;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the angel of God said to him, Why hast thou smitten thine ass this third time? and, behold, I came out to withstand thee, for thy way was not seemly before me; and when the ass saw me, she turned away from me this third time.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Angel and Balaam's Donkey
…31Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown. 32The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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 headlong 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.

Deuteronomy 23:4-5
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. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
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, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

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.’”

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).

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Corinthians 10:10-11
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. / Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Psalm 106:23-26
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them. / They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. / They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD. ...

Hebrews 12:6
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

Acts 13:10
and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Treasury of Scripture

And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why have you smitten your ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand you, because your way is perverse before me:

wherefore

Numbers 22:28
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Deuteronomy 25:4
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

Psalm 36:6
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

withstand thee.

Numbers 22:22
And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

thy ways

Deuteronomy 23:4
Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Micah 6:5
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

before me

Numbers 22:20,22,35
And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do…

Exodus 3:2-6
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed…

Proverbs 14:2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

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Numbers 22

1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. 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

Berean Study Bible

The angel of the LORD
This phrase refers to a divine messenger, often seen as a manifestation of God Himself in the Old Testament. The Hebrew term "mal'ak YHWH" is used, indicating a special envoy of God, distinct from other angels. In the context of Numbers 22, the angel of the LORD serves as a divine intervention in Balaam's journey, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the seriousness of Balaam's mission. Historically, the presence of the angel signifies God's direct involvement in the affairs of His people, guiding and correcting them.

asked him
This phrase indicates a direct communication between the divine and human realms. The Hebrew root "sha'al" implies a questioning that seeks understanding or accountability. In this narrative, the angel's question to Balaam is not merely for information but serves to confront Balaam with his actions and intentions, urging him to reflect on his path and align with God's will.

Why have you beaten your donkey
This question highlights the unjust treatment of the donkey by Balaam. The Hebrew word "nakah" for "beaten" suggests a violent or harsh action. This moment serves as a moral lesson, illustrating how Balaam's spiritual blindness led to physical violence. It underscores the theme of seeing and understanding God's will, as the donkey perceives the angel's presence while Balaam does not.

these three times?
The repetition of "three times" is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing completeness or emphasis. In this context, it underscores Balaam's persistent misunderstanding and mistreatment, despite multiple opportunities to perceive the truth. This repetition serves as a narrative device to highlight Balaam's stubbornness and the need for divine intervention to correct his course.

I have come here to oppose you
The phrase reveals the purpose of the angel's appearance. The Hebrew root "satan" is used here, meaning to oppose or act as an adversary. This is one of the few instances where the term is used in a non-demonic sense, illustrating God's active role in redirecting Balaam's path. It serves as a reminder of God's protective nature over His people and His willingness to intervene when His plans are threatened.

because your way is reckless
The word "reckless" translates from the Hebrew "yarat," meaning to be rash or hasty. This critique of Balaam's journey reflects a deeper spiritual recklessness, where Balaam's desire for personal gain blinds him to God's will. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing one's own desires over divine guidance.

before Me
This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of Balaam's offense against God. The Hebrew "panim" (face) suggests a direct affront to God's presence and authority. It highlights the intimate relationship between God and His people, where actions are not just against others but are ultimately before God Himself. This serves as a call to live with an awareness of God's constant presence and to align one's actions with His will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) Because thy way is perverse before me.--Or, because the way leads to destruction in my sight.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 32. - Because thy way is perverse. יָרָט, an uncommon word, which seems to mean "leading headlong," 1.e. to destruction.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The Angel
מַלְאַ֣ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

asked him,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

have you beaten
הִכִּ֙יתָ֙ (hik·kî·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

your donkey
אֲתֹ֣נְךָ֔ (’ă·ṯō·nə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 860: A female donkey

these
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

three
שָׁל֣וֹשׁ (šā·lō·wōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

times?
רְגָלִ֑ים (rə·ḡā·lîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

Behold,
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I
אָנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

have come out
יָצָ֣אתִי (yā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to oppose you,
לְשָׂטָ֔ן (lə·śā·ṭān)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7854: An opponent -- Satan, the arch-enemy of good

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

your way
הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

is perverse
יָרַ֥ט (yā·raṭ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3399: To precipitate, hurl, headlong, to be rash

before me.
לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃ (lə·neḡ·dî)
Preposition-l | first person common singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

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OT Law: Numbers 22:32 The angel of Yahweh said to him (Nu Num.)