Numbers 22:22-34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:31

Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam ,.... Who either was struck with blindness, as the men of Sodom were, so some think, or rather his eyes were held, that he could not see the angel; he could see other objects, as his ass, but he could not see that; as Elisha's servant could see the host that compassed the city, but not the chariots and horses of fire about Elisha, till his eyes were opened, 2 Kings 6:15 and so it was with Balaam until the Lord uncovered his eyes, or rolled away the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:32

And the angel of the Lord said unto him ,.... When risen up, and standing before him: wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times ? the brute creatures are not to be beaten without cause, nor to be misused and abused by men, even their owners: behold, I went out to withstand thee ; the ass was not to be blamed, nor to be beaten for turning aside, or lying down, it was I that stood in the way, and hindered its going forward, and this was done by me on purpose to oppose and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:33

And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times ,.... The ass saw the angel when Balaam did not, and that was the reason of its turning aside; and it was well for him it did, and therefore he should not have smote it: unless she had turned from me ; if she had pushed on, endeavouring to make her way: surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive ; had certainly and only slain him, and not the ass; and from hence the Jewish writers F20 Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 20.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:34

And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned ,.... That is, in beating the ass; not that he was sensible of his sin of covetousness, and of the evil disposition of his mind, and of his wicked intention in going along with the princes to curse Israel, if possible, and get Balak's presents and preferments: for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me ; signifying, that if he had known it, he should not have smitten the ass, but submitted himself to the will of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:23

And the ass saw the angel - When God granted visions those alone who were particularly interested saw them while others in the same company saw nothing; see Daniel 10:7 ; Acts 9:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:26

And the angel - stood in a narrow place - In this carriage of the angel says Mr. Ainsworth the Lord shows us the proceedings of his judgments against sinners: First he mildly shakes his rod at them but lets them go untouched. Secondly he comes nearer and touches them with an easy correction as it were wringing their foot against the wall. Thirdly, when all this is ineffectual, he brings them into such straits, that they can neither turn to the right hand nor to the left, but must fall before... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:28

The Lord opened the mouth of the ass - And where is the wonder of all this? If the ass had opened her own mouth, and reproved the rash prophet, we might well be astonished; but when God opens the mouth, an ass can speak as well as a man. It is worthy of remark here, that Balaam testifies no surprise at this miracle, because he saw it was the Lord's doing. Of animate and inanimate things receiving for a short time the gift of speech, the heathen mythology furnishes many fictitious examples,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:33

Surely now also I had slain thee - How often are the meanest animals, and the most trivial occurrences, instruments of the preservation of our lives, and of the salvation of our souls! The messenger of justice would have killed Balaam, had not the mercy of God prevented the ass from proceeding. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:34

If it displease thee, I will get me back again - Here is a proof, that though he loved the wages of unrighteousness, yet he still feared God; and he is now willing to drop the enterprise if God be displeased with his proceeding. The piety of many called Christians does not extend thus far; they see that the thing displeases God, and yet they proceed. Reader, is this thy case? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:22

Verse 22 22.And God’s anger was kindled because he went. How is it consistent that God should be angry when Balaam had attempted nothing, thus far, contrary to His command? But we must bear in mind, what I have lately hinted, that God apparently permits much which He does not approve. He allowed the people in the wilderness to eat flesh: He permitted men to give a writing of divorce to their wives, and even to marry several at once; still it was not right for them to eat the flesh, nor were... read more

Group of Brands