Numbers 22:31

Angels and the spiritual world Miracles and God's intervention

²⁹ Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”

³⁰ But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied.

Then 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.

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.

³³ The 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.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then 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.
KJV: Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
WEB: Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
ASV: Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
DARBY: Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of Jehovah standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed and prostrated himself on his face.
BLB: And YHWH opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of YHWH standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

ÅB: Og Herren åpnet Bileams øyne, så han så Herrens engel, som sto på veien med et draget sverd i sin hånd; da bøyde han seg og falt ned på sitt ansikt.
OTB: Da lot Herren Bileam se klart, og han så Herrens engel stå i veien med et løftet sverd. Så bøyde han seg lavt og falt ned på sitt ansikt.
B1930: Og Herren oplot Bileams øine, så han så Herrens engel, som stod på veien med et draget sverd i sin hånd; da bøide han sig og falt ned på sitt ansikt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 21:19
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
Read in context
Luke 24:31
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.
Read in context
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
Read in context
Numbers 24:16
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
Read in context
Numbers 24:4
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
Read in context
Luke 24:16
But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
Read in context
1 Chronicles 21:16
When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.
Read in context
John 18:6
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Read in context