Numbers 22:31

Angels and the spiritual world Miracles and God's intervention

²⁹ And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

³⁰ And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

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.

³² 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:

³³ And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

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
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
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Luke 24:31
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Read in context
Numbers 24:16
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Read in context
Numbers 24:4
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Read in context
Luke 24:16
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
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1 Chronicles 21:16
And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
Read in context
John 18:6
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Read in context