Numbers

Numbers 22:23–30

23When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path.

24Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between two vineyards, with walls on either side. 25And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.

26And the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or left. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.

28Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”

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

30But 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.

Read all of Numbers 22

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Numbers 22:23

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When the donkeyהָאָתוֹן֩hā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
sawוַתֵּ֣רֶאwat·tê·reConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH7200 see
the angelמַלְאַ֨ךְmal·’aḵNoun - masculine singular constructH4397 messenger
of the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
standingנִצָּ֣בniṣ·ṣāḇVerb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularH5324 take one's stand, stand
in the roadבַּדֶּ֗רֶךְbad·de·reḵPreposition-b, Article; Noun - common singularH1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
with a drawnשְׁלוּפָה֙šə·lū·p̄āhVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularH8025 draw out, off
swordוְחַרְבּ֤וֹwə·ḥar·bōwConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2719 sword
in his handבְּיָד֔וֹbə·yā·ḏōwPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
sheהָֽאָתוֹן֙hā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
turnedוַתֵּ֤טwat·têṭConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
offמִן־min-PrepositionH4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
the pathהַדֶּ֔רֶךְhad·de·reḵArticle; Noun - common singularH1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
and wentוַתֵּ֖לֶךְwat·tê·leḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH1980 go, come, walk
into a fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֑הbaś·śā·ḏehPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH7704 id.
So Balaamבִּלְעָם֙bil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
beatוַיַּ֤ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
herהָ֣אָת֔וֹןhā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
to return herלְהַטֹּתָ֖הּlə·haṭ·ṭō·ṯāhPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct; third person feminine singularH5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
to the pathהַדָּֽרֶךְ׃had·dā·reḵArticle; Noun - common singularH1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner

Numbers 22:24

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal·’aḵNoun - masculine singular constructH4397 messenger
of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
stoodוַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙way·ya·‘ă·mōḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5975 take one's stand, stand
in a narrow passageבְּמִשְׁע֖וֹלbə·miš·‘ō·wlPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH4934 hollow way
between two vineyardsהַכְּרָמִ֑יםhak·kə·rā·mîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH3754 vineyard
with wallsגָּדֵ֥רgā·ḏêrNoun - masculine singularH1447 wall
on either sideמִזֶּ֖הmiz·zehPreposition-m; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that

Numbers 22:25

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And the donkeyהָאָת֜וֹןhā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
sawוַתֵּ֨רֶאwat·tê·reConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH7200 see
the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal·’aḵNoun - masculine singular constructH4397 messenger
of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
and pressed herselfוַתִּלָּחֵץ֙wat·til·lā·ḥêṣConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH3905 squeeze, press
againstאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
the wallהַקִּ֔ירhaq·qîrArticle; Noun - masculine singularH7023 wall
crushingוַתִּלְחַ֛ץwat·til·ḥaṣConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH3905 squeeze, press
Balaam’sבִּלְעָ֖םbil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
footרֶ֥גֶלre·ḡelNoun - feminine singular constructH7272 foot
againstאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
itהַקִּ֑ירhaq·qîrArticle; Noun - masculine singularH7023 wall
So he beat herלְהַכֹּתָֽהּ׃lə·hak·kō·ṯāhPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct; third person feminine singularH5221 smite
once againוַיֹּ֖סֶףway·yō·sep̄Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3254 add

Numbers 22:26

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And the angelמַלְאַךְ־mal·’aḵ-Noun - masculine singular constructH4397 messenger
of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
movedעֲב֑וֹר‘ă·ḇō·wrVerb - Qal - Infinitive constructH5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
on aheadוַיּ֥וֹסֶףway·yō·w·sep̄Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3254 add
and stoodוַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙way·ya·‘ă·mōḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5975 take one's stand, stand
in a narrowצָ֔רṣārAdjective - masculine singularH6862 narrow, tight
placeבְּמָק֣וֹםbə·mā·qō·wmPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singularH4725 standing, spot, condition
whereאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
there was noאֵֽין־’ên-AdverbH369 nothing, nought
roomדֶּ֥רֶךְde·reḵNoun - common singularH1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
to turnלִנְט֖וֹתlin·ṭō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
to the rightיָמִ֥יןyā·mînNoun - feminine singularH3225 right hand
or leftוּשְׂמֹֽאול׃ū·śə·mō·wlConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singularH8040 the left

Numbers 22:27

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When the donkeyהָֽאָתוֹן֙hā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
sawוַתֵּ֤רֶאwat·tê·reConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH7200 see
the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal·’aḵNoun - masculine singular constructH4397 messenger
of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
she lay downוַתִּרְבַּ֖ץwat·tir·baṣConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH7257 stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
underתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯPrepositionH8478 the under part
Balaamבִּלְעָ֑םbil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
andבִּלְעָ֔םbil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
became furiousוַיִּֽחַר־way·yi·ḥar-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH2734 burn, be kindled
and beatוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
with his staffבַּמַּקֵּֽל׃bam·maq·qêlPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH4731 rod, staff

Numbers 22:28

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
openedוַיִּפְתַּ֥חway·yip̄·taḥConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH6605 open
the donkey’sהָאָת֑וֹןhā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
mouthפִּ֣יpîNoun - masculine singular constructH6310 mouth
and she saidוַתֹּ֤אמֶרwat·tō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH559 utter, say
to Balaamלְבִלְעָם֙lə·ḇil·‘āmPreposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
Whatמֶה־meh-InterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
have I doneעָשִׂ֣יתִֽי‘ā·śî·ṯîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH6213 do, make
to youלְךָ֔lə·ḵāPreposition; second person masculine singular
thatכִּ֣יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
you have beaten meהִכִּיתַ֔נִיhik·kî·ṯa·nîVerb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular; first person common singularH5221 smite
theseזֶ֖הzehPronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
threeשָׁלֹ֥שׁšā·lōšNumber - feminine singularH7969 a three, triad
timesרְגָלִֽים׃rə·ḡā·lîmNoun - feminine pluralH7272 foot

Numbers 22:29

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Balaamבִּלְעָם֙bil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
answeredוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
the donkeyלָֽאָת֔וֹןlā·’ā·ṯō·wnPreposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
You have made a foolהִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּhiṯ·‘al·laltVerb - Hitpael - Perfect - second person feminine singularH5953 act severely
of meבִּ֑יbîPreposition; first person common singular
Ifל֤וּlūPrepositionH3863 if
I hadיֶשׁ־yeš-AdverbH3426 being, substance, existence
a swordחֶ֙רֶב֙ḥe·reḇNoun - feminine singularH2719 sword
in my handבְּיָדִ֔יbə·yā·ḏîPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; first person common singularH3027 hand
I would kill youהֲרַגְתִּֽיךְ׃hă·raḡ·tîḵVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular; second person feminine singularH2026 kill, slay
right nowעַתָּ֖ה‘at·tāhAdverbH6258 now

Numbers 22:30

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
But the donkeyהָאָת֜וֹןhā·’ā·ṯō·wnArticle; Noun - feminine singularH860 she-ass
saidוַתֹּ֨אמֶרwat·tō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularH559 utter, say
to Balaamבִּלְעָ֗םbil·‘āmNoun - proper - masculine singularH1109 Balaam
Am Iאָנֹכִ֨י’ā·nō·ḵîPronoun - first person common singularH595 I
notהֲלוֹא֩hă·lō·wAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
the donkeyאֲתֹֽנְךָ֜’ă·ṯō·nə·ḵāNoun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singularH860 she-ass
you have riddenרָכַ֣בְתָּrā·ḵaḇ·tāVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH7392 mount and ride, ride
all your lifeמֵעֽוֹדְךָ֙mê·‘ō·wḏ·ḵāPreposition-m; Adverb; second person masculine singularH5750 a going round, continuance
until todayעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
Have I ever treatedלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH6213 do, make
youלְךָ֖lə·ḵāPreposition; second person masculine singular
this wayכֹּ֑הkōhAdverbH3541 thus, here
beforeהַֽהַסְכֵּ֣ןha·has·kênVerb - Hifil - Infinitive absoluteH5532 be of use of service, benefit
Noלֹֽא׃lōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
he repliedוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Numbers 22:23 Jude 1:11 · 2 Peter 2:16 · 1 Corinthians 1:27–29

Numbers 22:25 Job 5:13–15 · Isaiah 47:12

Numbers 22:26 Hosea 2:6 · Isaiah 26:11

Numbers 22:27 Proverbs 14:16 · James 1:19

Numbers 22:28 2 Peter 2:16 · Exodus 4:11 · Luke 1:37

Numbers 22:29 Proverbs 12:10 · Proverbs 12:16 · Matthew 15:19

Numbers 22:30 2 Peter 2:16

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.