Numbers

Numbers 22:28–35

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.

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^c 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.”

³⁴“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”

³⁵But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Footnotes

c 22:32 Or reckless or contrary

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 22:28

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then the LORD	יְהוָ֖ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
opened	וַיִּפְתַּ֥ח	way·yip̄·taḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H6605 open
the donkey’s	הָאָת֑וֹן	hā·’ā·ṯō·wn	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H860 she-ass
mouth	פִּ֣י	pî	Noun - masculine singular construct	H6310 mouth
and she said	וַתֹּ֤אמֶר	wat·tō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H559 utter, say
to Balaam	לְבִלְעָם֙	lə·ḇil·‘ām	Preposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
What	מֶה־	meh-	Interrogative	H4100 what? how? aught
have I done	עָשִׂ֣יתִֽי	‘ā·śî·ṯî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H6213 do, make
to you	לְךָ֔	lə·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular
that	כִּ֣י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
you have beaten me	הִכִּיתַ֔נִי	hik·kî·ṯa·nî	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular; first person common singular	H5221 smite
these	זֶ֖ה	zeh	Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
three	שָׁלֹ֥שׁ	šā·lōš	Number - feminine singular	H7969 a three, triad
times	רְגָלִֽים׃	rə·ḡā·lîm	Noun - feminine plural	H7272 foot

Numbers 22:29

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Balaam	בִּלְעָם֙	bil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
answered	וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
the donkey	לָֽאָת֔וֹן	lā·’ā·ṯō·wn	Preposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singular	H860 she-ass
You have made a fool	הִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּ	hiṯ·‘al·lalt	Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - second person feminine singular	H5953 act severely
of me	בִּ֑י	bî	Preposition; first person common singular
If	ל֤וּ	lū	Preposition	H3863 if
I had	יֶשׁ־	yeš-	Adverb	H3426 being, substance, existence
a sword	חֶ֙רֶב֙	ḥe·reḇ	Noun - feminine singular	H2719 sword
in my hand	בְּיָדִ֔י	bə·yā·ḏî	Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; first person common singular	H3027 hand
I would kill you	הֲרַגְתִּֽיךְ׃	hă·raḡ·tîḵ	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular; second person feminine singular	H2026 kill, slay
right now	עַתָּ֖ה	‘at·tāh	Adverb	H6258 now

Numbers 22:30

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But the donkey	הָאָת֜וֹן	hā·’ā·ṯō·wn	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H860 she-ass
said	וַתֹּ֨אמֶר	wat·tō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H559 utter, say
to Balaam	בִּלְעָ֗ם	bil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
Am I	אָנֹכִ֨י	’ā·nō·ḵî	Pronoun - first person common singular	H595 I
not	הֲלוֹא֩	hă·lō·w	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
the donkey	אֲתֹֽנְךָ֜	’ă·ṯō·nə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H860 she-ass
you have ridden	רָכַ֣בְתָּ	rā·ḵaḇ·tā	Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular	H7392 mount and ride, ride
all your life	מֵעֽוֹדְךָ֙	mê·‘ō·wḏ·ḵā	Preposition-m; Adverb; second person masculine singular	H5750 a going round, continuance
until today	עַד־	‘aḏ-	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
Have I ever treated	לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת	la·‘ă·śō·wṯ	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H6213 do, make
you	לְךָ֖	lə·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular
this way	כֹּ֑ה	kōh	Adverb	H3541 thus, here
before	הַֽהַסְכֵּ֣ן	ha·has·kên	Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute	H5532 be of use of service, benefit
No	לֹֽא׃	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
he replied	וַיֹּ֖אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say

Numbers 22:31

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then the LORD	יְהוָה֮	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
opened	וַיְגַ֣ל	way·ḡal	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1540 uncover, remove
Balaam’s	בִלְעָם֒	ḇil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
eyes	עֵינֵ֣י	‘ê·nê	Noun - cdc	H5869 eye
and he saw	וַיַּ֞רְא	way·yar	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7200 see
the angel	מַלְאַ֤ךְ	mal·’aḵ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4397 messenger
of the LORD	יְהוָה֙	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
standing	נִצָּ֣ב	niṣ·ṣāḇ	Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular	H5324 take one's stand, stand
in the road	בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ	bad·de·reḵ	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - common singular	H1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
with a drawn	שְׁלֻפָ֖ה	šə·lu·p̄āh	Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular	H8025 draw out, off
sword	וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ	wə·ḥar·bōw	Conjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H2719 sword
in his hand	בְּיָד֑וֹ	bə·yā·ḏōw	Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3027 hand
And Balaam bowed low	וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ	way·yiš·ta·ḥū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7812 bow down
and fell facedown	לְאַפָּֽיו׃	lə·’ap·pāw	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine dual construct; third person masculine singular	H639 nostril, nose, face, anger

Numbers 22:32

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
The angel	מַלְאַ֣ךְ	mal·’aḵ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4397 messenger
of the LORD	יְהוָ֔ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
asked him	וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
Why	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
have you beaten	הִכִּ֙יתָ֙	hik·kî·ṯā	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular	H5221 smite
your donkey	אֲתֹ֣נְךָ֔	’ă·ṯō·nə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H860 she-ass
these	זֶ֖ה	zeh	Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
three	שָׁל֣וֹשׁ	šā·lō·wōš	Number - feminine singular	H7969 a three, triad
times	רְגָלִ֑ים	rə·ḡā·lîm	Noun - feminine plural	H7272 foot
Behold	הִנֵּ֤ה	hin·nêh	Interjection	H2009 lo! behold!
I	אָנֹכִי֙	’ā·nō·ḵî	Pronoun - first person common singular	H595 I
have come out	יָצָ֣אתִי	yā·ṣā·ṯî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H3318 go or come out
to oppose you	לְשָׂטָ֔ן	lə·śā·ṭān	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular	H7854 adversary
because	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
your way	הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ	had·de·reḵ	Article; Noun - common singular	H1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
is perverse	יָרַ֥ט	yā·raṭ	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H3399 be precipitate, precipitate
before me	לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃	lə·neḡ·dî	Preposition-l; first person common singular	H5048 what is conspicuous or in front

Numbers 22:33

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
The donkey	הָֽאָת֔וֹן	hā·’ā·ṯō·wn	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H860 she-ass
saw me	וַתִּרְאַ֙נִי֙	wat·tir·’a·nî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular; first person common singular	H7200 see
and turned away	וַתֵּ֣ט	wat·têṭ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
from me	לְפָנַ֔י	lə·p̄ā·nay	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct; first person common singular	H6440 face, before
these	זֶ֖ה	zeh	Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
three	שָׁלֹ֣שׁ	šā·lōš	Number - feminine singular	H7969 a three, triad
times	רְגָלִ֑ים	rə·ḡā·lîm	Noun - feminine plural	H7272 foot
If she had not	אוּלַי֙	’ū·lay	Adverb	H194 peradventure, perhaps
turned away	נָטְתָ֣ה	nā·ṭə·ṯāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular	H5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
then by now	עַתָּ֛ה	‘at·tāh	Adverb	H6258 now
I would surely have killed	הָרַ֖גְתִּי	hā·raḡ·tî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H2026 kill, slay
you	אֹתְכָ֥ה	’ō·ṯə·ḵāh	Direct object marker; second person masculine singular	H853 mark of the accusative
and	וְאוֹתָ֥הּ	wə·’ō·w·ṯāh	Conjunctive waw; Direct object marker; third person feminine singular	H853 mark of the accusative
live	הֶחֱיֵֽיתִי׃	he·ḥĕ·yê·ṯî	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular	H2421 live

Numbers 22:34

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
I have sinned	חָטָ֔אתִי	ḥā·ṭā·ṯî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H2398 miss
Balaam	בִּלְעָ֜ם	bil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
said	וַיֹּ֨אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
the angel	מַלְאַ֤ךְ	mal·’aḵ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4397 messenger
of the LORD	יְהוָה֙	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
for	כִּ֚י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
I did not	לֹ֣א	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
realize	יָדַ֔עְתִּי	yā·ḏa‘·tî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H3045 know
that	כִּ֥י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
you	אַתָּ֛ה	’at·tāh	Pronoun - second person masculine singular	H859 thou
were standing	נִצָּ֥ב	niṣ·ṣāḇ	Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular	H5324 take one's stand, stand
in the road	בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ	bad·dā·reḵ	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - common singular	H1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
to confront me	לִקְרָאתִ֖י	liq·rā·ṯî	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; first person common singular	H7122 encounter, befall
And now	וְעַתָּ֛ה	wə·‘at·tāh	Conjunctive waw; Adverb	H6258 now
if	אִם־	’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
this is displeasing	רַ֥ע	ra‘	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H7489 be evil, bad
in your sight	בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ	bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā	Preposition-b; Noun - cdc; second person masculine singular	H5869 eye
I will go back	אָשׁ֥וּבָה	’ā·šū·ḇāh	Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular	H7725 turn back, return

Numbers 22:35

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But the angel	מַלְאַ֨ךְ	mal·’aḵ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4397 messenger
of the LORD	יְהוָ֜ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
said	וַיֹּאמֶר֩	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Balaam	בִּלְעָ֗ם	bil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
Go	לֵ֚ךְ	lêḵ	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H1980 go, come, walk
with	עִם־	‘im-	Preposition	H5973 with
the men	הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים	hā·’ă·nā·šîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H582 man, mankind
but you are to speak	אֲדַבֵּ֥ר	’ă·ḏab·bêr	Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular	H1696 speak
only	וְאֶ֗פֶס	wə·’e·p̄es	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular	H657 the two extremities
what	אֲשֶׁר־	’ă·šer-	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
I tell you	תְדַבֵּ֑ר	ṯə·ḏab·bêr	Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular	H1696 speak
So Balaam	בִּלְעָ֖ם	bil·‘ām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1109 Balaam
went	וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ	way·yê·leḵ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1980 go, come, walk
with	עִם־	‘im-	Preposition	H5973 with
the princes	שָׂרֵ֥י	śā·rê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
of Balak	בָלָֽק׃	ḇā·lāq	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1111 Balak