31 Then the LORD H3068 opened H1540 the eyes H5869 of Balaam, H1109 and he saw H7200 the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 standing H5324 in the way, H1870 and his sword H2719 drawn H8025 in his hand: H3027 and he bowed down H6915 his head, and fell flat H7812 on his face. H639
32 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten H5221 thine ass H860 these three H7969 times? H7272 behold, I went out H3318 to withstand H7854 thee, because thy way H1870 is perverse H3399 before me:
33 And the ass H860 saw H7200 me, and turned H5186 from me H6440 these three H7969 times: H7272 unless H194 she had turned H5186 from me, H6440 surely now also I had slain H2026 thee, and saved her alive. H2421
34 And Balaam H1109 said H559 unto the angel H4397 of the LORD, H3068 I have sinned; H2398 for I knew H3045 not that thou stoodest H5324 in the way H1870 against H7125 me: now therefore, if it displease thee, H7489 H5869 I will get me back again. H7725
35 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Balaam, H1109 Go H3212 with the men: H582 but only H657 the word H1697 that I shall speak H1696 unto thee, that thou shalt speak. H1696 So Balaam H1109 went H3212 with the princes H8269 of Balak. H1111
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 22
Commentary on Numbers 22 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 22
At this chapter begins the famous story of Balak and Balaam, their attempt to curse Israel, and the baffling of that attempt; God's people are long afterwards told to remember what Balak the king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, that they might know the righteousness of the Lord, Mic. 6:5. In this chapter we have,
Num 22:1-14
The children of Israel have at length finished their wanderings in the wilderness, out of which they went up (ch. 21:18), and are now encamped in the plains of Moab near Jordan, where they continued till they passed through Jordan under Joshua, after the death of Moses. Now we have here,
Num 22:15-21
We have here a second embassy sent to Balaam, to fetch him over to curse Israel. It were well for us if we were as earnest and constant in prosecuting a good work, notwithstanding disappointments, as Balak was in pursuing this ill design. The enemies of the church are restless and unwearied in their attempts against it; but he that sits in heaven laughs at them. Observe,
Num 22:22-35
We have here an account of the opposition God gave to Balaam in his journey towards Moab; probably the princes had gone before, or gone some other way, and Balaam had pointed out where he would meet them, or where they should stay for him, for we read nothing of them in this part of our narrative, only that Balaam, like a person of some quality, was attended with his two men-honour enough, one would think, for such a man, he needed not be beholden to Balak for promotion.
Num 22:36-41
We have here the meeting between Balak and Balaam, confederate enemies to God's Israel; but here they seem to differ in their expectations of the success.