Numbers 22:31
“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.”
Numbers 22:31 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Forthwith the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel standing in the way with a drawn sword, and he worshipped him falling flat on the ground.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- 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.
- DARBYDarby
- 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.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- And Jehovah uncovereth the eyes of Balaam, and he seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and he boweth and doth obeisance, to his face;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with a drawn sword. He bowed his head and fell flat on his face.
Context: Numbers 22
29And 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.
30And 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.
31Then 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.
32And 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:
33And 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.
About Numbers 22: Balaam and Balak
Balaam is hired to curse the Israelites, but he blesses them instead.
Commentary
In Numbers 22, the Israelites are on their way to the Promised Land and have arrived at the plains of Moab. Balak, the king of Moab, is afraid of the Israelites and sends for Balaam, a prophet, to curse them. Balaam is initially reluctant to go, but God tells him to go with the Moabite messengers. On the way, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel of the Lord and stops. Balaam is angry and beats the donkey, but the angel reveals himself and tells Balaam that he is only protecting him. Balaam then continues on his journey and meets with Balak.