Numbers 22:21
Numbers 22:21 in Multiple Translations
So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab.
In the morning Balaam got up, put a saddle on his donkey, and left with the Moabite leaders.
So Balaam rose vp early, and sadled his asse, and went with the princes of Moab.
And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and goeth with the princes of Moab,
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
And Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Balaam arose in the morning, and saddling his ass went with them.
So the next morning, Balaam put a saddle on his donkey and he departed with two of his servants along with the men from Moab.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 22:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 22:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֤קָם
בִּלְעָם֙
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
וַֽ/יַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
אֶת
אֲתֹנ֑/וֹ
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
עִם
שָׂרֵ֥י
מוֹאָֽב
וַ/יָּ֤קָם
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בִּלְעָם֙
Bilʻâm
H1109
Balaam
N-proper
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
bôqer
H1242
morning
Prep | N-ms
וַֽ/יַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
châbash
H2280
to saddle/tie
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֲתֹנ֑/וֹ
ʼâthôwn
H860
she-ass
N-fs | Suff
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
שָׂרֵ֥י
sar
H8269
ruler
N-mp
מוֹאָֽב
Môwʼâb
H4124
Moab
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 22:21
וַ/יָּ֤קָם
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
בִּלְעָם֙
Bilʻâm
H1109
"Balaam"
N-proper
Balaam was a prophet from Mesopotamia, also the name of a place in Palestine. He is known for trying to curse the Israelites in the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5; son of: Beor (H1160H) Also named: Balaam (Βαλαάμ "Balaam" G0903) § Balaam = "not of the people" the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Balaam, Bileam. See also: Numbers 22:5; Numbers 23:2; Micah 6:5.
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
bôqer
H1242
"morning"
Prep | N-ms
The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.
Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.
וַֽ/יַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
châbash
H2280
"to saddle/tie"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to tie or bind something firmly, like a turban or a saddle. It is also used figuratively to mean stopping or ruling something. In 1 Kings 20:12, it describes the binding of a wound.
Definition: 1) to tie, bind, bind on, bind up, saddle, restrain, bandage, govern 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind, bind on 1a2) to bind up 1b) (Piel) to bind, restrain 1c) (Pual) to be bound up
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about. See also: Genesis 22:3; Job 34:17; Psalms 147:3.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֲתֹנ֑/וֹ
ʼâthôwn
H860
"she-ass"
N-fs | Suff
A female donkey is referred to by this Hebrew word, which emphasizes the animal's gentle nature. It appears in Genesis 12:16 and 31:34, describing the donkeys owned by Abraham and Jacob.
Definition: she-ass, she-donkey
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (she) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 5:10; Zechariah 9:9.
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
שָׂרֵ֥י
sar
H8269
"ruler"
N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
מוֹאָֽב
Môwʼâb
H4124
"Moab"
N-proper
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Definition: Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I) § Moab = "of his father" the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: Moab. See also: Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 60:10.
Study Notes — Numbers 22:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Balak Summons Balaam
19So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”
20That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”
21So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
22Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 1:15–16 | my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. |
Numbers 22:21 Summary
In Numbers 22:21, Balaam gets up and goes with the princes of Moab because God had told him to do so the night before. However, as we see in the next verse, God becomes angry with Balaam, suggesting that his heart was not fully surrendered to God's will. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's will and obeying His instructions, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises to prosper us and give us hope and a future. By surrendering our hearts to God, we can trust in His goodness and guidance, just like we're encouraged to do in Psalm 23:1-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Balaam get up and go with the princes of Moab in Numbers 22:21?
Balaam got up and went with the princes of Moab because God had instructed him to do so the night before, as seen in Numbers 22:20, where God said, 'Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.'
Was Balaam obeying God's will by going with the princes of Moab?
Although God had given Balaam permission to go with the princes of Moab, his heart was not fully surrendered to God's will, as evident from God's anger being kindled in Numbers 22:22, which suggests that Balaam's motivations were not entirely pure.
What can we learn from Balaam's actions in Numbers 22:21?
We can learn the importance of obeying God's instructions and seeking His will in all we do, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
How does Numbers 22:21 relate to the rest of the story in Numbers 22?
Numbers 22:21 sets the stage for the events that unfold in the rest of the chapter, including Balaam's encounter with the angel of the Lord in Numbers 22:22-35, which ultimately leads to Balaam's prophetic declarations in Numbers 22:36-24:25.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am being summoned by the world, and how can I ensure that I am only doing what God tells me to do?
- In what ways can I, like Balaam, be prone to disobedience or mixed motivations, and how can I surrender my heart to God's will?
- How can I, in my daily life, trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What are some potential consequences of not fully surrendering to God's will, as seen in Balaam's experience in Numbers 22:22-35?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning,.... Early, not waiting for the call of the princes, which showed how eager he was to be gone, and how intent upon the journey: and saddled his ass; which, if he did
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Balaam ... saddled his ass. Probably one of the white sprightly animals which persons of rank were accustomed to ride.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 22:21
Numbers 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.Ver. 21. And saddled his ass.] Which never runs fast enough after preferment, till horse and man and all to the devil.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 22:21
21. In the morning — In contrast with Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice all to God in Isaac (Genesis 22:3) is Balaam’s greediness to clutch the wages of iniquity.
Sermons on Numbers 22:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Struggle Is Real by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman emphasizes the reality of the struggle to obey God's wisdom in his sermon 'The Struggle Is Real.' He discusses how wisdom, as outlined in Proverbs, is essential for m |