Numbers 22:29

Verse

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

American Standard Version (1901)

And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.

Bible in Basic English

And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death.

Free Bible Version

“You made me look stupid!” Balaam told the donkey. “If I was holding a sword, I'd kill you now!”

King James (Authorized) Version

And 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.

One Unity Resource Bible

Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people] said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”

Translation for Translators

Balaam shouted, “I struck you because you have caused me to appear to be foolish! If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Balaam replied to the donkey, “It was because you acted so stupidly with me. I wish there were a sword in my hand. If there were, by now I would have killed you.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in my hand, for now would I kill thee.

World English Bible

Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”

Young's Literal Translation

and Balaam saith to the ass, 'Because thou hast rolled thyself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain thee;'

Context

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

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!”

Summary

In this verse, Balaam's donkey speaks to him after being beaten three times. This miraculous event demonstrates God's power and ability to use any means to communicate His message. It serves as a reminder that God can intervene in extraordinary ways to prevent His people from going astray. The speaking donkey also highlights the importance of listening to God's voice, even when it comes from unexpected sources. Ultimately, this verse showcases God's sovereignty and His desire to guide and protect His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the angel of the Lord said unto him,.... When risen up, and standing before him: wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? the brute creatures are not to be beaten without cause, nor to be misused and abused by men, even their owners: behold, I went out to withstand thee; the ass was not to be blamed, nor to be beaten for turning aside, or lying down, it was I that stood in the way, and hindered its going forward, and this was done by me on purpose to oppose and stop thee: because thy way is perverse before me; the journey he took was not with his good liking and approbation, and especially seeing he went with an intention, if possible, to serve Balak, and curse Israel; the way of his heart was bad, which the Lord knew; it was not directed according to his will, but swerved from it; the Targum of Jonathan is,"it is manifest before me that thou seekest to go and curse the people, and the thing is not agreeable to me.''