Numbers 22:33
Numbers 22:33 in Multiple Translations
The 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.”
And 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.
and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.
And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe.
The donkey saw me and avoided me three times. If it had not avoided me, by now I definitely would have killed you and allowed the donkey to live.”
But the asse sawe me, and turned from me now three times: for els, if she had not turned from me, surely I had euen nowe slaine thee, and saued her aliue.
and the ass seeth me, and turneth aside at my presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from my presence, surely now also, thee I had slain, and her kept alive.'
The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”
And 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.
And unless the ass had turned out of the way, giving place to me who stood against thee, I had slain thee, and she should have lived.
Three times your donkey saw me and turned away from me. If it had not done that, I would certainly have killed you already, but I would have allowed the donkey to live.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 22:33
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Numbers 22:33 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 22:33
Study Notes — Numbers 22:33
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 22:33 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:33
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:33
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:33
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
- Sermons on Numbers 22:33
Context — The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 16:33–35 | They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!” And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. |
| 2 | Numbers 14:37 | those men who had brought out the bad report about the land—were struck down by a plague before the LORD. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 13:24–28 | As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.” Then the old prophet instructed his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it, and he went and found the body lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. The lion had not eaten the body or mauled the donkey. |
Numbers 22:33 Summary
This verse shows us that even animals can be more aware of God's presence than humans sometimes. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord and turned away, saving Balaam's life, which teaches us about the importance of obedience and humility, as seen in James 4:10. The angel's warning to Balaam emphasizes the need to align our ways with God's will, as taught in Proverbs 3:6, and to trust in His guidance and provision, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7. By reflecting on this verse, we can learn to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and to trust in God's sovereignty, as described in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the donkey see the angel of the Lord and Balaam did not?
The Bible does not provide a direct answer to this question, but it highlights the donkey's instinct and obedience to God's protection, whereas Balaam's spiritual blindness prevented him from seeing the angel, much like the spiritual blindness described in 2 Corinthians 4:4.
What does it mean that the angel's way was 'perverse before me'?
This phrase is spoken by the angel of the Lord to Balaam, indicating that Balaam's intentions and actions were contrary to God's will, as seen in the context of Numbers 22:32, and emphasizing the importance of aligning our ways with God's, as taught in Proverbs 3:6.
Would the angel have really killed Balaam and spared the donkey?
The angel's statement in Numbers 22:33 serves as a warning to Balaam, emphasizing the severity of his disobedience and the importance of humility, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6, and the value God places on obedience, even in the face of adversity, as demonstrated in Daniel 3:17-18.
What can we learn from the donkey's actions in this verse?
The donkey's actions demonstrate obedience and instinctual knowledge of God's presence, as seen in Numbers 22:33, teaching us to trust in God's guidance and provision, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7, and to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives, as described in Galatians 5:25.
Reflection Questions
- How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in my life, like the donkey's instinctual knowledge of the angel?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'beating' or struggling against God's will, and how can I surrender to His plan?
- In what ways can I demonstrate obedience to God, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable, like the donkey's refusal to move forward?
- How can I apply the lesson of Balaam's spiritual blindness to my own life, and what steps can I take to ensure I am walking in God's will?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:33
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:33
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:33
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 22:33
Sermons on Numbers 22:33
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Bond of Perfection by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the critical importance of unity within the Body of Christ, likening disunity to a boxing match between one's own limbs. He warns that the devil exploits d |

