Numbers · American Standard Version (1901)
Numbers 22 American Standard Version (1901)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
1 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
2 Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
3 Moab was very afraid of the people, because they were many. Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5 And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me.
5 He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
6 Please come now therefore, and curse this people for me; for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
7 The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
8 He said to them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me.” The princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
9 God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, [saying],
10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,
11 Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.
11 ‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.
12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
13 Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.”
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
14 The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
15 Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
16 They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Balak the son of Zippor says, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
17 for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
17 for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.’”
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more.
18 Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak unto me more.
19 Now therefore please stay here tonight as well, that I may know what else Yahweh will speak to me.”
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.
20 God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.”
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
21 Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
22 God’s anger burned because he went; and Yahweh’s angel placed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
23 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path.
24 Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
24 Then Yahweh’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
25 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.
26 And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
26 Yahweh’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff.
27 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
28 Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
29 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.
29 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.”
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?” He said, “No.”
31 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.
31 Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
32 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me:
32 Yahweh’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.
33 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.
33 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.”
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
34 Balaam said to Yahweh’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”
35 And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
35 Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
37 Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?”
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
38 Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word that God puts in my mouth.”
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth.
39 Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.
41 And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people.
41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the people.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Balaam
The son of Beor from Pethor, hired by Balak to curse Israel, who could only bless Israel after the angel of the LORD stopped his donkey, and who was later killed by the sword…
Cited in the guide: Numbers 22:5; Numbers 22:12; Numbers 24:3
Balak
The son of Zippor and king of Moab, who feared Israel and hired Balaam to curse them, but each oracle from the high places turned into a blessing.
Cited in the guide: Numbers 22:2; Numbers 22:4; Numbers 23:2
Beor
The father of the diviner Balaam, whose home was Pethor by the Euphrates.
Cited in the guide: Numbers 22:5; Numbers 24:3; Deuteronomy 23:4
Zippor
The father of Balak, king of Moab.
Cited in the guide: Numbers 22:2; Numbers 22:4; Joshua 24:9
Cross references (36)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Numbers 33:48–50; Numbers 32:19; Joshua 3:16; Numbers 21:20; Deuteronomy 34:1
- 2 Judges 11:25; Numbers 21:20–35; Numbers 21:3
- 3 Exodus 15:15; Isaiah 23:5; Joshua 9:24; Joshua 2:10–11; Deuteronomy 2:25
- 4 Numbers 25:15–18; Numbers 31:8; Jeremiah 48:38; Numbers 22:2; Joshua 13:21–22
- 5 Deuteronomy 23:4; Micah 6:5; Joshua 24:9; Jude 11; Numbers 23:7
- 6 Numbers 24:9; Numbers 23:7–8; 1 Kings 22:13; 1 Samuel 17:43; Genesis 12:3
- 7 Micah 3:11; 1 Samuel 9:7–8; 2 Peter 2:15; Isaiah 56:11; 1 Timothy 6:9–10
- 8 Numbers 23:12; Numbers 22:19–20; Jeremiah 12:2; Numbers 12:6; Ezekiel 33:31
- 9 Genesis 20:3; Numbers 22:20; Genesis 3:9–11; Daniel 4:31–32; Exodus 4:2
- 12 Deuteronomy 23:5; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 11:29; Numbers 23:19–20; Genesis 12:2
- 13 Numbers 22:14; Deuteronomy 23:5
- 14 Numbers 22:13; Numbers 22:37
- 15 Acts 10:7–8; Numbers 22:7–8
- 17 Numbers 24:11; Matthew 4:8–9; Numbers 23:2–3; Esther 7:9; Deuteronomy 16:9
- 18 Numbers 24:13; 2 Chronicles 18:13; 1 Kings 22:14; Numbers 23:26; Numbers 22:38
- 19 Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15; 2 Peter 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:9–10; Numbers 22:7–8
- 20 Numbers 24:13; Numbers 23:26; Numbers 23:12; Numbers 22:35; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12
- 21 Proverbs 1:15–16
- 22 Lamentations 2:4; Numbers 22:32; Exodus 4:24; Exodus 23:20; Hosea 12:4–5
- 23 Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 1:27–29; Jeremiah 8:7; Acts 22:9
- 25 Job 5:13–15; Isaiah 47:12
- 26 Hosea 2:6; Isaiah 26:11
- 27 Proverbs 14:16; James 1:19; Proverbs 27:3–4
- 28 2 Peter 2:16; Luke 1:37; Exodus 4:11; 1 Corinthians 1:19; Romans 8:22
- 29 Proverbs 12:10; Proverbs 12:16; Matthew 15:19; Ecclesiastes 9:3
- 30 2 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 1:27–28
- 31 Genesis 21:19; Luke 24:31; Acts 26:18; Numbers 24:16; Numbers 24:4
- 32 Proverbs 28:18; Numbers 22:22; Acts 13:10; Proverbs 14:2; Proverbs 28:6
- 33 Numbers 16:33–35; Numbers 14:37; 1 Kings 13:24–28
- 34 1 Samuel 15:24; Job 34:31–32; 2 Samuel 12:13; 1 Samuel 15:30; 1 Samuel 26:21
- 35 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12; Isaiah 37:26–29; Psalm 81:12; Numbers 22:20–21
- 36 Acts 28:15; Jeremiah 48:20; Isaiah 16:2; Deuteronomy 2:24; Genesis 18:2
- 37 Numbers 24:11; John 5:44; Matthew 4:8–9; Psalm 75:6; Luke 4:6
- 38 Numbers 22:18; Proverbs 19:21; Numbers 23:26; Numbers 23:16; 1 Kings 22:14
- 40 Numbers 23:14; Proverbs 1:16; Genesis 31:54; Numbers 23:30; Numbers 23:2
- 41 Numbers 23:13; Numbers 25:2–3; Numbers 21:28; Deuteronomy 12:2; Jeremiah 48:35
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
"Thou shall not go with them, neither shalt thou curse the people." He does not hint at anything with regard to the people, for they all lay before his view, but [he refers] to the mystery of Christ pointed out beforehand.