Numbers 22:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּ
Because thou hast mocked
H5953
הִתְעַלַּ֖לְתְּ
Because thou hast mocked
Strong's:
H5953
Word #:
5 of 13
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
ל֤וּ
me I would
H3863
ל֤וּ
me I would
Strong's:
H3863
Word #:
7 of 13
a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!
יֶשׁ
there were
H3426
יֶשׁ
there were
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
8 of 13
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
חֶ֙רֶב֙
a sword
H2719
חֶ֙רֶב֙
a sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
9 of 13
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בְּיָדִ֔י
in mine hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֔י
in mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַתָּ֖ה
H6258
Historical Context
This occurred circa 1406 BC as Israel camped in the plains of Moab. Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet from Pethor in Mesopotamia (22:5), hired by Balak to curse Israel. Ancient Near Eastern texts confirm the practice of hiring professional diviners to pronounce curses on enemies, making Balaam a legitimate threat requiring divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- When has your spiritual blindness made you rage at circumstances while missing God's protective intervention?
- What does Balaam's threat to kill his own donkey reveal about how anger distorts our perception of reality?
- How does God use unexpected means (even "foolish" things) to speak truth to those who refuse to listen?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because thou hast mocked me (הִתְעַלַּלְתְּ בִּי, hit'allalt bi)—Balaam accuses his donkey of making a fool of him. The Hebrew root 'alal means to deal wantonly with, to mock or abuse. The bitter irony: a prophet hired to curse Israel threatens to murder the very animal God used to save his life (v. 33). I would there were a sword in mine hand reveals Balaam's murderous rage toward a dumb beast, yet moments later the angel appears with drawn sword showing who truly deserved death.
This absurd scene—a renowned diviner arguing with livestock—exposes the prophet's spiritual blindness. The donkey saw what Balaam could not: the angel of the LORD blocking the path. God opens the mouth of an ass to rebuke a prophet's madness (2 Peter 2:16), demonstrating that He can speak truth through any means when His servants fail.