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In Numbers 22:28 did Balaam's donkey actually talk?
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We know there is nothing impossible for God to do. But it seems there is something figurative about Numbers 22:28 when it says the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.
Then the Lord 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?â€Â
(ESV)
Did the donkey talk plainly or something? If it was so, then why is the Bible silent about other instances of animals that talked before and after the case of Balaam?
numbers hebrew-bible
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
We know there is nothing impossible for God to do. But it seems there is something figurative about Numbers 22:28 when it says the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.
Then the Lord 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?â€Â
(ESV)
Did the donkey talk plainly or something? If it was so, then why is the Bible silent about other instances of animals that talked before and after the case of Balaam?
numbers hebrew-bible
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
We know there is nothing impossible for God to do. But it seems there is something figurative about Numbers 22:28 when it says the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.
Then the Lord 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?â€Â
(ESV)
Did the donkey talk plainly or something? If it was so, then why is the Bible silent about other instances of animals that talked before and after the case of Balaam?
numbers hebrew-bible
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
We know there is nothing impossible for God to do. But it seems there is something figurative about Numbers 22:28 when it says the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.
Then the Lord 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?â€Â
(ESV)
Did the donkey talk plainly or something? If it was so, then why is the Bible silent about other instances of animals that talked before and after the case of Balaam?
numbers hebrew-bible
numbers hebrew-bible
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
edited 20 mins ago
Ruminator
2,0831632
2,0831632
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
asked 3 hours ago
Ernest Abinokhauno
505
505
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Curious, I went looking for an answer, and I found an article (link given below) which drew this conclusion:
There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke†to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech†and who “spoke with a man’s voice†(2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-donkey.html
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
We are meant to smile (wryly) when we read the account of Balaam's donkey in Numbers chapter 22. If we understood the literature of that era, we would grasp the irony.
Balaam was a professional seer - that was how he earned his living, by telling kings and people high up in authority what God was saying about their plans. The king, Balak, promised to pay him a lot of money if he would curse the nation of Israel. But Balaam (initially) refused to do that because God told him that Israel was blessed by him, not cursed. However, he agreed to go to the King of Moab as God told him to do that. Then followed the account of his donkey seeing the angel of the Lord with his drawn sword blocking the narrow road and three times refusing to move forward. Balaam beat the poor beast three times, at which point "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak, 'What have I done to you that deserves you beating me three times?'" (vs 28)
Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with drawn sword. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me."
This passage is clearly making fun of this professional seer, who could not see what his donkey saw! The spiritual insights of this man were clearly not equal to that of his donkey! Even this beast of burden was quicker to respect God than he was!
Given how Balaam later went on to trick Israel into gross misconduct that brought God's wrath upon the nation, it's clear that Balaam resented having had to bless Israel three times, and that was how he got his own back. But God had the last word. Israel killed Balaam and his reputation was that of a magician with bad motives; a false teacher, only interested in pay.
Oh, and recently an inscription has been found that mentions Balaam son of Beor; a diviner who had visions at night. The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir 'Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, and not far north of where the Hebrews were camped at the time of the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text is dated 850-650 BC. The text calls Balaam "a seer of the gods" and reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription are similar to 'Shaddai' (the name of the Almighty) delivered a message to Balaam and announced judgement upon the world. So Balaam really lived and was this person detailed in the Bible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Alla_Inscription
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Curious, I went looking for an answer, and I found an article (link given below) which drew this conclusion:
There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke†to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech†and who “spoke with a man’s voice†(2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-donkey.html
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Curious, I went looking for an answer, and I found an article (link given below) which drew this conclusion:
There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke†to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech†and who “spoke with a man’s voice†(2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-donkey.html
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Curious, I went looking for an answer, and I found an article (link given below) which drew this conclusion:
There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke†to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech†and who “spoke with a man’s voice†(2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-donkey.html
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
Curious, I went looking for an answer, and I found an article (link given below) which drew this conclusion:
There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke†to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech†and who “spoke with a man’s voice†(2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-donkey.html
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
answered 3 hours ago
Lesley
6669
6669
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
We are meant to smile (wryly) when we read the account of Balaam's donkey in Numbers chapter 22. If we understood the literature of that era, we would grasp the irony.
Balaam was a professional seer - that was how he earned his living, by telling kings and people high up in authority what God was saying about their plans. The king, Balak, promised to pay him a lot of money if he would curse the nation of Israel. But Balaam (initially) refused to do that because God told him that Israel was blessed by him, not cursed. However, he agreed to go to the King of Moab as God told him to do that. Then followed the account of his donkey seeing the angel of the Lord with his drawn sword blocking the narrow road and three times refusing to move forward. Balaam beat the poor beast three times, at which point "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak, 'What have I done to you that deserves you beating me three times?'" (vs 28)
Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with drawn sword. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me."
This passage is clearly making fun of this professional seer, who could not see what his donkey saw! The spiritual insights of this man were clearly not equal to that of his donkey! Even this beast of burden was quicker to respect God than he was!
Given how Balaam later went on to trick Israel into gross misconduct that brought God's wrath upon the nation, it's clear that Balaam resented having had to bless Israel three times, and that was how he got his own back. But God had the last word. Israel killed Balaam and his reputation was that of a magician with bad motives; a false teacher, only interested in pay.
Oh, and recently an inscription has been found that mentions Balaam son of Beor; a diviner who had visions at night. The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir 'Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, and not far north of where the Hebrews were camped at the time of the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text is dated 850-650 BC. The text calls Balaam "a seer of the gods" and reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription are similar to 'Shaddai' (the name of the Almighty) delivered a message to Balaam and announced judgement upon the world. So Balaam really lived and was this person detailed in the Bible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Alla_Inscription
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
We are meant to smile (wryly) when we read the account of Balaam's donkey in Numbers chapter 22. If we understood the literature of that era, we would grasp the irony.
Balaam was a professional seer - that was how he earned his living, by telling kings and people high up in authority what God was saying about their plans. The king, Balak, promised to pay him a lot of money if he would curse the nation of Israel. But Balaam (initially) refused to do that because God told him that Israel was blessed by him, not cursed. However, he agreed to go to the King of Moab as God told him to do that. Then followed the account of his donkey seeing the angel of the Lord with his drawn sword blocking the narrow road and three times refusing to move forward. Balaam beat the poor beast three times, at which point "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak, 'What have I done to you that deserves you beating me three times?'" (vs 28)
Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with drawn sword. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me."
This passage is clearly making fun of this professional seer, who could not see what his donkey saw! The spiritual insights of this man were clearly not equal to that of his donkey! Even this beast of burden was quicker to respect God than he was!
Given how Balaam later went on to trick Israel into gross misconduct that brought God's wrath upon the nation, it's clear that Balaam resented having had to bless Israel three times, and that was how he got his own back. But God had the last word. Israel killed Balaam and his reputation was that of a magician with bad motives; a false teacher, only interested in pay.
Oh, and recently an inscription has been found that mentions Balaam son of Beor; a diviner who had visions at night. The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir 'Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, and not far north of where the Hebrews were camped at the time of the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text is dated 850-650 BC. The text calls Balaam "a seer of the gods" and reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription are similar to 'Shaddai' (the name of the Almighty) delivered a message to Balaam and announced judgement upon the world. So Balaam really lived and was this person detailed in the Bible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Alla_Inscription
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
We are meant to smile (wryly) when we read the account of Balaam's donkey in Numbers chapter 22. If we understood the literature of that era, we would grasp the irony.
Balaam was a professional seer - that was how he earned his living, by telling kings and people high up in authority what God was saying about their plans. The king, Balak, promised to pay him a lot of money if he would curse the nation of Israel. But Balaam (initially) refused to do that because God told him that Israel was blessed by him, not cursed. However, he agreed to go to the King of Moab as God told him to do that. Then followed the account of his donkey seeing the angel of the Lord with his drawn sword blocking the narrow road and three times refusing to move forward. Balaam beat the poor beast three times, at which point "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak, 'What have I done to you that deserves you beating me three times?'" (vs 28)
Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with drawn sword. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me."
This passage is clearly making fun of this professional seer, who could not see what his donkey saw! The spiritual insights of this man were clearly not equal to that of his donkey! Even this beast of burden was quicker to respect God than he was!
Given how Balaam later went on to trick Israel into gross misconduct that brought God's wrath upon the nation, it's clear that Balaam resented having had to bless Israel three times, and that was how he got his own back. But God had the last word. Israel killed Balaam and his reputation was that of a magician with bad motives; a false teacher, only interested in pay.
Oh, and recently an inscription has been found that mentions Balaam son of Beor; a diviner who had visions at night. The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir 'Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, and not far north of where the Hebrews were camped at the time of the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text is dated 850-650 BC. The text calls Balaam "a seer of the gods" and reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription are similar to 'Shaddai' (the name of the Almighty) delivered a message to Balaam and announced judgement upon the world. So Balaam really lived and was this person detailed in the Bible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Alla_Inscription
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
We are meant to smile (wryly) when we read the account of Balaam's donkey in Numbers chapter 22. If we understood the literature of that era, we would grasp the irony.
Balaam was a professional seer - that was how he earned his living, by telling kings and people high up in authority what God was saying about their plans. The king, Balak, promised to pay him a lot of money if he would curse the nation of Israel. But Balaam (initially) refused to do that because God told him that Israel was blessed by him, not cursed. However, he agreed to go to the King of Moab as God told him to do that. Then followed the account of his donkey seeing the angel of the Lord with his drawn sword blocking the narrow road and three times refusing to move forward. Balaam beat the poor beast three times, at which point "the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak, 'What have I done to you that deserves you beating me three times?'" (vs 28)
Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with drawn sword. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me."
This passage is clearly making fun of this professional seer, who could not see what his donkey saw! The spiritual insights of this man were clearly not equal to that of his donkey! Even this beast of burden was quicker to respect God than he was!
Given how Balaam later went on to trick Israel into gross misconduct that brought God's wrath upon the nation, it's clear that Balaam resented having had to bless Israel three times, and that was how he got his own back. But God had the last word. Israel killed Balaam and his reputation was that of a magician with bad motives; a false teacher, only interested in pay.
Oh, and recently an inscription has been found that mentions Balaam son of Beor; a diviner who had visions at night. The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir 'Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, and not far north of where the Hebrews were camped at the time of the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text is dated 850-650 BC. The text calls Balaam "a seer of the gods" and reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription are similar to 'Shaddai' (the name of the Almighty) delivered a message to Balaam and announced judgement upon the world. So Balaam really lived and was this person detailed in the Bible.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Alla_Inscription
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
answered 1 hour ago
Anne
3169
3169
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
add a comment |Â
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
This is a very interesting question with good information. However, the question was who did the talking, God or the beast and I don't see the answer to that question. Please address that question. Thanks. +1
– Ruminator
1 hour ago
1
1
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
The link with the Deir `Alla inscription is controversial, your answer should reflect that (besides, as Ruminator says, that it should answer the question). The dating you give is rather wide, a date after say 750BCE is unlikely.
– Keelan
51 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Ernest Abinokhauno is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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