Numbers 22 explained: A King, a Seer and a Donkey

Moab panics (vv. 1-4)

Israel now camps on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, near the end of the long journey from Egypt. King Balak of Moab saw Israel defeat the Amorites and, alarmed by their numbers, joined with the neighboring Midianites, though elsewhere the Bible says Israel had been told not to attack Moab.

Sending for a curser (vv. 5-7)

Balak sends payment to Balaam, a famous seer from Pethor near the Euphrates River, far to the northeast. Many people then believed a skilled curser could turn unseen powers against an enemy army before a battle.

God says no (vv. 8-14)

Balaam asks the LORD overnight, and God forbids him to go or to curse Israel, simply because they are blessed; some readers connect this with God's earlier promise to bless Abraham's family. Balaam tells the messengers only that he is not allowed to come, not why, which many take as a sign he wanted to go.

A bigger offer (vv. 15-20)

Balak sends grander officials promising great rewards, and Balaam says no amount of silver and gold could make him go beyond the LORD's word. Yet he asks again, and this time God lets him go, as long as he does only what God tells him.

The donkey sees first (vv. 21-35)

God's anger right after giving permission is puzzling: many think it targets Balaam's hidden hunger for the reward, while some scholars think two versions of the story were woven together. The irony is sharp, since a famous seer cannot see the armed angel his donkey sees three times, until the donkey speaks and Balaam's eyes are opened.

Balak's welcome (vv. 36-41)

Balak meets Balaam at his border as a mark of honor, and Balaam warns him he can speak only what God puts in his mouth. Balak then holds a feast of sacrificed animals, and the next morning takes him up to Bamoth Baal, hilltop shrines linked to the god Baal, where they can see the edge of Israel's camp.

Key verse: Numbers 22:12

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether Balaam was a genuine prophet of God led astray by money or a pagan diviner whom God used in spite of himself.

Something to think about

Balaam reopens a question he has already been given an answer to once the reward gets bigger; what makes a person keep asking about something they already know the answer to?