Numbers 22:34

34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned; I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. If I am wrong, I will go back."

Numbers 22:34 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:34

And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned,
&c.] That is, in beating the ass; not that he was sensible of his sin of covetousness, and of the evil disposition of his mind, and of his wicked intention in going along with the princes to curse Israel, if possible, and get Balak's presents and preferments:

for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me;
signifying, that if he had known it, he should not have smitten the ass, but submitted himself to the will of the angel:

now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again;
which he spoke very coldly and faintly, not caring heartily to go back, unless forced to it; for seeing a drawn sword in his hand, he might be afraid of his life should he persist in his journey, and therefore feigns a readiness to go back, quitting it on condition that his going forwards was displeasing; whereas he knew it was, especially his going with an evil mind to hurt Israel if possible.

Numbers 22:34 In-Context

32 The angel of the Lord asked Balaam, "Why have you hit your donkey three times? I have stood here to stop you, because what you are doing is wrong.

33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me three times. If she had not turned away, I would have killed you by now, but I would have let her live."

34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned; I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. If I am wrong, I will go back."

35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with these men, but say only what I tell you." So Balaam went with Balak's leaders.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ar in Moab, which was beside the Arnon, at the edge of his country.