Numbers 22:27

27 And when the ass saw the angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry, and struck the ass with his staff.

Numbers 22:27 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:27

And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord
The third time; for it seems that he was not always in sight, but disappeared as he removed from place to place, and at every new place where he stood the ass saw him, though her master did not:

she fell down under Balaam;
upon her knees on the ground, not being able to go backwards nor forwards, nor to turn out of the way to the right or left:

and Balaam's anger was kindled;
he was displeased and out of humour before, when it turned into the field, and when it squeezed his foot against the wall, and therefore he smote it; but now falling down with him, he was in a fume and fury, quite enraged:

and he smote the ass with a staff;
which he rode with, perhaps his divining staff, see ( Hosea 4:12 ) , it is not said what he smote it with before but probably with the same: Aben Ezra says, at the first and second time he smote it with a small stick, or with a thong.

Numbers 22:27 In-Context

25 And when the ass saw the angel of God, she thrust herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall, and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the Lord went farther, and came and stood in a narrow place where it was impossible to turn to the right or the left.

27 And when the ass saw the angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry, and struck the ass with his staff.

28 And God opened the mouth of the ass, and she says to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me this third time?

29 And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me; and if I had a sword in my hand, I would now have killed thee.

Footnotes

• [a]. sat down.