Numbers 22:31

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.

Numbers 22:31 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:31

Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam
Who either was struck with blindness, as the men of Sodom were, so some think, or rather his eyes were held, that he could not see the angel; he could see other objects, as his ass, but he could not see that; as Elisha's servant could see the host that compassed the city, but not the chariots and horses of fire about Elisha, till his eyes were opened, ( 2 Kings 6:15 2 Kings 6:17 ) and so it was with Balaam until the Lord uncovered his eyes, or rolled away the vail over them, or took that off which by his power and providence hindered his sight:

and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword
drawn in his hand;
in the same position as in ( Numbers 22:23 )

and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face;
from off his ass upon the ground, in reverence of the illustrious object before him, and through fear of being slain by his sword in his hand.

Numbers 22:31 In-Context

29 “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”

30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.

32 “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.

33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”