Numeri 22:31

31 Allora l’Eterno aprì gli occhi a Balaam, ed egli vide l’angelo dell’Eterno che stava sulla strada, con la sua spada sguainata. Balaam s’inchinò e si prostrò con la faccia in terra.

Numeri 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.

Numeri 22:31 In-Context

29 E Balaam rispose all’asina: "Perché ti sei fatta beffe di me. Ah se avessi una spada in mano! t’ammazzerei sull’attimo".

30 L’asina disse a Balaam: "Non son io la tua asina che hai sempre cavalcata fino a quest’oggi? Sono io solita farti così?" Ed egli rispose: "No".

31 Allora l’Eterno aprì gli occhi a Balaam, ed egli vide l’angelo dell’Eterno che stava sulla strada, con la sua spada sguainata. Balaam s’inchinò e si prostrò con la faccia in terra.

32 L’angelo dell’Eterno gli disse: "Perché hai percosso la tua asina già tre volte? Ecco, io sono uscito per farti ostacolo, perché la via che batti è contraria al voler mio;

33 e l’asina m’ha visto ed è uscita di strada davanti a me queste tre volte; se non fosse uscita di strada davanti a me, certo io avrei già ucciso te e lasciato in vita lei".