Numbers 22:31

31 protinus aperuit Dominus oculos Balaam et vidit angelum stantem in via evaginato gladio adoravitque eum pronus in terram

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 respondit Balaam quia commeruisti et inlusisti mihi utinam haberem gladium ut te percuterem

30 dixit asina nonne animal tuum sum cui semper sedere consuesti usque in praesentem diem dic quid simile umquam fecerim tibi at ille ait numquam

31 protinus aperuit Dominus oculos Balaam et vidit angelum stantem in via evaginato gladio adoravitque eum pronus in terram

32 cui angelus cur inquit tertio verberas asinam tuam ego veni ut adversarer tibi quia perversa est via tua mihique contraria

33 et nisi asina declinasset de via dans locum resistenti te occidissem et illa viveret