Balaam and the Talking Ass

The words

1. Balaam

   Balaam is summoned to curse Israel; on the journey, he beats his donkey before the LORD opens the animal’s mouth to speak.

   Numbers 22:5–6 (opens a new tab) · Numbers 22:27–28 (opens a new tab)

2. Balak

   Balak, king of Moab, sends for Balaam to curse Israel, hoping to defeat the people and drive them from the land.

   Did you know?

   Micah later asks readers to remember what Balak planned and how Balaam answered him, recalling this encounter by name.

   Numbers 22:4–6 (opens a new tab) · Micah 6:5 (opens a new tab)

3. Bless

   Balak says Balaam has blessed Israel three times, although the king had called him to curse his enemies.

   Numbers 24:10 (opens a new tab)

4. Bullock

   An ox.

   Balak and Balaam offer a bullock and a ram on each altar before Balaam goes apart, hoping that the LORD will meet him.

   Numbers 23:1–4 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: bullock (opens a new tab)

5. Enchantments

   Omens, in the NET Bible’s rendering.

   Numbers says Balaam turns toward the wilderness instead of seeking enchantments as before, after seeing that the LORD is pleased to bless Israel.

   Numbers 24:1 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Numbers 24:1 (opens a new tab)

6. Parable

   A prophetic oracle, in the NET Bible’s rendering.

   The KJV calls Balaam’s formal speech a parable; he begins by recounting Balak’s summons from Aram to curse Jacob and Israel.

   Numbers 23:7 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Numbers 23:7 (opens a new tab)

7. Peor

   Balak takes Balaam to the top of Peor overlooking Jeshimon, hoping that another place will allow a curse against Israel.

   Numbers 23:27–28 (opens a new tab)

8. Pethor

   Balak’s messengers are sent to Balaam at Pethor, which Numbers locates by the river in the land of his people.

   Did you know?

   Deuteronomy later calls Balaam’s home “Pethor of Mesopotamia,” adding a regional name to Numbers’ description by the river.

   Numbers 22:5 (opens a new tab) · Deuteronomy 23:4 (opens a new tab)

9. Sceptre

   A ruler’s ceremonial staff.

   Balaam’s oracle pairs a sceptre rising from Israel with a star from Jacob, foretelling an attack on Moab.

   Did you know?

   Genesis also uses a sceptre in the blessing for Judah, before the word appears in Balaam’s oracle.

   Numbers 24:15–17 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: scepter (opens a new tab) · Genesis 49:8–10 (opens a new tab)

10. Seven Altars

    Balaam asks for seven altars, with a bullock and ram on each; this pattern of offerings is repeated at later viewpoints.

    Numbers 23:1–2 (opens a new tab) · Numbers 23:14 (opens a new tab) · Numbers 23:29–30 (opens a new tab)

11. Speak

    The angel permits Balaam to continue with the men, but tells him to speak only the words given to him.

    Did you know?

    Numbers later says the LORD puts a word in Balaam’s mouth, before sending him back to speak to Balak.

    Numbers 22:35 (opens a new tab) · Numbers 23:5 (opens a new tab)

12. Star

    The oracle says a Star will come out of Jacob, then foretells striking Moab and destroying “all the children of Sheth.”

    Numbers 24:15–17 (opens a new tab)

13. Sword

    The angel’s drawn sword blocks Balaam’s way; the angel says he would have killed Balaam if the donkey had not turned aside.

    Numbers 22:31–33 (opens a new tab)

14. Unicorn

    The KJV’s rendering of the Hebrew animal name re’em.

    Balaam’s oracle links deliverance from Egypt with strength like that of the animal the KJV calls “an unicorn.”

    Numbers 23:22 (opens a new tab) · Strong’s Hebrew: re’em (H7214) (opens a new tab)

15. Zippor

    Zippor is named as Balak’s father when Numbers introduces the Moabite king who sends messengers to Balaam.

    Numbers 22:2; Numbers 22:4–5 (opens a new tab)