2 Peter 2:16
dBut was rebuked for his iniquity: ethe dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
ἔλεγξιν δὲ ἔσχεν ἰδίας παρανομίας· ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον, ἐν ἀνθρώπου φωνῇ φθεγξάμενον, ἐκώλυσε τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν.
Textual key: no entry
d:
Numbers 22:22-22:33 22. ¶And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26. And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28. And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29. And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33. And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
e:
Numbers 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
not only by the angel’s speaking to him, but by the ass’s, as follows.
not in express words, that we read of, but the ass’s speaking with human voice, discerning the angel before Balaam did, and going back, when he, carried out by the power of his covetousness, would needs go forward, were so prodigious things as might sufficiently convince him of his sin, in going to Balak contrary to God’s command at first given; and it was no small dishonour put upon him, that he who would not hearken to God, should have an ass for his teacher.
in going against God’s command, and to curse those who, God had told him, were blessed.
Balaam had leave given him to go with Balak’s messengers, Num 22:20, and refused Balak’s offers, 2Pe 2:18.
Answer.
1. Balaam did not contemn the gifts offered, but had a desire after them, as appears by his inquiring of God the second time, 2Pe 2:19, though God had fully revealed his will to him before, 2Pe 2:12.
2. God bade him go that he might bless the people, 2Pe 2:12, compared with 2Pe 2:20, whereas he went not out of a respect to God’s answer, but out of a covetous mind, and a desire to curse Israel, as appears by Jos 24:9,10, and by the cursed counsel he gave, Num 25:1, compared with Num 31:16, and Rev 2:14.
Balaam is called a prophet here, either:
1. Because he pretended to be so: thus the false prophets are sometimes called absolutely prophets, Jer 6:13 26:7,8,11. Or:
2. Because he really was a prophet, though a wicked and covetous one; for he inquired of God, and had answers from him, Num 6:22 8:9,10,18,19; and Moses says expressly, that the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth, Num 23:5,16; and that prophecy concerning the Messiah, Num 24:17, could not but be of God, yet it is probable that Balaam, out of covetousness, might sometimes use divination, nay, it is plain in some cases he did, Num 24:1.