Numbers 22:32 - Divine intervention blocks Balaam's path

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Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה עַל־מָה הִכִּיתָ אֶת־אֲתֹנְךָ זֶה שָׁלוֹשׁ רְגָלִים הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יָצָאתִי לְשָׂטָן כִּי־יָרַט הַדֶּרֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּי׃

English Translation

And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why hast thou struck thy ass these three times? behold, I went out to waylay thee, because thy path is perverse before me:

Transliteration

Vayomer elav malach Adonai al-ma hikita et-atoncha zeh shalosh regalim hineh anochi yatzati l'satan ki-yarat haderech l'negdi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־מָ֗ה הִכִּ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־אֲתֹ֣נְךָ֔ זֶ֖ה שָׁל֣וֹשׁ רְגָלִ֑ים הִנֵּ֤ה אָנֹכִי֙ יָצָ֣אתִי לְשָׂטָ֔ן כִּֽי־יָרַ֥ט הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 22:32) occurs during the episode of Bilam and his donkey, where the angel of Hashem confronts Bilam after he strikes his donkey three times. The donkey had seen the angel blocking the path, but Bilam could not perceive it until his eyes were opened.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the angel's question, "Why hast thou struck thy ass these three times?", is meant to highlight Bilam's cruelty. The angel emphasizes that the donkey was innocent and had acted correctly by avoiding the angel's sword. Rashi further notes that the phrase "הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יָצָאתִי לְשָׂטָן" ("behold, I went out to waylay thee") means the angel was sent to oppose Bilam's evil intentions to curse the Jewish people.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) uses this episode to illustrate divine providence. He explains that Hashem intervenes in human affairs to prevent wrongdoing, as seen here where the angel obstructs Bilam's path to stop him from cursing Bnei Yisrael.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) elaborates that the three times Bilam struck the donkey correspond to three future instances where Bilam's plans against the Jewish people would be thwarted:

His attempt to curse them in the desert.
His advice to Balak to entice them with the daughters of Moav.
His eventual death at the hands of Bnei Yisrael.

Meaning of "כִּי־יָרַט הַדֶּרֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּי"

Ibn Ezra interprets "כִּי־יָרַט הַדֶּרֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּי" ("because thy path is perverse before me") as indicating that Bilam's intentions were corrupt in Hashem's eyes. The angel was sent to correct his misguided path, both literally and spiritually.

Moral Lesson

The Sforno teaches that this episode demonstrates how even a wicked prophet like Bilam could not act against Hashem's will. The donkey, a simple animal, perceived the angel before Bilam, teaching humility and the importance of recognizing divine intervention in our lives.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105b

The verse is referenced in the discussion about Balaam and his donkey, illustrating the divine intervention and the moral lesson regarding Balaam's actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the angel ask Balaam why he hit his donkey?
A: The angel was pointing out that Balaam's actions were unjustified. According to Rashi, the donkey was actually trying to save Balaam by avoiding the angel, but Balaam couldn't see the angel and became angry. This teaches us that sometimes what seems like an obstacle may actually be for our benefit.

Q: What does 'I went out to waylay thee' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase means the angel was sent as an adversary to block Balaam's path because his intentions were improper. As Rambam explains, Balaam was going against God's will by seeking to curse the Jewish people, so the angel was sent to prevent this wrongdoing.

Q: Why does the verse mention 'three times' specifically?
A: The three times correspond to Balaam's three attempts to curse the Jewish people (Numbers 22-24). The Midrash teaches that this shows God gave Balaam multiple chances to reconsider his actions, just as the donkey tried to stop him three times before speaking.

Q: What lesson can we learn from the talking donkey in this story?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 4b) explains that the miracle of the talking donkey teaches us that nothing - not even an animal - acts without Divine Providence. If God made a donkey speak to correct a wrong, how much more should we pay attention when people correct us.

Q: How does this verse show God's protection of the Jewish people?
A: As the Sforno explains, this entire episode demonstrates how God actively intervenes to protect Israel. Even when a powerful prophet like Balaam tried to curse them, God placed obstacles in his path and ultimately turned his curses into blessings, showing His eternal covenant with the Jewish nation.