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Numbers 22:34

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 22:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
Numbers 22:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
32And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me:
33and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.
34And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.
37And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
← Numbers 22:33Numbers 22:35 →
← Full Chapter 22 Numbers Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, etc.] That is, in beating the ass; not that he was sensible of his sin of covetousness, and of the evil disposition of his mind, and of his wicked intention in going along with the princes to curse Israel, if possible, and get Balak’s presents and preferments: for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me; signifying, that if he had known it, he should not have smitten the ass, but submitted himself to the will of the angel: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again; which he spoke very coldly and faintly, not caring heartily to go back, unless forced to it; for seeing a drawn sword in his hand, he might…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I have sinned . . . if it displease thee, I will get me back again--Notwithstanding this confession, he evinced no spirit of penitence, as he speaks of desisting only from the outward act. The words "go with the men" was a mere withdrawal of further restraint, but the terms in which leave was given are more absolute and peremptory than those in Num 22:20.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:34 I have sinned: Balaam admitted his mistake in not perceiving the angel of the Lord or his intention and offered to go back.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I Have sinned: Exo 9:27, Exo 10:16, Exo 10:17; Sa1 15:24, Sa1 15:30, Sa1 24:17, Sa1 26:21; Sa2 12:13; Job 34:31, Job 34:32; Psa 78:34; Mat 27:4, Mat 27:5 if it displease thee: Heb. be evil in thine eyes, Num 22:12, Num 11:1; Ch1 21:7; Pro 24:18 \*marg. I will get: Job 34:31, Job 34:32 Numbers 22:35”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification