Story Summary
Experience the miracle of Balaam’s Donkey, where a humble animal speaks to a wayward prophet. Discover how God guides his people in this classic Torah tale.
King Balak of Moab, terrified by the approaching Israelite multitude, sent for the sorcerer Balaam to place a curse upon them. Despite God’s initial warnings, Balaam’s greed eventually led him to set out on his donkey to meet the King. As they traveled, an angel of the Lord, invisible to human eyes, stood in the path with a drawn sword. The donkey, seeing the celestial sentinel, veered into a field, crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall, and finally lay down in the road. Enraged, Balaam struck the animal three times. In a miraculous turn, God opened the donkey's mouth, and she asked why she was being beaten after years of faithful service. Suddenly, Balaam’s eyes were opened; he saw the angel and fell prostrate. The angel rebuked him, explaining that the donkey had saved his life. Realizing his folly, Balaam proceeded only to speak the words God put in his mouth, ultimately blessing Israel instead of cursing them.
The Moral
The story teaches that spiritual blindness can afflict even the most learned, and that humility is often closer to divine truth than pride.
“Am I not your own donkey, which you have ridden, as you have done to this day?”
Fun Fact
This is one of only two instances in the entire Torah where an animal is recorded as speaking; the other is the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Balaam's Donkey?
The moral is that God can speak through anyone or anything, and that pride can blind even the wise to divine reality. It emphasizes that we must listen to God's will over our own desires or greed.
Why did the donkey speak to Balaam?
God opened the donkey's mouth to rebuke Balaam for his cruelty and to make him realize that the animal was reacting to a divine obstacle he could not see. It served as a wake-up call for the prophet's spiritual blindness.
Who was Balaam in the Torah?
Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet and sorcerer known for his ability to bless or curse. King Balak of Moab hired him to curse the Israelites, but Balaam ended up blessing them on God's command.
Where in the Bible is the story of Balaam's donkey?
The story is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in chapter 22. It is part of the weekly Torah portion known as Parashat Balak.
Why was the angel trying to stop Balaam?
The angel stood in the way because Balaam was traveling with the intent to harm Israel for profit, which was contrary to God's command. The angel sought to redirect Balaam's path and ensure he spoke only the words of God.
What happened to Balaam after the incident?
Balaam eventually arrived at the camps of Israel, but instead of cursing them as Balak requested, he delivered four beautiful blessings. However, later traditions suggest he eventually led Israel into sin through different means.