Numbers 22:28 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God grants the donkey speech; she asks Balaam why he has beaten her three times.
The Context of Numbers 22:28
God opens the donkey's mouth to speak and question Balaam.
What Does Numbers 22:28 Mean?
In a moment of miracle, the donkey speaks. Her question is reasonable and pointed: she has done nothing to deserve such treatment. Her innocence and the abnormality of her speaking should arrest Balaam's rage and make him reflect.
This supernatural intervention bypasses all other means of communication. God, unable to reach Balaam through visual signs (the angel) or physical consequences (the crushed foot), now speaks through his animal. The donkey becomes God's voice.
Numbers 22:28 in the Original Language
The opening of the mouth (pātha pa, פָּתַח) is a divine act that suspends natural law to deliver an urgent message.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 22:28
What does Numbers 22:28 mean?
God grants the donkey speech; she asks Balaam why he has beaten her three times.
What is the context of Numbers 22:28?
God opens the donkey's mouth to speak and question Balaam.