These verses were not included in the earlier article titled TNK “ha Satan” vs. NT “Devil” because the use of the adversarial role of a “Malak” or angel is different in the story of Balaam.
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In the book of Numbers, the gentile prophet Balaam is summoned by the king of Moab, Balak, so that he could curse the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness of Sinai. The newly liberated slaves, because of their sheer numbers, met opposition from groups that felt threatened by the great mass of people who might use up their desert resources. Balak sought the help of Balaam, for a fee of course!
Please read Numbers 22-23 for the full story and notice the following:
- The God of Israel communicated not only with Israel’s prophets, but with gentile prophets as well, like Balaam. Surprise?
- The adversary here is just another malak or angel, whose assignment from God is to impede, oppose, be contrary toward Balaam as he journeys to see Balak.
- This adversary here or ha satan is not to be mistaken for the “devil” as characterized by Christianity.
- By the way where does the word “devil” come from? According to etymologists, the most common English synonym for “Satan” is “Devil” which comes from Middle English devel, and from Old English deofol, borrowed from Latin diabolus, which was borrowed from Greek diabolos. What does it mean? “Slanderer”.
- For a gentile prophet, Balaam perfectly describes the role Israel would play then and in the future: Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude and not to be reckoned among the nations.
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Translations: [AST] ArtScroll Tanach, The Stone Edition; [EF] Everett Fox, The Five Books of Moses
[NASB] New American Standard Bible.
[AST] Numbers 22:21,22 – Balaam arose in the morning and saddled his she-donkey and went with the officers of Moab. God’s wrath flared because he was going, and an angel of HASHEM stood on the road to impede him. He was riding on his she-donkey and his two young men were with him.
[EF] Bil’am arose at daybreak,
he saddled his she-ass,
and went with the nobles of Moav.
But YHWH’s anger flared up because he was going,
so YHWH’s messenger stationed himself in the way as an adversary to him,
while he was riding on his she-ass, his two serving-lads with him.
[NASB] So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.
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[AST] Number 22:31,32 – Then HASHEM uncovered Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel of HASHEM standing on the road with his sword drawn in his hand. He bowed his head and prostrated himself on his face. The angel of HASHEM said to him, “For what reason did you strike your she-donkey these three times? Behold! I went out to impede, for you hastened on a road to oppose me.
[EF] Then YHWH uncovered Bil’am’s eyes
and he saw YHWH’s messenger stationed in the way,
his sword drawn in his hand;
he bowed and prostrated himself, to his brow.
YHWH’s messenger said to him:
For what (cause) did you strike your she-ass (on) these three occasions?
Here I came out as an adversary,
for the way was rushed out against me.
[NASB] Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand ; and he bowed all the way to the ground. The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times ? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.
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[AST] Numbers 22: 34 – Balaam said to the angel of HASHEM, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing opposite me on the road. And now, if it is evil in your eyes, I shall return.”
[EF] Bilam said to YHWH’s messenger:
I have sinned,
for I did not know that you were stationed to meet me in the way.
But now, if it is ill in your eyes,
I will head back.
[NASB] – Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.”
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