And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

NUMBERS 22:29KJV
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Numbers 22:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:29 mean?

Numbers 22:29 shows Balaam answering his donkey’s complaint with anger rather than reflection. He believes the animal has made a fool of him, and he says that if he had a sword, he would kill her.

Balaam speaks directly to the donkey after she asks why he has beaten her. His imagined sword brings out the force of his anger: he pictures himself doing more than beating her.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:29

  • “mocked” — עָלַל (ʿalal): The word can carry the sense of treating someone severely or making a fool of them. Here, Balaam sees the donkey’s actions as an insult to himself.
  • “would” — לוּ (lu): This word expresses a wish. Balaam’s words about a sword describe something he wants to have, not something he is holding.

Why Numbers 22:29 matters

  • Balaam’s accusation puts him at the center of the dispute. He says the donkey has “mocked me,” even though the animal has asked about being beaten.
  • The reader knows more than Balaam does at this point. Earlier in the passage, the donkey sees the angel blocking the road, while Balaam does not (Numbers 22:23–27).
  • The threat sharpens the contrast between Balaam’s view and the donkey’s behavior. The donkey has been turning away from danger, yet Balaam treats her actions as a reason to kill her.

Where else these words appear

“mocked” Hebrew H5953 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
  • Jeremiah 6:9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.

“would” Hebrew H3863 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
  • Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
  • Job 6:2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

“ass” Hebrew H860 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 22:28 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?
  • 1 Samuel 10:14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

“Balaam” Hebrew H1109 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
  • Numbers 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, 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 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.