Numbers 22:34
New International Version
Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

New Living Translation
Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”

English Standard Version
Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

Berean Standard Bible
“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”

New American Standard Bible
So 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.”

NASB 1995
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.”

NASB 1977
And 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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

Amplified Bible
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. But now, if my going displeases You, I will turn back.”

Christian Standard Bible
Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the path to confront me. And now, if it is evil in your sight, I will go back.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the path to confront me. And now, if it is evil in Your sight, I will go back.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Balaam replied, "I was wrong. I didn't know you were trying to stop me. If you don't think I should go, I'll return home at once."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Balaam said to the Messenger of the LORD, "I've sinned. I didn't know you were standing there in the road to stop me. If you still think this trip is evil, I'll go back."

Good News Translation
Balaam replied, "I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me; but now if you think it is wrong for me to go on, I will return home."

International Standard Version
If she hadn't turned away from me, I would have killed you by now and left her alive!" At this, Balaam replied to the angel of the LORD, "I've sinned! I didn't know that you were standing to meet me on the road. So now, since it displeases you, let me go back."

Majority Standard Bible
?I have sinned,? Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, ?for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.?

NET Bible
Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will go back home."

New Heart English Bible
Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned; for I did not know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displeaseth thee, I will return again.

World English Bible
Balaam said to Yahweh’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Balaam says to the Messenger of YHWH, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You [are] standing to meet me in the way; and now, if [it is] evil in Your eyes, I turn back by myself.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Balaam saith unto the messenger of Jehovah, 'I have sinned, for I did not know that thou art standing to meet me in the way; and now, if evil in thine eyes -- I turn back by myself.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balaam will say to the messenger of Jehovah, I sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest to meet me in the way; and now if evil in thine eyes, I will turn back to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Balaam said: I have sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I go, I will return.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Balaam said: “I have sinned, not knowing that you stood against me. And now, if it displeases you for me to continue on, I will return.”

New American Bible
Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. Yet I did not know that you took up a position to oppose my journey. Since it has displeased you, I will go back home.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now therefore, if it is displeasing to you, I will return home.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I did not know that thou didst stand in the way against me; now therefore, if my mission is evil in thy eyes, I will turn back again.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaam said to the Angel of LORD JEHOVAH: “I have sinned; I did not know that you stood in front of me in the road. Now, if it is evil in your eyes, I shall return.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know that thou wert standing opposite in the way to meet me; and now if it shall not be pleasing to thee for me to go on, I will return.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Angel and Balaam's Donkey
33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.” 34“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.” 35But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.…

Cross References
2 Peter 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Acts 8:18-23
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ...

1 Corinthians 10:10-11
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. / Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.


Treasury of Scripture

And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that you stood in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease you, I will get me back again.

I Have sinned

Exodus 9:27
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Exodus 10:16,17
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you…

1 Samuel 15:24,30
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice…

if it displease thee.

Numbers 22:12
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Numbers 11:1
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

1 Chronicles 21:7
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.

I will act

Job 34:31,32
Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: …

Jump to Previous
Angel Displease Displeased Displeasing Evil Eyes Messenger Oppose Realize Road Sight Sinned Stand Standing Stood Stoodest Turn Way Wrong
Jump to Next
Angel Displease Displeased Displeasing Evil Eyes Messenger Oppose Realize Road Sight Sinned Stand Standing Stood Stoodest Turn Way Wrong
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. His second message obtains him
22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey
36. Balak entertains him














I have sinned
This phrase marks a moment of recognition and confession by Balaam. The Hebrew word for "sinned" is "חָטָאתִי" (chatati), which implies missing the mark or failing to meet a standard. In the biblical context, sin is not just a moral failing but a breach in the relationship with God. Balaam's admission is significant as it shows an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, a necessary step in repentance. This moment is a reminder of the importance of humility and the willingness to admit our faults before God.

said Balaam
Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure in the Bible. His account is a testament to God's sovereignty, as God uses even those outside of Israel to fulfill His purposes. Balaam's narrative is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of obedience to God. His acknowledgment of sin here is a pivotal moment in his story, reflecting the universal need for repentance and submission to God's will.

for I did not know
This phrase highlights Balaam's ignorance of the divine presence. The Hebrew word "יָדַעְתִּי" (yada'ti) means "to know" and often implies an intimate understanding or awareness. Balaam's lack of awareness serves as a warning about spiritual blindness and the need for discernment. It underscores the importance of being attuned to God's presence and guidance in our lives.

that You were standing in the road
The imagery of God standing in the road is powerful, symbolizing divine intervention and the blocking of Balaam's path. This intervention is a form of divine mercy, preventing Balaam from proceeding in a direction contrary to God's will. It serves as a reminder that God actively participates in our lives, guiding and redirecting us for our good and His glory.

to oppose me
The Hebrew word for "oppose" is "לְשָׂטָן" (lesatan), which can mean to act as an adversary. This is one of the few instances in the Old Testament where the term is used in this way, highlighting the seriousness of Balaam's intended actions. God's opposition is not out of malice but out of a desire to correct and protect. It is a reminder that God's discipline is an expression of His love and care for us.

Now if this is displeasing in Your sight
Balaam's willingness to turn back if his actions are displeasing shows a moment of submission to God's will. The phrase "displeasing in Your sight" reflects a concern for aligning one's actions with God's standards. It is a call for believers to seek God's approval in all things, prioritizing His desires over our own.

I will go back
This statement signifies a readiness to change direction, both literally and figuratively. The willingness to "go back" is an essential aspect of repentance, which involves turning away from sin and returning to God. Balaam's offer to return is a model of obedience and the desire to correct one's course in alignment with divine guidance. It serves as an encouragement for believers to be responsive to God's leading, even when it requires difficult changes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“I have sinned,”
חָטָ֔אתִי (ḥā·ṭā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

Balaam
בִּלְעָ֜ם (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Angel
מַלְאַ֤ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I did not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

realize
יָדַ֔עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַתָּ֛ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

were standing
נִצָּ֥ב (niṣ·ṣāḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

in the road
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ (bad·dā·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

to confront me.
לִקְרָאתִ֖י (liq·rā·ṯî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

And now,
וְעַתָּ֛ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

this is displeasing
רַ֥ע (ra‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in Your sight,
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

I will go back [home].”
אָשׁ֥וּבָה (’ā·šū·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


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OT Law: Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:33
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