Did a Donkey Really Speak in the Bible? Balaam's Story in Numbers 22

Yes. Numbers 22 says that "the LORD opened the mouth of the ass," and the donkey spoke to the prophet Balaam. Balaam was on his way to curse Israel for money when an angel stood in the road. The donkey saw the angel and turned aside; Balaam saw nothing and beat her three times. The New Testament refers to the event as fact. The story's sharp point is that a man paid to see spiritual things was blinder than the animal he was riding.

Here is what happened, and what it teaches.

The Hired Prophet

As Israel camped near Moab, King Balak was afraid. He sent money to Balaam, a famous seer, to curse them. God first told Balaam not to go, then gave him conditional permission:

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Numbers 22:20 (KJV)

Yet the next lines say:

And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

Numbers 22:22 (KJV)

This seems strange until we read Peter's comment that Balaam "loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15). He had permission, but his heart was set on the money.

Three Times on the Road

The angel stood in the road with a drawn sword. The donkey saw him and turned into a field, and Balaam hit her. Next, in a narrow path between walls, she pressed against the wall and crushed his foot, and he hit her again. Finally, where there was no room to turn, she lay down under him, and he beat her with his staff. Then came the moment the story is known for:

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?

Numbers 22:28 (KJV)

What is remarkable is that Balaam simply argues back, as if a talking donkey were nothing unusual. He says he would kill her if he had a sword. She answers:

And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

Numbers 22:30 (KJV)

The Prophet's Eyes Are Opened

Only then does Balaam see what his donkey has seen all along:

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

Numbers 22:31 (KJV)

The Lord opened the donkey's mouth, then the prophet's eyes. The angel tells him that the donkey saved his life (Numbers 22:33). Some readers think this angel was a preincarnate appearance of Christ; see the angel who blocked Balaam's donkey.

Did It Really Happen?

Numbers tells it as an event, and Peter treats it the same way:

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

2 Peter 2:15–16 (KJV)

Some readers take the episode as a vision or a story with a lesson. Either way, the Bible's own explanation is short: the LORD opened her mouth. The donkey did not gain reason; God used her to speak.

What Happened Next

Balaam told Balak plainly what he had learned:

And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Numbers 22:38 (KJV)

Three times he tried to curse Israel, and three times blessing came out, including a prophecy of "a Star out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17). Sadly, his story did not end well. He later advised Moab how to lead Israel into sin (Numbers 31:16), and he died in battle against Israel (Numbers 31:8).

What the Story Teaches

• Spiritual gifts are no proof of a good heart. Balaam heard from God, and still loved money more.
• God cannot be bought. No curse can stand against those God has blessed.
• God uses whatever he chooses. If he can speak through a donkey, he can speak through anyone.
• We can be the last to see what is obvious. Sometimes the thing blocking our way is God's mercy.

The story is funny on purpose, and the joke is on the expert. It is a warning for anyone who is sure they can see.