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.
Balaam said to his donkey, 'You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword with me right now, I would kill you!'
Balaam is so angry and embarrassed at his donkey for refusing to move forward that he threatens to kill the animal if he had a weapon.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Numbers, Balaam was a pagan prophet hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites during their wilderness journey, as the Moabites feared the growing strength of God's people. On his way to perform this task, Balaam's donkey suddenly stopped multiple times because it saw an angel of the Lord blocking the path, which Balaam himself could not perceive, leading him to beat the animal in anger. When God miraculously enabled the donkey to speak, Balaam responded with the words in this verse, revealing his frustration and lack of spiritual awareness.
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