16:15 Moses was very angry, and he said to the Lord, “Have no respect 1 for their offering! I have not taken so much as one donkey from them, nor have I harmed any one of them!”
22:22 Then God’s anger was kindled 2 because he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose 3 him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.
1 tn The verb means “to turn toward”; it is a figurative expression that means “to pay attention to” or “to have regard for.” So this is a prayer against Dathan and Abiram.
2 sn God’s anger now seems to contradict the permission he gave Balaam just before this. Some commentators argue that God’s anger is a response to Balaam’s character in setting out – which the Bible does not explain. God saw in him greed and pleasure for the riches, which is why he was so willing to go.
3 tn The word is שָׂטָן (satan, “to be an adversary, to oppose”).
4 tn Heb “he added to beat her,” another verbal hendiadys.
5 tn Heb “your way.”
6 tn The verb יָרַט (yarat) occurs only here and in Job 16:11. Balaam is embarking on a foolish mission with base motives. The old rendering “perverse” is still acceptable.