This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. A Catholic friend concluded that 3 John is about the canonization of the saints. John wrote that, Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority,1 right before his command: do not imitate evil but imitate good. And then after it he wrote, Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.2 It seems natural in context to conclude that good (τὸ ἀγαθόν) refers to people: And who better than the church to decide which people are worthy of imitation (our testimony is true)?
I had already written something like this in a draft of my sermon introduction:
Beloved, John commanded the reader of his 3rd letter, do not imitate evil but imitate good.3 But who is good in dark times when an agent of the spirit of the antichrist4 stops those who want to welcome the brothers and puts them out of the church?5
The next saying of Jesus’ I plan to consider—“How does Jesus relate to ἀγαθόν?”6—begins (Matthew 19:16, 17a ESV):
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher,7 what good (ἀγαθὸν, a form of ἀγαθός) deed must I do to have8 eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good (ἀγαθοῦ, another form of ἀγαθός)?9 There is10 only one11 who is12 good (ἀγαθός).
The Greek is: Καὶ ἰδοὺ, And behold, εἷς, a man (literally, “one”), προσελθὼν13 αὐτῷ εἶπεν, came up to him, saying, διδάσκαλε, “Teacher, τί ἀγαθὸν, what good deed, ποιήσω, must I do, ἵνα σχῶ, to have, ζωὴν αἰώνιον, life eternal?” (or, “What good might I do in order that I might have life eternal?”).14 The text continues: ὁ δὲ, And he (or “But he”), εἶπεν αὐτῷ, said to him, τί, “Why, με ἐρωτᾷς, do you ask me, περὶ, about, τοῦ, what is, ἀγαθοῦ, good? εἷς, only one, ἐστιν, There is, ὁ, who is, ἀγαθός good.15
A table contrasting translations of the critical and received texts follows:
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Critical Text – Matthew 19:17a (ESV) |
Received Text – Matthew 19:17a (KJV) |
| And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. | And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: |
There is a cleaner way to translate Jesus’ answer from the critical text, which I’ll use both to highlight the contrast between critical and received texts and to introduce the actual subject I intend to pursue for some time.
Why ask me about the good? One is the good.
I’ll return to this in more detail later. Here, I want to pursue how it is that a prophet who from God exists cannot (οὐ δύναται, a form of δύναμαι) bear bad fruit.16 Moses and the Holy Spirit wrote at some length about it (Numbers 22:1, 4b-7 ESV).
Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab (Genesis 19:30-38) beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
…Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian (Exodus 2:11-15) departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message.
Balak had heard of Balaam’s fame: I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.17 He assumed Balaam’s services were for hire. But Balaam said (Numbers 22:8 ESV):
“Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
The Hebrew word translated Lord was יְהֹוָ֖ה (Yᵊhōvâ), which is corroborated by the translation Κύριος in the Septuagint. Things weren’t turning out quite the way Balak had planned (Numbers 22:12-14 ESV).
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
The Hebrew word translated God was אֱלֹהִים֙ (‘ĕlōhîm), which was translated ὁ Θεὸς in the Septuagint. The Hebrew word translated Lord was יְהֹוָ֔ה (Yᵊhōvâ), also translated ὁ Θεὸς in the Septuagint (God in English translation). The Masoretic text and Septuagint diverge here.
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Masoretic Text |
Septuagint |
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Numbers 22:13 (Tanakh) |
Numbers 22:13 (NET) |
Numbers 22:13 (NETS) |
Numbers 22:13 (English Elpenor) |
| And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak: ‘Get you into your land (אַרְצְכֶ֑ם); for HaShem (יְהֹוָ֔ה) refuseth to give me leave to go with you.’ | So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land (‘ereṣ, ארצכם), for the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יהוה) has refused to permit me to go with you.” | And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the rulers of Balak, “Run off to your master (τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν); God (ὁ θεὸς) does not permit me to go with you.” | And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balac, Depart quickly to your lord (τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν); God (ὁ Θεὸς) does not permit me to go with you. |
So אַרְצְכֶ֑ם (‘ereṣ), your land in the Masoretic text, is τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν, your master (BLB) or your lord (English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. But Balaam’s refusal didn’t deter Balak at all: Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these18 with an open-ended offer of reward.
Balak was a man of great faith, not in the Lord but in his own knowledge of men. Glenn Nicholls, a Nietzschean psychotherapist, wrote about this kind of faith:
Nietzsche’s concern was that we might forever remain tethered to the human in ourselves; that we would never become the overman. God tethers us to the human. As long as we seek gods we give away our authority and can never become who we are…
The drive or will to faith can be conscious or unconscious. We tell ourselves, ‘I found God and discovered faith’. No, faith is object seeking; if it does not find a god it will make one up.
If you are not sure if you have a god, look to see where you put your faith. You do not need to believe in a god to have one, and often those with the strongest faith are those who do not believe in one.19
In other words, their faith is part of the grammar that structures their reality, especially as it pertains to their own power (“authority”). But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more.20 In the Septuagint I could not was translated I shall not be able: οὐ δυνήσομαι, a 1st person form of δύναμαι in the future tense and indicative mood. Here, a prophet acknowledged what Jesus said about good fruit trees that cannot (οὐ δύναται, a 3rd person form of δύναμαι in the present tense and indicative mood) bear bad fruit. From Balaam’s lips, however, it sounds less definitional and more causal, actually producing the specified effect.
Still, Balaam seems all too eager to test the Lord to see if there is any possible way to acquire Balak’s house full of silver and gold (Numbers 22:19-22a ESV).
So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה, corroborated by Κύριος in the Septuagint) will say to me.” And God (‘ĕlōhîm, אֱלֹהִים, corroborated by ὁ Θεὸς in the Septuagint) came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
But God’s (ĕlōhîm, אֱלֹהִים, corroborated by ὁ Θεός in the Septuagint) anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) took his stand in the way as his adversary.
This was not the time to “obey” the Lord’s sarcasm but to hear his word.
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Masoretic Text |
Septuagint |
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Numbers 22:20b (Tanakh) |
Numbers 22:20b (NET) |
Numbers 22:20b (NETS) |
Numbers 22:20b (English Elpenor) |
| ‘If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that (אֹת֥וֹ) shalt thou do (תַֽעֲשֶֽׂה).’ | If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them, but the word that I will say to you, that (‘ēṯ, אתו) you must do (ʿāśâ, תעשׁה).” | “If these people are here to call you, rise up, and follow them, but the word that I speak to you—this (τοῦτο) you shall do (ποιήσεις).” | If these men are come to call thee, rise and follow them; nevertheless the word which I shall speak to thee, it (τοῦτο) shalt thou do (ποιήσεις). |
The clause—that (אֹת֥וֹ) shalt thou do (תַֽעֲשֶֽׂה) in the Tanakh and KJV or this (τοῦτο) you shall do (ποιήσεις) in the NETS or it (τοῦτο) shalt thou do (ποιήσεις) in the English translation of the Elpenor Septuagint—is clearly in the future tense and indicative mood (the NET translation notwithstanding21). It is a fact, a promise, a prophetic utterance. In other words, there is no possibility that Balaam will fulfill Balak’s desire to curse Israel—You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed22—to earn a house full of silver and gold: A healthy (ἀγαθὸν, a form of ἀγαθός) tree cannot bear bad fruit.23 And by going with the men, Balaam demonstrated that his lust for a house full of silver and gold was driving him on rather than his trust in the absolute word of God.
Peter summarized what happened next (2 Peter 2:15, 16 ESV).
Forsaking24 the25 right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness (παραφρονίαν, a form of παραφρονία).
Balaam couldn’t see the angel threatening him (Numbers 22:22b-27 ESV).
Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ), she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. Then the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ), she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
Balaam was so consumed by lust for a house full of silver and gold, he didn’t recognize the hand of God in the unusual behavior of his donkey. The Lord (Septuagint: God) intervened on behalf of his suffering donkey (Numbers 22:28 ESV).
Then the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: ὁ Θεὸς) opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
This reminds me of the words of John the Baptist to the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7-10 ESV):
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping26 with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good (καλὸν, a form of καλός) fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire [Table].
God demonstrated that He could have sent Balaam’s donkey to prophesy to Balak, a donkey with no desire for silver or gold whatsoever. Balaam was so consumed by lust for a house full of silver and gold, he didn’t even notice (Numbers 22:29, 30 ESV).
And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”
A talking donkey was not sufficient to reach Balaam, so the Lord (Septuagint: God) intervened again, both to spare his life and to make him understand (Numbers 22:31-34 ESV).
Then the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: ὁ Θεὸς) opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה corroborated by Κυρίου in the Septuagint) standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה corroborated by Κυρίου in the Septuagint), “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.”
This is a beautiful illustration of the Lord’s word to Israel through Ezekiel:
“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ [Table] Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? [Table]27
Then came an unexpected turn of events, which confirms for me that the issue was Balaam’s lust for a house full of silver and gold (Numbers 22:35 ESV).
And the angel of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: τοῦ Θεοῦ) said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
In the NETS translation of the Septuagint, the angel promised: the word that I say to you, this you shall take heed to speak. The Greek word translated you shall take heed was φυλάξῃ, a 2nd person singular form of φυλάσσω in the future tense, middle voice and indicative mood—a statement of fact, a promise and a prophesy. When Balak met him, Balaam was not swayed by the king’s anger, abuse or intimidation (Numbers 22:38 ESV):
Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God (‘ĕlōhîm, אֱלֹהִים corroborated by ὁ Θεὸς in the Septuagint) puts in my mouth, that must I speak.”
The last clause—that must I speak—was translated differently in the past.
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Masoretic Text |
Septuagint |
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Numbers 22:38 (Tanakh) |
Numbers 22:38 (NET) |
Numbers 22:38 (NETS) |
Numbers 22:38 (English Elpenor) |
| And Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Lo, I am come unto thee; have I now any power (אוּכַ֖ל) at all to speak any thing? the word that G-d putteth in my mouth, that (אֹת֥וֹ) shall I speak (אֲדַבֵּֽר).’ | Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you. Now, am I able (yāḵōl, אוכל) to speak just anything? I must speak (dāḇar, אדבר) only (ēṯ, אתו) the word that God puts in my mouth.” | And Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Shall I now be (ἔσομαι) able (δυνατὸς) to speak anything? The word that God puts into my mouth, this (τοῦτο) I shall speak (λαλήσω).” | And Balaam said to Balac, Behold, I am now come to thee: shall I be (ἔσομαι) able (δυνατὸς) to say anything? the word which God shall put into my mouth, that (τοῦτο) I shall speak (λαλήσω). |
In the past the last clause—that (אֹת֥וֹ) shall I speak (אֲדַבֵּֽר) in the Tanakh28 and KJV, or this (τοῦτο) I shall speak (λαλήσω) in the NETS, or that (τοῦτο) I shall speak (λαλήσω) in the English translation of the Elpenor Septuagint—was clearly understood in the future tense and indicative mood. It was a fact, a promise, a prophetic utterance ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν29 (“from God exists”) Balaam delivered to Balak, when Balak’s faith was not in the word of God but in his own knowledge of men.
Tables comparing Numbers 22:1; 22:4; 22:5; 22:6; 22:7; 22:8; 22:12; 22:13; 22:14, 22:15; 22:18; 22:19; 22:20; 22:21; 22:22; 22:23; 22:24; 22:25; 22:26; 22:27; 22:28; 22:29; 22:30; 22:31; 22:32; 22:33; 22:34; 22:35 and 22:38 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Numbers 22:1; 22:4; 22:5; 22:6; 22:7; 22:8; 22:12; 22:13; 22:14; 22:15; 22:18; 22:19; 22:20; 22:21; 22:22; 22:23; 22:24; 22:25; 22:26; 22:27; 22:28; 22:29; 22:30; 22:31; 22:32; 22:33; 22:34; 22:35 and 22:38 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Matthew 19:16, 17; 2 Peter 2:15 and Matthew 3:8 in the KJV and NET follow.
| And the children of Israel journeyed, and pitched in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. | And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. | The Israelites traveled on and camped in the rift valley plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan River across from Jericho. |
| καὶ ἀπάραντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωαβ παρὰ τὸν Ιορδάνην κατὰ Ιεριχω | ΚΑΙ ἀπάραντες οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωὰβ παρὰ τὸν ᾿Ιορδάνην κατὰ ῾Ιεριχώ |
| And the sons of Israel set out and encamped on the west of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho. | And the children of Israel departed, and encamped on the west of Moab by Jordan toward Jericho. |
| And Moab said unto the elders of Midian: ‘Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field.’ –And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.– | And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. | So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “Now this mass of people will lick up everything around us, as the bull devours the grass of the field.” Now Balak son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at this time. |
| καὶ εἶπεν Μωαβ τῇ γερουσίᾳ Μαδιαμ νῦν ἐκλείξει ἡ συναγωγὴ αὕτη πάντας τοὺς κύκλῳ ἡμῶν ὡς ἐκλείξαι ὁ μόσχος τὰ χλωρὰ ἐκ τοῦ πεδίου καὶ Βαλακ υἱὸς Σεπφωρ βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἦν κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν ἐκεῖνον | καὶ εἶπε Μωὰβ τῇ γερουσίᾳ Μαδιάμ· νῦν ἐκλείξει ἡ συναγωγὴ αὕτη πάντας τοὺς κύκλῳ ὑμῶν, ὡσεὶ ἐκλείξαι ὁ μόσχος τὰ χλωρὰ ἐκ τοῦ πεδίου. καὶ Βαλὰκ υἱὸς Σεπφὼρ βασιλεὺς Μωὰβ ἦν κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν ἐκεῖνον |
| And Moab said to the council of elders of Madiam, “Now this gathering will lick up all those around us, as the bull calf might lick up the greenery of the plain.” And Balak son of Sepphor was king of Moab at that time. | And Moab said to the elders of Madiam, Now shall this assembly lick up all that are round about us, as a calf would lick up the green [herbs] of the field:– and Balac son of Sepphor was king of Moab at that time. |
| And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to 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. | 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: | And he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River in the land of Amaw, to summon him, saying, “Look, a nation has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are settling next to me. |
| καὶ ἀπέστειλεν πρέσβεις πρὸς Βαλααμ υἱὸν Βεωρ Φαθουρα ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ γῆς υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ καλέσαι αὐτὸν λέγων ἰδοὺ λαὸς ἐξελήλυθεν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἰδοὺ κατεκάλυψεν τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος ἐγκάθηται ἐχόμενός μου | καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρέσβεις πρὸς Βαλαὰμ υἱὸν Βεὼρ Φαθουρά, ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ γῆς υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ, καλέσαι αὐτὸν λέγων· ἰδοὺ λαὸς ἐξελήλυθεν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἰδοὺ κατεκάλυψε τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος ἐγκάθηται ἐχόμενός μου· |
| And he sent ambassadors to Balaam son of Beor of Pathoura, which is on the river of the land of his people’s sons, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and behold, it has covered the sight of the earth, and it is lying in wait next to me. | And he sent ambassadors to Balaam the son of Beor, to Phathura, which is on a river of the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people is come out of Egypt, and behold it has covered the face of the earth, and it has encamped close to me. |
| Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.’ | Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. | So now, please come and curse this nation for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I will prevail so that we may conquer them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.” |
| καὶ νῦν δεῦρο ἄρασαί μοι τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ὅτι ἰσχύει οὗτος ἢ ἡμεῖς ἐὰν δυνώμεθα πατάξαι ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκβαλῶ αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς γῆς ὅτι οἶδα οὓς ἐὰν εὐλογήσῃς σύ εὐλόγηνται καὶ οὓς ἐὰν καταράσῃ σύ κεκατήρανται | καὶ νῦν δεῦρο ἄρασαί μοι τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, ὅτι ἰσχύει οὗτος ἢ ὑμεῖς· ἐὰν δυνώμεθα πατάξαι ἐξ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκβαλῶ αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς γῆς· ὅτι οἶδα οὓς ἐὰν εὐλογήσῃς σύ, εὐλόγηνται, καὶ οὓς ἐὰν καταράσῃ σύ, κεκατήρανται |
| And now come curse for me this people, since it is stronger than we are, if we may be able to strike some of them, and I will cast them out from the land. For I know that whomever you bless are blessed, and whomever you curse are cursed.” | And now come, curse me this people, for it is stronger than we; if we may be able to smite some of them, and I will cast them out of the land: for I know that whomsoever thou dost bless, they are blessed, and whomsoever thou dost curse, they are cursed. |
| And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the words of Balak. | And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. | So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fee for divination in their hands. They came to Balaam and reported to him the words of Balak. |
| καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἡ γερουσία Μωαβ καὶ ἡ γερουσία Μαδιαμ καὶ τὰ μαντεῖα ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ τὰ ῥήματα Βαλακ | καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἡ γερουσία Μωὰβ καὶ ἡ γερουσία Μαδιάμ, καὶ τὰ μαντεῖα ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλαὰμ καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ τὰ ῥήματα Βαλάκ |
| And the council of elders of Moab went, and the council of elders of Madiam,and the instruments of divination were in their hands, and they came to Balaam and said to him the words of Balak. | And the elders of Moab went, and the elders of Madiam, and their divining [instruments were] in their hands; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balac. |
| And he said unto them: ‘Lodge here this night, and I will bring you back word, as HaShem may speak unto me’; and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. | And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. | He replied to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring back to you whatever word the Lord may speak to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. |
| καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς καταλύσατε αὐτοῦ τὴν νύκτα καὶ ἀποκριθήσομαι ὑμῖν πράγματα ἃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ κύριος πρός με καὶ κατέμειναν οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωαβ παρὰ Βαλααμ | καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· καταλύσατε αὐτοῦ τὴν νύκτα, καὶ ἀποκριθήσομαι ὑμῖν πράγματα, ἃ ἂν λαλήσῃ Κύριος πρός με· καὶ κατέμειναν οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωὰβ παρὰ Βαλαάμ |
| And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will answer you matters the Lord may speak to me.” And the rulers of Moab stayed with Balaam. | And he said to them, Tarry here the night, and I will answer you the things which the Lord shall say to me; and the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. |
| And G-d said unto Balaam: ‘Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.’ | And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. | But God said to Balaam, “You must not go with them; you must not curse the people, for they are blessed.” |
| καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Βαλααμ οὐ πορεύσῃ μετ᾽ αὐτῶν οὐδὲ καταράσῃ τὸν λαόν ἔστιν γὰρ εὐλογημένος | καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Βαλαάμ· οὐ πορεύσῃ μετ’ αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ καταράσῃ τὸν λαόν· ἔστι γὰρ εὐλογημένος |
| And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them, nor shall you curse the people, for it is blessed.” | And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them, neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed. |
| And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak: ‘Get you into your land; for HaShem refuseth to give me leave to go with you.’ | And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. | So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land, for the Lord has refused to permit me to go with you.” |
| καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ τὸ πρωὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἄρχουσιν Βαλακ ἀποτρέχετε πρὸς τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν οὐκ ἀφίησίν με ὁ θεὸς πορεύεσθαι μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν | καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλαὰμ τὸ πρωΐ εἶπε τοῖς ἄρχουσι Βαλάκ· ἀποτρέχετε πρὸς τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν· οὐκ ἀφίησί με ὁ Θεὸς πορεύεσθαι μεθ’ ὑμῶν |
| And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the rulers of Balak, “Run off to your master; God does not permit me to go with you.” | And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balac, Depart quickly to your lord; God does not permit me to go with you. |
| And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said: ‘Balaam refuseth to come with us.’ | And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. | So the princes of Moab departed and went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.” |
| καὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωαβ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλακ καὶ εἶπαν οὐ θέλει Βαλααμ πορευθῆναι μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν | καὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωὰβ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλὰκ καὶ εἶπαν· οὐ θέλει Βαλαὰμ πορευθῆναι μεθ’ ἡμῶν |
| And the rulers of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam does not want to go with us.” | And the princes of Moab rose, and came to Balac, and said, Balaam will not come with us. |
| And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. | And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. | Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. |
| καὶ προσέθετο Βαλακ ἔτι ἀποστεῖλαι ἄρχοντας πλείους καὶ ἐντιμοτέρους τούτων | Καὶ προσέθετο Βαλὰκ ἔτι ἀποστεῖλαι ἄρχοντας πλείους καὶ ἐντιμοτέρους τούτων |
| And Balak added again to send rulers, more numerous and more distinguished than these. | And Balac yet again sent more princes and more honourable than they. |
| And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak: ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of HaShem my G-d, to do any thing, small or great. | And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. | Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the commandment of the Lord my God to do less or more. |
| καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἄρχουσιν Βαλακ ἐὰν δῷ μοι Βαλακ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ μου | καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Βαλαὰμ καὶ εἶπε τοῖς ἄρχουσι Βαλάκ· ἐὰν δῷ μοι Βαλὰκ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου, οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ρῆμα Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ, ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ μου |
| And Balaam answered and said to the rulers of Balak, “If Balak gives me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the Lord God to do it, whether small or great in my mind. | And Balaam answered and said to the princes of Balac, If Balac would give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord God, to make it little or great in my mind. |
| Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what HaShem will speak unto me more.’ | Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. | Now therefore, please stay the night here also, that I may know what more the Lord might say to me.” |
| καὶ νῦν ὑπομείνατε αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑμεῖς τὴν νύκτα ταύτην καὶ γνώσομαι τί προσθήσει κύριος λαλῆσαι πρός με | καὶ νῦν ὑπομείνατε αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑμεῖς τὴν νύκτα ταύτην, καὶ γνώσομαι τί προσθήσει Κύριος λαλῆσαι πρός με |
| And now remain here, you too, this night, and I will know what the Lord will add to speak to me.” | And now do ye also tarry here this night, and I shall know what the Lord will yet say to me. |
| And G-d came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him: ‘If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.’ | 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. | God came to Balaam that night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them, but the word that I will say to you, that you must do.” |
| καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Βαλααμ νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ εἰ καλέσαι σε πάρεισιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι ἀναστὰς ἀκολούθησον αὐτοῖς ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἂν λαλήσω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο ποιήσεις | καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Βαλαὰμ νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· εἰ καλέσαι σε πάρεισιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι, ἀναστὰς ἀκολούθησον αὐτοῖς· ἀλλὰ τὸ ρῆμα, ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσω πρὸς σε, τοῦτο ποιήσεις |
| And God came to Balaam by night and said to him, “If these people are here to call you, rise up, and follow them, but the word that I speak to you—this you shall do.” | And God came to Balaam by night, and said to him, If these men are come to call thee, rise and follow them; nevertheless the word which I shall speak to thee, it shalt thou do. |
| And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. | And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. | So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. |
| καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ τὸ πρωὶ ἐπέσαξεν τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύθη μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Μωαβ | καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλαὰμ τὸ πρωΐ ἐπέσαξε τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύθη μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Μωάβ |
| And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the rulers of Moab. | And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. |
| And G-d’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of HaShem placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. –Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.– | 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. | Then God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. |
| καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ὁ θεὸς ὅτι ἐπορεύθη αὐτός καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐνδιαβάλλειν αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπιβεβήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ καὶ δύο παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ | καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ὁ Θεός, ὅτι ἐπορεύθη αὐτός, καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ διαβαλεῖν αὐτόν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπιβεβήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ δύο παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετ’ αὐτοῦ |
| And God was angry with wrath, because he went, and the angel of the Lord rose up to oppose him. And he himself was sitting on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. | And God was very angry because he went; and the angel of the Lord rose up to withstand him. Now he had mounted his ass, and his two servants were with him. |
| And the ass saw the angel of HaShem standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. | And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. | And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, so the donkey turned aside from the road and went into the field. But Balaam beat the donkey, to make her turn back to the road. |
| καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν ῥομφαίαν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἡ ὄνος ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύετο εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ τοῦ εὐθῦναι αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ | καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν ρομφαίαν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἡ ὄνος ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύετο εἰς τὸ πεδίον· καὶ ἐπάταξε τὴν ὄνον ἐν τῇ ράβδῳ αὐτοῦ τοῦ εὐθῦναι αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ |
| And when the donkey saw the angel of God standing opposed in the road and the sword drawn in his hand, then the donkey turned away from the road and kept going into the plain. And he struck the donkey with his rod to direct it in the road. | And when the ass saw the angel of God standing opposite in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, then the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and [Balaam] smote the ass with his staff to direct her in the way. |
| Then the angel of HaShem stood in a hollow way between the vineyards, a fence being on this side, and a fence on that side. | But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. | Then the angel of the Lord stood in a path among the vineyards, where there was a wall on either side. |
| καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς αὔλαξιν τῶν ἀμπέλων φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν | καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς αὔλαξι τῶν ἀμπέλων, φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν |
| And the angel of God stood in the furrows of the vineyards, a fence here and a fence there. | And the angel of the Lord stood in the avenues of the vines, a fence [being] on this side and a fence on that. |
| And the ass saw the angel of HaShem, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; and he smote her again. | And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. | And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself into the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he beat her again. |
| καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ προσέθλιψεν ἑαυτὴν πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον καὶ ἀπέθλιψεν τὸν πόδα Βαλααμ καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι μαστίξαι αὐτήν | καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ Θεοῦ προσέθλιψεν ἑαυτὴν πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον καὶ ἀπέθλιψε τὸν πόδα Βαλαὰμ πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον· καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι μαστίξαι αὐτήν |
| And when the donkey saw the angel of God, it pressed itself against the wall and squeezed Balaam’s foot, and he added to whip it again. | And when the ass saw the angel of God, she thrust herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall, and he smote her again. |
| And the angel of HaShem went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. | And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. | Then the angel of the Lord went farther, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. |
| καὶ προσέθετο ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὑπέστη ἐν τόπῳ στενῷ εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἦν ἐκκλῖναι δεξιὰν οὐδὲ ἀριστεράν | καὶ προσέθετο ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὑπέστη ἐν τόπῳ στενῷ, εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἦν ἐκκλῖναι δεξιὰν ἢ ἀριστεράν |
| And the angel of God proceeded and went on and stood still in a narrow place in which it was not possible to turn right or left. | And the angel of the Lord went farther, and came and stood in a narrow place where it was impossible to turn to the right or the left. |
| And the ass saw the angel of HaShem, and she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. | And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. | When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she crouched down under Balaam. Then Balaam was angry, and he beat his donkey with a staff. |
| καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ συνεκάθισεν ὑποκάτω Βαλααμ καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλααμ καὶ ἔτυπτεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ | καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ Θεοῦ συνεκάθισεν ὑποκάτω Βαλαάμ· καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλαὰμ καὶ ἔτυπτε τὴν ὄνον τῇ ράβδῳ |
| And when the donkey saw the angel of God, it settled down under Balaam, and Balaam was angered and kept beating the donkey with the rod. | And when the ass saw the angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry, and struck the ass with his staff. |
| And HaShem 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?’ | 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? | Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?” |
| καὶ ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου καὶ λέγει τῷ Βαλααμ τί ἐποίησά σοι ὅτι πέπαικάς με τοῦτο τρίτον | καὶ ἤνοιξεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου, καὶ λέγει τῷ Βαλαάμ· τί ἐποίησά σοι ὅτι πέπαικάς με τρίτον τοῦτο |
| And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me this third time?” | And God opened the mouth of the ass, and she says to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me this third time? |
| And Balaam said unto the ass: ‘Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.’ | 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. | And Balaam said to the donkey, “You have made me look stupid; I wish there were a sword in my hand, for I would kill you right now.” |
| καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῇ ὄνῳ ὅτι ἐμπέπαιχάς μοι καὶ εἰ εἶχον μάχαιραν ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ἤδη ἂν ἐξεκέντησά σε | καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ τῇ ὄνῳ· ὅτι ἐμπέπαιχάς μοι· καὶ εἰ εἶχον μάχαιραν ἐν τῇ χειρί, ἤδη ἂν ἐξεκέντησά σε |
| And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me! And if I had a dagger in my hand, I would already have stabbed you!” | And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me; and if I [had] had a sword in my hand, I would now have killed thee. |
| And the ass said unto Balaam: ‘Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?’ And he said: ‘Nay.’ | 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. | The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey that you have ridden ever since I was yours until this day? Have I ever attempted to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.” |
| καὶ λέγει ἡ ὄνος τῷ Βαλααμ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἡ ὄνος σου ἐφ᾽ ἧς ἐπέβαινες ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας μὴ ὑπεροράσει ὑπεριδοῦσα ἐποίησά σοι οὕτως ὁ δὲ εἶπεν οὐχί | καὶ λέγει ἡ ὄνος τῷ Βαλαάμ· οὐκ ἐγὼ ἡ ὄνος σου, ἐφ’ ἧς ἐπέβαινες ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας; μὴ ὑπεροράσει ὑπεριδοῦσα ἐποίησά σοι οὕτως; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· οὐχί |
| And the donkey says to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you would ride from your youth to this very day? Disregarding with disregard—I have not done so to you, have I?” And he said, “No!” | And the ass says to Balaam, [Am] not I thine ass on which thou hast ridden since thy youth till this day? did I ever do thus to thee, utterly disregarding [thee]? and he said, No. |
| Then HaShem opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of HaShem standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. | 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. | Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; so he bowed his head and threw himself down with his face to the ground. |
| ἀπεκάλυψεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς Βαλααμ καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄγγελον κυρίου ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ κύψας προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ | ἀπεκάλυψε δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς Βαλαάμ, καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄγγελον Κυρίου ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ κύψας προσεκύνησε τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ |
| Now God uncovered the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of God standing opposed in the road and the dagger drawn in his hand, and he bowed down and did obeisance to his face. | And God opened the eyes of Balaam, and he sees the angel of the Lord withstanding [him] in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, and he stooped down and worshiped on his face. |
| And the angel of HaShem said unto him: ‘Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is contrary unto me; | And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: | The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing is perverse before me. |
| καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τί ἐπάταξας τὴν ὄνον σου τοῦτο τρίτον καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξῆλθον εἰς διαβολήν σου ὅτι οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου ἐναντίον μου | καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ· διατί ἐπάταξας τὴν ὄνον σου τοῦτο τρίτον; καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξῆλθον εἰς διαβολήν σου, ὅτι οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου ἐναντίον μου (33) καὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τρίτον τοῦτο |
| And the angel of God said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey this third time? And behold, I came out to oppose you, because your way was not pretty before me. | And the angel of God said to him, Why hast thou smitten thine ass this third time? and, behold, I came out to withstand thee, for thy way was not seemly before me; and when the ass saw me, she turned away from me this third time. |
| and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times; unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.’ | And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. | The donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. If she had not turned from me, I would have killed you but saved her alive.” |
| καὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ τρίτον τοῦτο καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐξέκλινεν νῦν οὖν σὲ μὲν ἀπέκτεινα ἐκείνην δὲ περιεποιησάμην | καὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τρίτον τοῦτο· καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐξέκλινεν, νῦν οὖν σὲ μὲν ἀπέκτεινα, ἐκείνην δ’ ἂν περιεποιησάμην |
| And when the donkey saw me, it turned away from me this third time. And if it had not turned away, now surely I would have killed you but kept it alive.” | and when the ass saw me, she turned away from me this third time. (33) And if she had not turned out of the way, surely now, I should have slain thee, and should have saved her alive. |
| And Balaam said unto the angel of HaShem: ‘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.’ | 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. | 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.” |
| καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου ἡμάρτηκα οὐ γὰρ ἠπιστάμην ὅτι σύ μοι ἀνθέστηκας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἰς συνάντησιν καὶ νῦν εἰ μή σοι ἀρέσκει ἀποστραφήσομαι | καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ Κυρίου· ἡμάρτηκα, οὐ γὰρ ἠπιστάμην ὅτι σύ μοι ἀνθέστηκας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἰς συνάντησιν· καὶ νῦν εἰ μή σοι ἀρκέσει, ἀποστραφήσομαι |
| And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not understand that you stood opposed to me on the road for a meeting. And now, if it is not pleasing to you, I will turn back.” | 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. |
| And the angel of HaShem said unto Balaam: ‘Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.’ So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. | And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. | But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you may only speak the word that I will speak to you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. |
| καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς Βαλααμ συμπορεύθητι μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων πλὴν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν εἴπω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Βαλακ | καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ πρὸς Βαλαάμ· συμπορεύθητι μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων· πλὴν τὸ ρῆμα, ὃ ἐὰν εἴπω πρὸς σε, τοῦτο φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι. καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλαὰμ μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Βαλάκ |
| And the angel of God said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but the word that I say to you, this you shall take heed to speak.” And Balaam went with the rulers of Balak. | And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men: nevertheless the word which I shall speak to thee, that thou shalt take heed to speak. And Balaam went with the princes of Balac. |
| And Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Lo, I am come unto thee; have I now any power at all to speak any thing? the word that G-d putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.’ | 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. | Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you. Now, am I able to speak just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.” |
| καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ ἰδοὺ ἥκω πρὸς σέ νῦν δυνατὸς ἔσομαι λαλῆσαί τι τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν βάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου τοῦτο λαλήσω | καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλάκ· ἰδοὺ ἥκω πρὸς σὲ νῦν· δυνατὸς ἔσομαι λαλῆσαί τι; τὸ ρῆμα, ὃ ἐὰν ἐμβάλῃ ὁ Θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, τοῦτο λαλήσω |
| And Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Shall I now be able to speak anything? The word that God puts into my mouth, this I shall speak.” | And Balaam said to Balac, Behold, I am now come to thee: shall I be able to say anything? the word which God shall put into my mouth, that I shall speak. |
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Matthew 19:16, 17 (KJV) |
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| Now someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?” | And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? |
| Καὶ ἰδοὺ εἷς προσελθὼν αὐτῷ εἶπεν· διδάσκαλε, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα σχῶ ζωὴν αἰώνιον | και ιδου εις προσελθων ειπεν αυτω διδασκαλε αγαθε τι αγαθον ποιησω ινα εχω ζωην αιωνιον | και ιδου εις προσελθων ειπεν αυτω διδασκαλε αγαθε τι αγαθον ποιησω ινα εχω ζωην αιωνιον |
| He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” | And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. |
| ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τί με ἐρωτᾷς περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ; εἷς ἐστιν ὁ ἀγαθός· εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰς τὴν ζωὴν εἰσελθεῖν, |τήρησον| τὰς ἐντολάς | ο δε ειπεν αυτω τι με λεγεις αγαθον ουδεις αγαθος ει μη εις ο θεος ει δε θελεις εισελθειν εις την ζωην τηρησον τας εντολας | ο δε ειπεν αυτω τι με λεγεις αγαθον ουδεις αγαθος ει μη εις ο θεος ει δε θελεις εισελθειν εις την ζωην τηρησον τας εντολας |
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2 Peter 2:15 (KJV) |
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| By forsaking the right path they have gone astray, because they followed the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, | 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; |
| καταλείποντες εὐθεῖαν ὁδὸν ἐπλανήθησαν, ἐξακολουθήσαντες τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ τοῦ |Βοσόρ|, ὃς μισθὸν ἀδικίας ἠγάπησεν | καταλιποντες την ευθειαν οδον επλανηθησαν εξακολουθησαντες τη οδω του βαλααμ του βοσορ ος μισθον αδικιας ηγαπησεν | καταλιποντες ευθειαν οδον επλανηθησαν εξακολουθησαντες τη οδω του βαλααμ του βοσορ ος μισθον αδικιας ηγαπησεν |
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Matthew 3:8 (KJV) |
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| Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, | Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: |
| ποιήσατε οὖν καρπὸν ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας | ποιησατε ουν καρπους αξιους της μετανοιας | ποιησατε ουν καρπον αξιον της μετανοιας |
3 3 John 1:11a (ESV)
5 3 John 1:10 (ESV)
7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the vocative adjective αγαθε (KJV: Good Master) following Teacher. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had σχῶ here, a form of ἔχω in the 2nd aorist tense, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εχω (KJV: may have) in the present tense.
9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐρωτᾷς περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λεγεις αγαθον (KJV: callest thou…good).
10 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐστιν here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.
11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ει μη (KJV: but) preceding only one (KJV: one) and ο θεος (KJV: that is, God) following. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article ὁ preceding good, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουδεις (KJV: none).
13 Here, the verbal adjective προσελθὼν, a participle of the verb προσέρχομαι in the 2nd aorist tense and nominative case, modifies εἷς (“one”). This participle is singular and masculine, rendering εἷς a man.
14 The Greek word translated must I do was ποιήσω, a form of ποιέω that might be understood in the future tense and indicative mood—shall I do (KJV)—or in the aorist tense and subjunctive mood. Since σχῶ (ESV: have) is a form of ἔχω in the 2nd aorist tense and subjunctive mood, I went with the latter option to balance the clauses: “What good might I do in order that I might have life eternal?”
15 Granted, this saying is highly disputed between critical and received texts, and I’m only quoting the critical text here. I’ll consider both in more detail in another essay.
16 Matthew 7:18 (ESV)
17 Numbers 22:6b (ESV)
18 Numbers 22:15 (ESV)
19 From ‘I am afraid we are not rid of God because we still have faith in grammar…’ by Glenn Nicholls
20 Numbers 22:18 (ESV)
21 I’m beginning to see this habit of translating the indicative mood as if it were an imperative as a symptom of, or a misguided reaction to, the people Paul prophesied about: having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5a ESV). I find myself offended this time by the pronoun its: the power of godliness is God’s power, his. But that’s not the gender in Greek: τὴν δύναμιν αὐτῆς is feminine, her power in the accusative case, the direct object of this clause. Even godliness, εὐσεβείας, is feminine. I might write it off as an anomaly of a language that assigns the wrong gender to εὐσέβεια (godliness) and δύναμις (power) or I might hear it as the word of God and understand her power: when she is inseminated by her lord, she brings forth his fruit, τόν καρπόν αὐτόν is masculine. Likewise, my brothers, Paul wrote, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit (καρποφορῆσωμεν) for God (τῷ θεῷ), in the dative case: “by means of God” (Romans 7:4 ESV). “The dative is the case of the indirect object, or may also indicate the means by which something is done.” From Noun Cases: Dative Case, GREEK NOUNS (Shorter Definitions) on Resources for Learning New Testament Greek online.
22 Numbers 22:12b (ESV)
23 Matthew 7:18a (ESV)
24 The NET parallel Greek text had καταλείποντες (NET: By forsaking) here, a participle of καταλείπω in the present tense, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had the participle καταλιπόντες (KJV: Which have forsaken) in the 2nd aorist tense.
25 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article την here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.
26 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had καρπὸν ἄξιον, a singular form of the noun καρπός followed by a singular form of the adjective ἄξιος, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the plural καρπους αξιους (KJV: fruits meet).
27 Ezekiel 33:10, 11 (ESV)
28 The Complete Jewish Bible on chabad.org renders it: that I will speak.