22:22 Then God’s anger was kindled 1 because he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose 2 him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.
1 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.
2 tn The word is שָׂטָן (satan, “to be an adversary, to oppose”).
3 tn Heb “your way.”
4 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.