Numbers 22:32

22:32 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 ¹  is perverse before me. ² 

Numbers 24:10

24:10 Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. ³  Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless ⁴  them these three times!

[22:32]  ¹ tn Heb “your way.”

[22:32]  ² 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.

[24:10]  ³ sn This is apparently a sign of contempt or derision (see Job 27:23; and Lam 2:15).

[24:10]  ⁴ tn The construction is emphatic, using the infinitive absolute with the perfect tense for “bless.”