22:22 because he went. In light of God’s earlier permission to travel (v. 20), the Lord’s response is perhaps surprising. The narrative as a whole indicates, however, that Balaam’s trip was perversely motivated and that he certainly hoped to curse Israel (v. 32). God used this confrontation between Balaam and the angel of the Lord to underscore His command to say nothing except what He might direct (v. 35).

the angel of the Lord. See note Gen. 16:7; “Angels” at Zech. 1:9.