Then Yahweh’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
Parallel translations
- KJV 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.
- BSB Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between two vineyards, with walls on either side.
- NKJV Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
- NASB Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a stone wall on this side and on that side.
- NLT Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The angel next stands in a narrow path between vineyard walls. The way of escape grows steadily more confined.
Overview
The progressively narrowing path mirrors how God closes off Balaam's options. Each stage increases the pressure and the stakes. The scene builds toward the moment when Balaam can no longer avoid confronting the God who opposes his errand.
Cross-references & the web
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Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 22:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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