The Angel's Sword Against Balaam and the Voice of Jacob

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 11:8

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 22:23:) NOW THE SHE-ASS SAW THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. But was the angel not able to breathe upon him and take out his spirit? Instead, he drew his sword! And behold, it is written concerning Sennacherib (in 2 Kings 19:35): "AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD WENT OUT AND SMOTE IN THE CAMP OF ASSYRIA…"; and it is written (in Isaiah 40:24): "HE ALSO BLOWS UPON THEM AND THEY WITHER…." Rather, he said to him: The mouth was given to Jacob, as it is said (in Genesis 27:22): "THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB, BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU"; and the nations, all of them, live by the sword. Yet you would exchange your craft and come against them with their craft. I too will come against you with your own.

Themes

AngelsWarViolencePatriarchsJacob

Biblical References

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