And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
God's anger was kindled because he went. The displeasure arose partly from his neglecting the condition on which leave was granted him-namely, to wait until the princes of Moab "came to call him," and because, through desire for "the wages of unrighteousness," he entertained the secret purpose of acting in opposition to the solemn charge of God.
For an adversary against him, х lªsaaTaan (H7854)]. This is the first occurrence of the word Satan-but as used here, in the form of a verb, it describes the attitude of the angel, who appeared to withstand Balaam in the commission of an act forbidden by God (cf. Judges 5:23; Psalms 35:5), [The Septuagint has diabalein auton-an analogous verb, whence comes diabolos (G1228).]