22:28 opened the mouth. The New Testament: “the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet” (II Peter 2:16) confirms that this was an actual miracle of God. It was not just that the ass was able physiologically to open his mouth, but that the omnipotent Lord miraculously enabled him to speak. In addition to the immediate reason–that of rebuking the prophet–this miracle perhaps is intended to give us an insight into God’s care and concern for “dumb” animals. They also are “living souls” and have “the breath of life” (Genesis 1:21; 7:22).

22:29 Balaam said. Balaam’s apparent lack of surprise at the ability of a dumb ass to speak in human words was probably due both to his direct encounter with God the previous night (Numbers 22:20) and also his unthinking rage, accompanied by physical pain, caused by the stubbornness of the animal.