Strata: How Many?

How many talking animals are there in the Bible?

Answer: Two

Although there are many animals named in the Bible, only two of them speak to people. The first is in Genesis 3:1‒5, where the serpent has a conversation with Eve—while Adam was with her—in the Garden of Eden. The serpent convinces Eve to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, which had been forbidden by God, saying, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4‒5). As a result of his clever words, Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden tree and, consequently, are expelled from the garden.

The second episode is depicted in Numbers 22:28‒30. Balaam son of Beor is summoned by the king of Moab and the elders of Midian to put a curse on the Israelites. On his journey, Balaam’s donkey begins acting erratically because he sees the Angel of the Lord blocking the way, but the angel remains invisible to Balaam. Three times the donkey detours instead of walking into the angel’s drawn sword, and three times Balaam beats the donkey. After this third time, the Lord opens the mouth of the donkey. The donkey asks, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28). Balaam responds that the donkey made him look like a fool and wishes he had a sword to kill him. After their brief conversation, the Lord opens Balaam’s eyes so that he too can see the angel blocking the way.