Numbers 22:22-33 Reread Through the Lens of Entangled Empathy

This paper reinterprets the story of Balaam and his talking donkey in Numbers 22:22-33 in the Old Testament through Lori Gruen's concept of entangled empathy to offer a new insight into the ethical dimensions of biblical human-animal relationships. Previous scholarship on Num 22:22-23 often focuses on its theological symbolism or literary analysis, largely neglecting the ethical implications of the narrative. Gruen's theory emphasizes attending to animals’ well-being from their perspectives and recognizing the interconnected relationships between humans and animals, along with the moral responsibilities these relationships entail. This article examines Balaam's interactions with his donkey and the angel to illustrate the process of entangled empathy in Num 22:22-23. It argues that the narrative exposes the donkey's suffering to invite readers to empathize with her and prompts a reflection on Balaam's moral error based on his relationship with the donkey.