AeToN, female donkey, literally means "one who walks a straight line, in alignment" It is related to:
AeTaN "natural aligned flow of water in a river" perpetual flow (Dt21:4)(Am5:24)(Ps74:15) ATaH to come / approach (be aligned with, moving along toward) (Is21:12;41:5;56:9,12)(Jr3:22)(Ps68:32)(Pr1:27)(Jb16:22;30:14;37:22)
AeT (aligned) with Nae/oT (to be aligned with) in agreement / accord
So when he saddles = binds up his AeToN; this metaphorically suggests that he is no longer in alignment with the messages coming to him from G-d - he is afterall a Prophet of haShem.
David Kolinsky, Monterey,
CA
From: Nir cohen - Prof. Mat. <nir AT ccet.ufrn.br> To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org Sent: Tue, September 25, 2012 1:45:16 PM Subject: [b-hebrew] bil'am
david,
i was unable to follow your clue and connect the root )TN to god's anger. the literal explanation is quite explicit in numbers 22:22:
“And God's anger was kindled BECAUSE HE WENT; and the angel …”(MM)
>> david kolinsky: The answer is that Bil\am saddled his donkey, AeToN – figure out the etymology for that word and you will understand why G-d became angry with him.