Landscape with Balaam and the Ass

The heathen prophet Balaam's she-ass refuses to walk any further because an angel blocks the road. Balaam does not see the angel and strikes the ass. After a third thrashing the god of the Hebrews speaks through the ass: What have I done to you? At which Balaam repents and finally sees the angel.

Breenbergh situated the story in a vast coastal landscape. His Balaam resembles Pieter Lastman's, who depicted the story in a 1622 painting.