The table below presents two contradictory verses. Both verses talk about what Bilam knew. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says Bilam knew the thoughts of God while the other verse says Bilam didn't know about an Angel that his donkey saw! Which is it? Was Bilam a prophetic genious knowing all sorts of things about God, or was he an idiot who knew less than a donkey. Rashi simply resolves this using the broad-literal method: Since Bilam did not see an angel which his donkey did see we conclude Bilam was quite ignorant. We therefore interpret non-literally the verse statement he knew the thoughts of the High one: This statement should be perceived as stated with irony; it reflects his bragging self conception rather than his true self.

Summary	Verse / Source	Text of verse / Source
Bilam was ignorant	Nu22-32:34	And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why did you strike your ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand you, because your way is perverse before me; And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times; if it had not turned aside from me, surely now also I would had slain you, and let her live. And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that you stood in the way against me; now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.
Bilam knows the thoughts of the Most High	Nu24-16	The speech of one who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes open;
Resolution:	broad-literal	Since Bilam did not see an angel which his donkey did see we conclude Bilam was quite ignorant. We therefore interpret non-literally the verse statement he knew the thoughts of the High one: This statement should be perceived as stated with irony; it reflects his bragging self conception rather than his true self.