A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead.
Balaam
Named in 59 verses across 8 books, first in Numbers 22:5.
בִּלְעָםBalaam
ΒαλαάμBalaam
The name means “the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Beor
About Balaam Written by AI
Balaam was a pagan prophet from Pethor near the Euphrates River (Numbers 22:5). Balak, king of Moab, hired him to curse the Israelites as they approached Moabite territory (Numbers 22:6). Despite initial resistance, Balaam agreed to go with Balak's messengers after God permitted him, but only to speak what God told him (Numbers 22:7 to 21). On the way, Balaam's donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and saved Balaam from being killed (Numbers 22:22 to 35). In three oracles, Balaam blessed Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 23-24). Later, Balaam was killed in Israel's battle against Midian (Numbers 31:8). He had advised the Midianites to entice Israel into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Balaam's story is remembered as an example of God's sovereignty (Deuteronomy 23:4 to 5; Joshua 24:9 to 10; Nehemiah 13:2; Micah 6:5) and as a warning against greed and false teaching (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam “from Aram, out of the mountains of the east,” to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil Balak’s wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter refers (2 Pet. 2:15, 16) to this as an historical event. In Micah 6:5 reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them (Num. 25). In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.) Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak (Num. 31:8).
The “doctrine of Balaam” is spoken of in Rev. 2:14, in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin. (See NICOLAITANES.) Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression (Num. 24:5-9, 17).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Numbers 22:5
he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
- Numbers 22:7
The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
- Numbers 22:8
“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
- Numbers 22:9
Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
- Numbers 22:10
And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
- Numbers 22:12
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
- Numbers 22:13
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
- Numbers 22:14
And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
- Numbers 22:16
They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
- Numbers 22:18
But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
- Numbers 22:20
That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”
- Numbers 22:21
So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
- Numbers 22:23
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path.
- Numbers 22:25
And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.
- Numbers 22:27
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.
- Numbers 22:28
Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”
- Numbers 22:29
Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”
- Numbers 22:30
But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied.
- Numbers 22:31
Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.
- Numbers 22:34
“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”
- Numbers 22:35
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
- Numbers 22:36
When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.
- Numbers 22:37
And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to reward you richly?”
- Numbers 22:38
“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”
- Numbers 22:39
So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
- Numbers 22:40
Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.
- Numbers 22:41
The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.
- Numbers 23:1
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
- Numbers 23:2
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- Numbers 23:3
“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,
- Numbers 23:4
and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”
- Numbers 23:5
Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
- Numbers 23:11
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”
- Numbers 23:16
And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”
- Numbers 23:25
Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”
- Numbers 23:26
But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
- Numbers 23:27
“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”
- Numbers 23:28
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
- Numbers 23:29
Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
- Numbers 23:30
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.