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Balaam

Balaam was a pagan prophet hired by Balak to curse Israel, but he blessed them instead.

The name Balaam means “the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people”

MaleProphetEgypt and Wilderness eraOld & New Testaments8 books86 verses

Summary

A prophet living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Numbers 22:5; referred to as Balaam (בִּלְעָם) or Balaam (Βαλαάμ); a son of Beor.

Profile

Balaam was a diviner who read signs to predict the future and performed rituals to change it (see study note on Numbers 22:5–6; compare Joshua 13:22). He worked for money, so when Balak, the king of Moab, wanted to hire him to curse Israel, he was eager to start. Even when God told him not to go, he hoped God would change His mind because he was very interested in the money (2 Peter 2:15).

Finally, God allowed Balaam to go, but only if Balaam agreed to say what God instructed, aiming to frustrate Balak's plans (Deuteronomy 23:4–5). On the road, Balaam's donkey stopped and refused to move because the angel of the Lord blocked the way. The donkey could see the angel, but Balaam could not. Despite this, Balaam wisely chose not to curse the Israelites when God told him to bless them. To Balak's great frustration, blessing them was all Balaam could do.

Recently, an inscription was found mentioning Balaam son of Beor, a diviner who had visions at night (see Numbers 22:9–12, 20). The inscription was written on a plaster wall at Deir ‘Alla, eight miles east of the Jordan River, near where the Hebrews camped during the Balaam incident. This nonbiblical text, dated 800–750 BC, identifies Balaam as a “seer of the gods.” It reports that the gods, whose names in the inscription resemble Shaddai (“Almighty”; see Numbers 24:4, 16), gave Balaam a message and announced judgment upon the world (see Numbers 24:15–25). The inscription provides rare evidence from outside the Bible about a character in the Bible.

Balaam's character and motives seem mixed in Numbers 22–24. Numbers 25 describes how the men of Israel sinned by being with Moabite women and worshiping their gods, which angered God. Although Balaam is not mentioned here, Numbers 31:16 identifies him as the one who started this plot. After his visions ended, Balaam stayed in Moab and looked for ways to harm Israel and earn money. The Israelites killed him shortly after (Numbers 31:8). Balaam became known as:

Passages for Further Study

Numbers 22:1–25:18; 31:8, 16; Joshua 13:22; 2 Peter 2:15–16; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14

Glossary entries

Balaam

Family members

Father

Beor

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 27 verses that refer to Balaam without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. 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.
  2. Numbers 22:6Referred to, not named
    So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Numbers 22:9
    Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
  6. Numbers 22:10
    And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
  7. Numbers 22:11Referred to, not named
    ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
  8. Numbers 22:12
    But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”
  9. 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.”
  10. Numbers 22:14
    And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
  11. 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,
  12. Numbers 22:17Referred to, not named
    …for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
  13. 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.
  14. Numbers 22:19Referred to, not named
    So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”
  15. 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.”
  16. Numbers 22:21
    So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
  17. Numbers 22:22Referred to, not named
    Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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?”
  22. 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!”
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. Numbers 22:32Referred to, not named
    The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me.
  26. Numbers 22:33Referred to, not named
    The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”
  27. 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.”
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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?”
  31. 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.”
  32. Numbers 22:39
    So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
  33. Numbers 22:40
    Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.
  34. 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.
  35. Numbers 23:1
    Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
  36. Numbers 23:2
    So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
  37. 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,
  38. 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.”
  39. Numbers 23:5
    Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
  40. Numbers 23:6Referred to, not named
    So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
  41. Numbers 23:7Referred to, not named
    And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
  42. Numbers 23:8Referred to, not named
    How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
  43. Numbers 23:9Referred to, not named
    For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.
  44. Numbers 23:10Referred to, not named
    Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”
  45. 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!”
  46. Numbers 23:12Referred to, not named
    But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
  47. Numbers 23:13Referred to, not named
    Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”
  48. Numbers 23:14Referred to, not named
    So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
  49. Numbers 23:15Referred to, not named
    Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
  50. 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.”
  51. Numbers 23:17Referred to, not named
    So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked.
  52. Numbers 23:18Referred to, not named
    Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.
  53. Numbers 23:20Referred to, not named
    I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
  54. Numbers 23:25
    Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”
  55. Numbers 23:26
    But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
  56. 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.”
  57. Numbers 23:28
    And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
  58. Numbers 23:29
    Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
  59. Numbers 23:30
    So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
  60. Numbers 24:1
    And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
  61. Numbers 24:2
    When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
  62. Numbers 24:3
    …and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
  63. Numbers 24:10
    Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
  64. Numbers 24:11Referred to, not named
    Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
  65. Numbers 24:12
    Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
  66. Numbers 24:13Referred to, not named
    …that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
  67. Numbers 24:14Referred to, not named
    Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
  68. Numbers 24:15
    Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
  69. Numbers 24:17Referred to, not named
    I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
  70. Numbers 24:20Referred to, not named
    Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
  71. Numbers 24:21Referred to, not named
    Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
  72. Numbers 24:23Referred to, not named
    Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
  73. Numbers 24:25
    Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
  74. Numbers 31:8
    Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
  75. Numbers 31:16
    “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.
  76. Deuteronomy 23:4
    For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
  77. Deuteronomy 23:5
    Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
  78. Joshua 13:22
    The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.
  79. Joshua 24:9
    Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
  80. Joshua 24:10
    …but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.
  81. Nehemiah 13:2
    …because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).
  82. Micah 6:5
    My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
  83. 2 Peter 2:15
    They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
  84. 2 Peter 2:16Referred to, not named
    But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
  85. Jude 1:11
    Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
  86. Revelation 2:14
    But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.