Prophets & WritingsOld Testament

Balaam

Numbers 2 Peter Jude Revelation

When

c. 1406 BC· In the text

Counted back from a dated year by the Bible’s own numbers. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

uncertain — possibly "devourer" · Hebrew

About

A diviner hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel. On the way his donkey saw the angel of the Lord and spoke to him; each time he opened his mouth to curse Israel, God turned it into a blessing. He later enticed Israel into sin and is cited in the New Testament as a symbol of greed-driven false prophecy.

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Numbers 22:21

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.Numbers 22:21, KJV

Numbers 22:28

And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?Numbers 22:28, KJV

Numbers 24:10

And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.Numbers 24:10, KJV

2 Peter 2:15

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;2 Peter 2:15, KJV

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