Balaam

Gender: Male

Years: -1452 - 96

Dictionary Text: Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites; comp. 16. He resided at Pethor, in Mesopotamia. 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 to this as an historical event. In 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. In a battle between Israel and the Midianites Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak. The “doctrine of Balaam” is spoken of in, 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. Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression,.

Family Members

• Father: Beor

Verses

• Numbers 22:5: He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
• Numbers 22:36: And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
• Numbers 23:2: And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
• 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 22:18: And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
• Joshua 24:9: Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
• Numbers 22:41: And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
• Numbers 23:11: And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
• Numbers 24:12: And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
• Numbers 22:9: And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
• Jude 1:11: Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
• Numbers 24:25: And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
• Nehemiah 13:2: Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
• Numbers 24:1: And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
• Numbers 24:15: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
• Numbers 23:29: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
• Joshua 24:10: But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
• Numbers 22:27: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
• Numbers 22:12: And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
• Numbers 22:29: And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
• Numbers 22:37: And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
• Numbers 22:39: And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.
• Numbers 22:25: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
• Numbers 23:30: And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
• Numbers 22:7: And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
• Numbers 23:26: But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
• Numbers 23:1: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
• Numbers 22:40: And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
• Numbers 24:2: And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
• Numbers 22:8: And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
• Numbers 31:16: Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
• Numbers 22:30: And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
• Numbers 22:13: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
• Numbers 22:14: And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
• Numbers 22:34: And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
• Numbers 22:23: And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
• Revelation 2:14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
• Numbers 23:25: And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
• Numbers 22:21: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
• Numbers 22:35: And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
• Numbers 31:8: And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
• Numbers 22:20: And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
• Numbers 22:38: And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
• Numbers 22:10: And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
• Numbers 23:27: And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
• Deuteronomy 23:4: Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
• Joshua 13:22: Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
• Numbers 22:16: And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
• 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 23:5: And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
• Deuteronomy 23:5: Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
• Numbers 22:31: Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
• Micah 6:5: O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
• Numbers 23:3: And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
• Numbers 23:16: And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
• Numbers 23:4: And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
• 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;
• Numbers 23:28: And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
• Numbers 24:3: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: