Illustration created for this project.

Balaam

A foreign diviner hired to curse Israel who, restrained by God, blessed them instead; his donkey spoke.

Role: Pagan seer

Lived: c. 13th century BC

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1

Life, role & deeds

BibleA pagan seer hired by Balak of Moab to curse Israel, whose own donkey rebuked him and whose mouth God turned to blessing.

Numbers 22–24

↳ Balak

Disdero — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyA plaster inscription from Deir Alla in Jordan (c. 800 BC) tells of 'Balaam son of Beor, seer of the gods' — the same figure, named outside the Bible.

Deir Alla plaster inscription (Combination I), excavated 1967 by H.J. Franken at Tell Deir Alla, Jordan; Jordan Museum, Amman. Names 'Balaam son of Beor' (bl'm br b'r), seer of the gods; editio princeps J. Hoftijzer & G. van der Kooij, 'Aramaic Texts from Deir 'Alla' (Brill, 1976).

Death & legacy

BibleHe later lured Israel into sin at Peor, and was killed in the war on Midian.

Numbers 31:8, 16

Where in scripture

Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Nehemiah Micah 2 Peter Jude Revelation

Numbers 22:5 Numbers 22:28 Numbers 24:17 Numbers 31:8 Numbers 31:16 Deuteronomy 23:4 Deuteronomy 23:5 Joshua 13:22 Joshua 24:9 Joshua 24:10 Nehemiah 13:2 Micah 6:5 2 Peter 2:15 Jude 1:11 Revelation 2:14

Family

In their own words — 18 recorded sayings

“And he said to them, Take your rest here tonight, and I will give you an answer after hearing what the Lord says; so the chiefs of Moab kept there with Balaam that night.” — Numbers 22:8

“And Balaam said to God, Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me, saying, See, the people who have come out of Egypt are covering all the earth: now, put a curse on this people for me, so that I may be able to make war on them, driving them out of the land.” — Numbers 22:10-11

“In the morning Balaam got up and said to the chiefs of Balak, Go back to your land, for the Lord will not let me go with you.” — Numbers 22:13

“But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God. So take your rest here this night, till I have knowledge what more the Lord has to say to me.” — Numbers 22:18-19

“And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death.” — Numbers 22:29

“And the ass said to Balaam, Am I not your ass upon which you have gone all your life till this day? and have I ever done this to you before? And he said, No.” — Numbers 22:30

“And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have done wrong, for I did not see that you were in the way against me: but now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back again.” — Numbers 22:34

“Then Balaam said to Balak, Now I have come to you; but have I power to say anything? Only what God puts into my mouth may I say.” — Numbers 22:38

…and 10 more recorded sayings.

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).

Journeys

Balaam is summoned to curse Israel

Balak of Moab hires the seer Balaam to curse Israel; but each time Balaam opens his mouth he blesses them instead, and foretells a star that would rise out of Jacob.