Bible Academy Start free trial

End of the forty years in the wilderness · c. 1407 BC

Balaam in the Bible

The diviner hired to curse Israel. Name meaning: Son of Beor, a diviner from Pethor; the New Testament calls him “the son of Bosor” (2 Pet 2:15). The Bible does not give the meaning of his name

A diviner from Pethor in Mesopotamia, Balaam is summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel as they camp on the plains of Moab. Stopped on the road by the angel of the LORD and by his own donkey, he can only bless Israel, three times over, and then announces that “there shall come a Star out of Jacob” (Num 24:17). Yet Scripture remembers him darkly: he “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15), his counsel led Israel into the affair of Peor (Num 31:16), and he was killed by the sword among the Midianites (Num 31:8).

Main books: Numbers

Key moments

  • Balak summons him from Pethor to curse Israel Numbers 22:5–6
  • God tells him, “Thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” Numbers 22:12
  • The donkey speaks, then his eyes are opened to the angel of the LORD Numbers 22:28–31
  • “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?” Numbers 23:8
  • “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” Numbers 24:17
  • On his counsel, Israel is drawn into the affair of Peor Numbers 31:16
  • He is killed by the sword with the kings of Midian Numbers 31:8

Strengths

  • Renowned diviner
  • Inspired speech
  • Love of gain
  • Treacherous counsel

Weaknesses

Balaam claims to know the LORD’s will: he cannot go “beyond the word of the LORD my God” (Num 22:18). Yet he is drawn by the reward: Peter says he “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15), and Jude speaks of “the error of Balaam” pursued for reward (Jude 11). Unable to curse Israel, he is remembered as the one through whom Israel was ensnared at Peor (Num 31:16; Rev 2:14).

Lessons for today

  • You cannot curse those whom God has blessed: the LORD turns into a blessing the curse meant for his people (Num 23:8; Deut 23:5).
  • Knowing God’s will is not enough: love of money can lead astray even someone who knows better (Num 22:18; 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11).
  • God accomplishes his purposes even through a divided man and a donkey: his word does not depend on the one who carries it (Num 22:28; 23:12, 19).
  • Danger sometimes comes through counsel rather than curses: stay alert to anything that leads toward idolatry and sexual immorality (Num 31:16; Rev 2:14).
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?
Numbers 23:8
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17
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; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
2 Peter 2:15–16

People around Balaam

  • Balak — King of Moab, son of Zippor, who summons him to curse Israel
  • Beor — His father (called Bosor in 2 Peter 2:15)
  • Moses — Leader of Israel, whom Balaam cannot curse
  • Phinehas — Goes out with the army of Israel that kills Balaam among the Midianites
  • Midian — Its elders come to fetch him, and he dies among its people

Quiz: how well do you know Balaam?

Who sent messengers to Balaam to have him curse Israel?

Which animal stopped Balaam on the road when it saw the angel of the LORD?

Complete God’s word to Balaam: “Thou shalt not curse the people: for…”

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.