Balaam is a fascinating and complex character that appears in the Old Testament book of Numbers. He was a non-Israelite prophet who lived during the time of Moses and the Exodus. Though not an Israelite, Balaam had a unique relationship with the God of Israel and was used by God in some important ways. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible reveals about Balaam:
Balaam was a prophet from Pethor
The first time Balaam is mentioned is in Numbers 22:5, which states that he lived in Pethor, which was near the Euphrates River (likely in Mesopotamia). Though not an Israelite, Balaam is called a “prophet” multiple times (Numbers 22:5, 22:8, 22:16). This indicates he had a real relationship with the true God and was used by God to deliver genuine prophecies and messages. However, there are also warnings in the New Testament about the errors of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11), which indicates he may have misused his prophetic gift at times.
Balak the King of Moab summoned Balaam to curse Israel
As the Israelites were approaching the Promised Land after their Exodus from Egypt, they had defeated a number of kingdoms east of the Jordan. The king of Moab, named Balak, became afraid of Israel and decided to summon Balaam to come and pronounce curses over the Israelites in hopes that it would give him an advantage over them in battle (Numbers 22:2-6). The fact that Balak sought out Balaam indicates he likely had a reputation as a powerful prophet whose words carried weight and impact.
God spoke to Balaam and controlled what he could pronounce
Though Balak summoned Balaam to come and curse Israel, God made it clear to Balaam that he was only to speak what God told him to speak. Balaam was unable to pronounce curses over Israel because God would not allow it. God even enabled his donkey to speak in order to warn Balaam against sinning by speaking what God had not commanded (Numbers 22:21-35). This shows that though Balaam had some prophetic gift, even a true prophet is only able to speak what God prompts them to speak.
Balaam blessed Israel from the high places of Baal
After Balak repeatedly summoned Balaam to curse Israel, God led Balaam to pronounce blessings over Israel instead. Some of these blessings over Israel were given from the high places of Baal (Numbers 22:41, 23:3), which were sites of pagan worship and sacrifice. God miraculously led Balaam to bless His people three times from places that were meant for cursing them (Numbers 23-24).
Balaam prophesied the coming Messiah
One of Balaam’s prophecies about Israel includes a clear prophecy about the coming Messiah. In Numbers 24:17, Balaam the non-Israelite prophet amazingly predicts, “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This is a prophecy about the coming kingly Messiah, Jesus. The wise men who sought out the child Jesus understood this prophecy was about the Messiah (Matthew 2:1-2).
Balaam was killed by Israel for his role at Peor
After blessing Israel, Balaam went his own way. Later, Numbers 25 describes a situation where Moabite women seduced Israelite men and led them into idolatry and sexual immorality. Numbers 31:16 reveals that Balaam was involved in counselling Moab on how to draw Israel into this sin, which led to a deadly plague. After this, Israel goes to war against Midian and the five kings of Midian, including Balaam, are killed by the sword (Numbers 31:1-8). This shows the eventual corruption of Balaam and his attempts to manipulate Israel into curse-worthy sin.
Warnings about Balaam in the New Testament
Though Balaam had moments of obedience to God, the New Testament contains warnings about the example and errors of Balaam. In 2 Peter 2:15, false teachers are warned against following the way of Balaam, where he profited by unrighteousness. Jude 1:11 likewise warns against the greed and deception of false teachers by comparing them to Balaam. Though capable of true prophecy, Balaam is held up as an example of one who could be prophetically gifted but also extremely foolish and prone to sinful error.
Key Lessons from Balaam’s life
There are several key lessons that can be learned from the complex account of Balaam in Scripture:
- Even non-Israelites might know portions of truth or have prophetic gifts
- No prophecy comes from a human mind, but only when carried by the Holy Spirit
- God is sovereign and can speak through whomever He pleases
- Gifts from God should only be used in obedience to His will
- Pride and greed can corrupt even the prophetic gift
- God blesses those who bless Israel and opposes those who oppose her
- Ethnic heritage does not determine one’s access to God’s revelation
- Balaam was an example of both blessing and deception to be avoided
Balaam offers a mixed legacy
In summary, Balaam has a complex legacy in Scripture. He was a diviner from a non-Israelite nation who appeared to have some genuine prophetic gifts. However, he also showed himself to be extremely foolish and prone to greedy sin. At times he pronounced true oracles from Yahweh, but he also attempted to sell the use of his prophetic gift. In the end, his life is a mixed picture that points to both the power and danger of the prophetic gift when misused or abused. He is held up as a warning in the New Testament against prophetic deception. But through his life, God also demonstrated His sovereign ability to speak through and direct people from any nation He chooses.
Other figures named Balaam in the Bible
There are a couple other men named Balaam mentioned in the Old Testament:
- Balaam son of Beor – Mentioned in Joshua 13:22 as one of the slain kings of Midian. Likely the same Balaam from Numbers.
- Balaam son of Becher – A different Balaam listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 7:8. Probably no relation to the prophet Balaam.
But the most well-known Balaam in Scripture is undoubtedly the prophet Balaam son of Beor, who was summoned from his home in Pethor by Balak king of Moab but whom God led to deliver both blessings and prophecies over the nation of Israel instead.
8 Key Bible passages about Balaam
To gain a full understanding of the story and character of Balaam, these are some of the most informative passages:
- Numbers 22:2-24 – Balak summons Balaam to curse Israel
- Numbers 22:21-39 – Balaam’s donkey speaks as an angel blocks his way
- Numbers 23-24 – Balaam blesses Israel from the high places
- Numbers 24:15-19 – Balaam’s prophecy of the coming king
- Numbers 31:1-16 – Israel slays Balaam along with the Midianites
- Deuteronomy 23:3-6 – Review of how the Lord turned Balaam’s curse into blessing
- Joshua 13:22 – Balaam the son of Beor slain with other kings
- 2 Peter 2:15 – False teachers follow the error of Balaam
Pondering these passages helps assemble the intriguing mosaic of Balaam’s life and legacy.
Balaam in Jewish and Christian traditions
Outside of Scripture, Jewish and Christian traditions often portray Balaam in a negative light:
- In Jewish tradition, Balaam is seen as an archetype of a wicked gentile prophet.
- The Talmud views him as embodying evil and harm.
- Jewish folklore blames him for theBaal worship Israel engaged in at Peor.
- Church fathers like Origen call him a false prophet motivated by greed.
- Medieval sources characterize him as proud and evil.
- Most Jewish and Christian interpreters see him as a religious charlatan.
These extrabiblical traditions pick up on the strain within Scripture that highlights the errors and sins of Balaam, who is held up as a warning even while demonstrating the power and mystery of God’s prophetic gifts.
Conclusion
Balaam remains a perplexing character – both a diviner outside Israel used by God to bless His people, but also an example of prophetic prostitution. His story reminds us that God can speak through anyone, but also warns of the temptation to abuse spiritual gifts for selfish gain. While a few glimpses of his prophecies reveal deep truth, Balaam’s legacy is mired by his own poor choices. His mixed story provides lessons and warnings that still resonate today for communities of faith seeking to faithfully discern and bless each other.