Balaam
Pagan prophet hired to curse Israel
Name Information
- Meaning: "Not of the people" or possibly "Destroyer of the people"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew/Aramaic
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Balaam was a non-Israelite diviner hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel. Though God initially forbade him, Balaam eventually went and delivered prophetic blessings instead of curses. Despite speaking true words from God, he later led Israel into sin, revealing a divided heart.
⏰ Wilderness Wanderings
Roles
- Diviner
- Prophet-for-hire
Relationships
- Parents: Beor
- Spouse: Not mentioned
- Children: Not mentioned
Story
King Balak sent messengers to hire Balaam to curse Israel.
God told Balaam not to go, but Balaam persisted and eventually was allowed.
On his journey, Balaam’s donkey saw an angel and refused to move—God opened the donkey's mouth to speak.
Instead of curses, Balaam delivered blessings upon Israel under divine compulsion.
Later, he advised Moab to seduce Israel, leading to judgment.
Spiritual Significance
- Hired by Balak to curse Israel but ended up blessing them under God's direction.
- Had a famous encounter with a talking donkey who rebuked him.
- Though he prophesied truth, he later advised Moab to entice Israel into idolatry.
- Serves as a warning example of greed and spiritual compromise.
What We Can Learn
- Even those who speak for God can be corrupted by greed and selfish motives.
- God can use anyone—even unwilling or unrighteous people—for His purposes.
- Obedience requires more than words; it requires a pure heart.
- Spiritual discernment is essential in evaluating leaders and messages.
Memory Verses
These people have gone the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
— 2 Peter 2:15
Key Passages
- Numbers 22–24
- Numbers 31:8, 16
- 2 Peter 2:15
- Revelation 2:14
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