Balaam

Family: Midianite · Role: prophet · First appears: Numbers 22

Balaam, a Midianite prophet and son of Beor, was sought at Pethor when Balak sent messengers asking him to curse Israel. God first forbade him to go or curse the people, but after Balak sent a larger and more honorable delegation, allowed him to travel with the men while commanding him to speak only God’s words. On the journey, God opposed him through an angel, opened his eyes to the angel’s drawn sword, and opened the ass’s mouth; Balaam was then allowed to continue under the same restriction: “Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.”

At the high place in Numbers 23, God met Balaam and gave him a message after he prepared seven altars with offerings. Though Balak had hired him to curse, Balaam blessed those Balak wanted cursed, declaring, “Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.” Balak directed him to try from another location, then ordered him neither to curse nor bless them, but God’s spirit came upon Balaam in Numbers 24, and he prophesied to Balak about Israel’s future dominion and the destruction of Balak’s people.

Balak dismissed Balaam and told him to return to his place, saying that the LORD had kept him from the honor he had expected. In Numbers 31, Balaam son of Beor was slain with the sword during Israel’s war against Midian; Deuteronomy 23 records that God refused his curse and turned it into a blessing.