Who was BALAAM, the son of Beor (Num 22:5)?
Andre Widodo
© ORI
The name BALAAM in Hebrew is [ִבְּלָע ם - BIL'AM].
It comes from Hebrew word [ַבּל - BAL] = NOT and the word [ַע ם - AM] = PEOPLE. The name [ִבְּלָע ם - BIL'AM] means = NOT OF THE PEOPLE; MAD MAN.
BALAAM was from Aram (ancient Mesopotamia/Syria). He was a Mesopotamian seer, pagan prophet or soothsayer, that Balak, king of Moab, hired to curse Israel because he was afraid of what Israel might do to Moab (Num 22:5, Num 22:7-10). The name also may mean something like "SWALLOWER OF A PEOPLE". Notice the Hebrew word [ָבַּלע - BALA] = "TO SWALLOW, TO DEVOUR, TO ENGULF".
So, by any means, BALAAM was a BAD GUY. He was regarded as a great seer, magician and an adept in the occult. He had an "evil eye" and drew the spirit of demons to anything he gazed upon.
Note that the name "Beor" first appears in connection with a king of Edom (Gen 36:32), which suggests that BALAAM might have once been a king of the Edomites (descendants of Esau). Note, however, the phonetic similarity to Peor. If Beor and Peor are the same, then BALAAM was actually a prophet of Baal Peor, a local Semitic god.
He attempted to curse Israel which is an impossible thing. No one-not even a great false prophet-can put a curse on God's people (Jos 24:9-10). The LORD made Balaam to utter one of the greatest prophecies of the Old Testament. He predicted a "star" would come from Judah (David). He later tried to curse Israel to commit spiritual and physical harlotry by following after Baal of Peor (Num 31:8, Num 31:16). This name became a byword of evil, corruption, and false religion in the New Testament also (2Pe 2:15; Jude 11; Rev 2:14). Also, one of his prophecies is preserved from about 750 B.C. witnessing to his fame in the ancient Near East. Micah recalls this incident (Mic 6:5).
The Moabites are cursed because of this incident Deu 23:4. God actually turned Balaam's curse into a blessing. The Israelites later executed Balaam (Jos 13:22).
Andre Widodo
© ORI
The name BALAAM in Hebrew is [ִבְּלָע ם - BIL'AM].
It comes from Hebrew word [ַבּל - BAL] = NOT and the word [ַע ם - AM] = PEOPLE. The name [ִבְּלָע ם - BIL'AM] means = NOT OF THE PEOPLE; MAD MAN.
BALAAM was from Aram (ancient Mesopotamia/Syria). He was a Mesopotamian seer, pagan prophet or soothsayer, that Balak, king of Moab, hired to curse Israel because he was afraid of what Israel might do to Moab (Num 22:5, Num 22:7-10). The name also may mean something like "SWALLOWER OF A PEOPLE". Notice the Hebrew word [ָבַּלע - BALA] = "TO SWALLOW, TO DEVOUR, TO ENGULF".
So, by any means, BALAAM was a BAD GUY. He was regarded as a great seer, magician and an adept in the occult. He had an "evil eye" and drew the spirit of demons to anything he gazed upon.
Note that the name "Beor" first appears in connection with a king of Edom (Gen 36:32), which suggests that BALAAM might have once been a king of the Edomites (descendants of Esau). Note, however, the phonetic similarity to Peor. If Beor and Peor are the same, then BALAAM was actually a prophet of Baal Peor, a local Semitic god.
He attempted to curse Israel which is an impossible thing. No one-not even a great false prophet-can put a curse on God's people (Jos 24:9-10). The LORD made Balaam to utter one of the greatest prophecies of the Old Testament. He predicted a "star" would come from Judah (David). He later tried to curse Israel to commit spiritual and physical harlotry by following after Baal of Peor (Num 31:8, Num 31:16). This name became a byword of evil, corruption, and false religion in the New Testament also (2Pe 2:15; Jude 11; Rev 2:14). Also, one of his prophecies is preserved from about 750 B.C. witnessing to his fame in the ancient Near East. Micah recalls this incident (Mic 6:5).
The Moabites are cursed because of this incident Deu 23:4. God actually turned Balaam's curse into a blessing. The Israelites later executed Balaam (Jos 13:22).
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