Balaam: Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others,
the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites
(Numbers 31:8)
comp.
(Numbers 31:16) He resided at Pethor
(Deuteronomy 23:4) in Mesopotamia
(Numbers 23:7) It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had
some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that
it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he
cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of
Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from
Aram, out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the
remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil
Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter
refers
(2 Peter 2:15,16) to this as an historical event. In
(Micah 6:5)
reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak.
Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by
which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them
(Numbers 25:1)ff In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.)
Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak
(Numbers 31:8)
The "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in
(Revelation 2:14) in allusion to the
fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the
way by which the Israelites might be led into sin.
(See NICOLAITANES)
Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of
Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression
(Numbers 24:5-9,17)
