Balaam

Bay´luhm

A non-Israelite prophet skilled in divination. Balaam appears commonly in the OT and regularly in the NT as an example of an evil artist, a prophet who would sell his skill without reference to the Word of God (Deut 23:4; Deut 23:5; Josh 13:22; Josh 24:9; Josh 24:10; Neh 13:2; Mic 6:5; 2Pet 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14). The story in (Num 22:21-35) constitutes a narrative from this facet of the tradition. Balaam, traditionally known as a “seer of the gods,” cannot see as well as his ass. Moreover, Balaam carries the responsibility for causing Israel to sin at Baal-peor (Num 31:8; Num 31:16).