Balaam in the Bible

Meaning: the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people

Exact Match

He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, there is a people who came out from Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMessengers Sent Out

The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.

Verse ConceptsOld Age, Attitudes ToReward, HumanDivination

He said to them, "Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me." The princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyPrincesOvercoming Adversity

Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, [saying],

God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people; for they are blessed."

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGod BlessesGod Forbidding

Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you."

Verse ConceptsGod Forbidding

The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us."

They came to Balaam, and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, 'Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me:

Verse ConceptsAvoid Being Hindered

Balaam answered the servants of Balak, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGoldPalacesSilverSupplied With Money

God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do."

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGoing Together

But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyConfrontationOpposition, To Sin And EvilGod As EnemyTwo Other Men

The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the way.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyStandingBeating AnimalsAnimals Going AstraySeeing AngelsGod's Sword

The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he struck her again.

Verse ConceptsAccidentsInjury To FeetBeating AnimalsPressingSeeing Angelscrushes

Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyAnimal LifeRebukeActing Three TimesThe Dumb Speaking

Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you."

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyKilling Domesticated Animals

The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?" He said, "No."

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyRiding DonkeysPeople Possessing Other Things

Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyBowingProstrationReceiving SightSeeing AngelsGod's Sword

Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned; for I didn't know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again."

Verse ConceptsAcknowledge, SinIndividuals going homeIgnorant Of FactsWe Have Sinned

The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Verse ConceptsAngel of the LordGoing TogetherSpeaking The Word God Gives

When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMeeting PeopleArnonSpoken Greetings

Balak said to Balaam, "Didn't I earnestly send to you to call you? Why didn't you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?"

Verse ConceptsImportunity, Towards PeopleUrgencyWhy Do You Do This?

Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you: have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak."

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMouthsOraclesOracles Of BalaamSpeaking The Word God Gives

It happened in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there the utmost part of the people.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyBaal Worship, HistorySeeing People

Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.

Verse ConceptsRams

Balaam said to Balak, "Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go: perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you." He went to a bare height.

Verse ConceptsHeightKnowing God, Nature OfSpeaking The Word God Gives

God met Balaam: and he said to him, "I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar."

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven ThingsMeeting GodSacrificing Cattle Sheep And Goats

So Balaam returned to where Balak had been standing, that is, next to his offerings, accompanied by all the Moabite officials.

Balaam proclaimed his poem:

Balak brought me from Aram;
the king of Moab, from the eastern mountains:
“Come, put a curse on Jacob for me;
come, denounce Israel!”

Verse ConceptsInvitationsJacob, The PatriarchCrude LanguageCursing IsraelWise Proverbs

Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether."

Verse ConceptsWhat Do You Do?Blessing And CurseBlessed By Godcurses

But in response, Balaam asked, "Shouldn't I be careful to communicate only what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

So he took Balaam to the field of Zophim to the top of [Mount] Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven ThingsSacrificing Cattle Sheep And Goats

Balaam said to Balak, "Station yourself here at the burnt offering while I myself meet with [Yahweh] there."

Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and say this."

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

So Balaam returned to where Balak had been standing, that is, next to his offerings, accompanied by the Moabite officials. "What did the LORD say?" Balak asked him.

Balaam proclaimed his poem:

Balak, get up and listen;
son of Zippor, pay attention to what I say!

Verse ConceptsPay Attention To People!Wise Proverbs

But Balaam answered Balak, "Didn't I tell you, saying, 'All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do?'"

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse me them from there."

Verse ConceptsAmbiguityCursing Israel

Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.

Balaam said to Balak, "Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams."

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven Things

Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn't go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Verse ConceptsGod Blesses

Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

Verse ConceptsThe Spirit Of GodCamping During The ExodusSeeing People

Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

Verse ConceptsAnger, HumanCommunicating Three TimesClappingBlessing And CurseCursing IsraelNamed People Angry With Others

Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,

He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;

Verse ConceptsReceiving SightWise Proverbs

Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem:

Amalek was first among the nations,
but his future is destruction.

Verse ConceptsBeing FirstPeople BeginningWise Proverbs

Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock.

Verse ConceptsNestsWise Proverbs

And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Verse ConceptsFive PeopleKilling KingsKilling ProphetsNamed Gentile Rulers

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyadvisersMan's Counsel

Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

Verse ConceptsHiringMoney, Attitudes ToUnkindnessInhospitalityNo FoodCursing Israel

Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

Verse ConceptsPeople Of God, In OtBlessing And CurseCursing IsraelGod Turning Bad Things Into Goodcurses

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyKilling Named Individuals

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

Verse ConceptsCursing Israel

But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Verse ConceptsHiringBlessing And CurseCursing Israel

O My people, remember, I pray you, What counsel did Balak king of Moab, What answer him did Balaam son of Beor, (From Shittim unto Gilgal,) In order to know the righteous acts of Jehovah.'

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGod, Righteousness OfHistoryPast, TheAnswering PeopleGod Doing RightDoing RightMan's Counsel

But Balaam was rebuked for his own wrongdoing by a speechless donkey, who spoke out in a man's voice and prevented the prophet from continuing his foolishness.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMadnessMouthsRebukeRestraintPeople Acting MadlyDumbnessBeing ReprovedDumbThe Dumb Speaking

Thematic Bible



Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams here.”

So he took Balaam to the field of Zophim to the top of [Mount] Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

And Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams here.”


When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry and he struck the donkey [a third time] with his staff.


And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way. But the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side. read more.
And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against it, and he struck her again. And the Angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right hand or to the left. And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam, and Balaam's anger was kindled and he struck the donkey with his staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you should strike me these three times? And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have ridiculed and provoked me! I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you! And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life long until this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to you? And he said, No. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His sword drawn in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? See, I came out to stand against and resist you, for your behavior is willfully obstinate and contrary before Me. And the ass saw Me and turned from Me these three times. If she had not turned from Me, surely I would have slain you and saved her alive.


When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon [River], at the farthest end of the border.

So Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

So he sent messengers to Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.

God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], for they are blessed.”

They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur [the father of Cozbi] and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; also Balaam the son of Beor they killed with the sword.

Look, these [are the women who] caused the Israelites, by the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a plague came among the congregation of the Lord.


“My people, remember now
What Balak king of Moab devised [with his evil plan against Israel]
And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him [turning the curse into blessing for Israel],
[Remember what the Lord did for you] from Shittim to Gilgal,
So that you may know the righteous and saving acts [displaying the power] of the Lord.”

Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;



“My people, remember now
What Balak king of Moab devised [with his evil plan against Israel]
And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him [turning the curse into blessing for Israel],
[Remember what the Lord did for you] from Shittim to Gilgal,
So that you may know the righteous and saving acts [displaying the power] of the Lord.”

Sent messengers to Balaam [a foreteller of events] son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, even to the land of the children of his people, to say to him, There is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth and they have settled down and dwell opposite me. Now come, I beg of you, curse this people for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. And the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with the rewards of foretelling in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel, and he sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.

because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.


And Balaam lifted up his eyes and he saw Israel abiding in their tents according to their tribes. And the Spirit of God came upon him And he took up his [figurative] discourse and said: Balaam son of Beor, the man whose eye is opened [at last, to see clearly the purposes and will of God], He [Balaam] who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, but having his eyes open and uncovered, he says: read more.
How attractive and considerable are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel! As valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as [rare spice] of lignaloes which the Lord has planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. [Israel] shall pour water out of his own buckets [have his own sources of rich blessing and plenty], and his offspring shall dwell by many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought [Israel] forth out of Egypt; [Israel] has strength like the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his enemies, crushing their bones and piercing them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion; and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? Blessed [of God] is he who blesses you [who prays for and contributes to your welfare] and cursed [of God] is he who curses you [who in word, thought, or deed would bring harm upon you].

Forsaking the straight road they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam [the son] of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his own transgression when a dumb beast of burden spoke with human voice and checked the prophet's madness.


but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way. But the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side. read more.
And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against it, and he struck her again. And the Angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right hand or to the left. And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam, and Balaam's anger was kindled and he struck the donkey with his staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you should strike me these three times? And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have ridiculed and provoked me! I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you! And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life long until this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to you? And he said, No. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His sword drawn in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? See, I came out to stand against and resist you, for your behavior is willfully obstinate and contrary before Me. And the ass saw Me and turned from Me these three times. If she had not turned from Me, surely I would have slain you and saved her alive. Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will return. The Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men, but you shall speak only what I tell you. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.


Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: you have some people there who are clinging to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap and a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [to entice them] to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and to practice lewdness [giving themselves up to sexual vice]. You also have some who in a similar way are clinging to the teaching of the Nicolaitans [those corrupters of the people] which thing I hate.

Look, these [are the women who] caused the Israelites, by the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a plague came among the congregation of the Lord.


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;

Woe to them! For they have gone the [defiant] way of Cain, and for profit they have run headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of [mutinous] Korah.


They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur [the father of Cozbi] and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; also Balaam the son of Beor they killed with the sword.

The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner (soothsayer), with the sword among [the rest of] their slain.


And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your own land, for the Lord refuses to permit me to go with you. So the princes of Moab rose up and went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us. read more.
Then Balak again sent princes, more of them and more honorable than the first ones. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor, I beg of you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me. For I will promote you to very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so come, I beg of you, curse this people for me. And Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry here again tonight that I may know what more the Lord will say to me. And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do. And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.


Sent messengers to Balaam [a foreteller of events] son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, even to the land of the children of his people, to say to him, There is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth and they have settled down and dwell opposite me. Now come, I beg of you, curse this people for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.


Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have done nothing but bless them these three times.


The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have certainly killed you now, and let her live.”


Look, these [are the women who] caused the Israelites, by the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a plague came among the congregation of the Lord.


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;


The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner (soothsayer), with the sword among [the rest of] their slain.


because they did not meet you with bread (food) and water on the road as you came out of Egypt, and because they hired [to act] against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.


Forsaking the straight road they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam [the son] of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his own transgression when a dumb beast of burden spoke with human voice and checked the prophet's madness.

Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.

Balak said to Balaam, Did I not [earnestly] send to you to ask you [to come] to me? Why did you not come? Am not I able to promote you to honor? And Balaam said to Balak, Indeed I have come to you, but do I now have any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.


“How shall I curse those whom God has not cursed?
Or how can I [violently] denounce those the Lord has not denounced?

Balaam answered, “Must I not be obedient and careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?”

Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to your messengers whom you sent to me, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the command of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will, but what the Lord says, that will I speak? And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, I will tell you what this people [Israel] will do to your people [Moab] in the latter days.


Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.


“How shall I curse those whom God has not cursed?
Or how can I [violently] denounce those the Lord has not denounced?

Balaam answered, “Must I not be obedient and careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?”

Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to your messengers whom you sent to me, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the command of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will, but what the Lord says, that will I speak? And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, I will tell you what this people [Israel] will do to your people [Moab] in the latter days.

So Balaam said to Balak, “Indeed I have come to you now, but am I able to say anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”


Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will turn back.”


Then Balak again sent princes, more of them and more honorable than the first ones. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor, I beg of you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me. For I will promote you to very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so come, I beg of you, curse this people for me. read more.
And Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;




And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.


And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.


And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.


but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.


Balaam answered, “Must I not be obedient and careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?”

Then the Lord put a speech in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.”


So he sent messengers to Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.


And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.


Balaam answered, “Must I not be obedient and careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?”

Then the Lord put a speech in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.”


So he sent messengers to Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.


So he sent messengers to Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.


Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will turn back.”


but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.


And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him.


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;

Then Balak again sent princes, more of them and more honorable than the first ones. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor, I beg of you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me. For I will promote you to very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so come, I beg of you, curse this people for me. read more.
And Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry here again tonight that I may know what more the Lord will say to me. And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do. And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.


For I will give you a very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so please come, curse these people [of Israel] for me.’”


Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;

Woe to them! For they have gone the [defiant] way of Cain, and for profit they have run headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of [mutinous] Korah.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets

Morish

Smith

Watsons