1109. Bil'am

Lexical Summary

Bil'am: Balaam

Original Word: בִּלְעָם
Part of Speech: proper name, masculine; proper name, of a location
Transliteration: Bil`am
Pronunciation: bil-awm'
Phonetic Spelling: (bil-awm')
KJV: Balaam, Bileam
Word Origin: [probably from H1077 (בַּל - no) and H5971 (עַם - People)]

1. not (of the) people
2. foreigner
3. Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet
4. also a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Balaam, Bileam

Probably from bal and am; not (of the) people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine -- Balaam, Bileam.

see HEBREW bal

see HEBREW am

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. בִּלְעָם proper name, masculine Balaam (according to Sta^{§ 293} = בלע + ם; Nbr^{Stud. Bib. i, 226} proposes בל = בעל + (god) עם), son of בְּעוֺר, prophet from מְּתוֺר (q. v.): — Numbers 22:5,7,8,9 47t. Numbers 22-24 (all J E) Numbers 31:8,16 (P) Deuteronomy 23:5; Deuteronomy 23:6 (D) (compare R^D Joshua 13:22) Joshua 24:9,10 (E) Micah 6:5; Nehemiah 13:2.

II. בִּלְעָם proper name, of a location town in Manasseh 1 Chronicles 6:55; A Ιβλααμ, ᵐ5^L Ιεβλααμ = יִבְלְעָם (q. v.) Joshua 17:11 2t.; modern Bel`ame, 6 hours north of Nâblus, Bd^{Pal 228}, so Survey^{ii. 47}.

Topical Lexicon

Name and Origin

Balaam (בִּלְעָם, Strong’s Hebrew 1109) is consistently identified as “son of Beor” and as a resident of Pethor on the Euphrates (Numbers 22:5; Deuteronomy 23:4). Scripture portrays him as a renowned diviner whose reputation for effective blessing and cursing extended across the region (Numbers 22:6).

Historical Setting

His activity occurs during Israel’s final encampment east of the Jordan. Balak king of Moab, alarmed by Israel’s approach, hires Balaam to curse the nation (Numbers 22:2-6). The narrative spans Numbers 22–24 and is echoed or summarized in at least eleven other Old Testament books, totaling about sixty-one references.

Divine Encounter and the Journey

God immediately asserts sovereignty over Balaam’s prophetic gift: “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). After repeated requests and divine permission mingled with warning, Balaam sets out. On the road the Angel of the LORD confronts him; only Balaam’s donkey sees the danger until “the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes” (Numbers 22:31). This episode underscores the prophet’s spiritual blindness apart from divine revelation.

Four Oracles of Blessing

At three vantage points—Bamoth-Baal, Pisgah, and Peor—Balaam seeks omens, yet each time pronounces blessing rather than curse.

1. First Oracle (Numbers 23:7-10): Israel’s separateness and innumerable multitude.
2. Second Oracle (Numbers 23:18-24): The immutability of God’s word—“God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).
3. Third Oracle (Numbers 24:3-9): Vision of Israel’s flourishing—“Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you” (Numbers 24:9).
4. Fourth Oracle (Numbers 24:15-19): A future royal deliverer—“I see him, but not now… A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel” (Numbers 24:17). This prophecy is widely understood as Messianic.

Additional brief pronouncements follow against Moab’s neighbors (Numbers 24:20-24).

Counsel of Seduction

Unable to curse Israel, Balaam advises Balak to lure the Israelites into idolatry and immorality with Midianite and Moabite women (Numbers 31:16). The plot succeeds temporarily (Numbers 25:1-9), bringing a deadly plague until Phinehas intervenes. This episode reveals Balaam’s willingness to subvert God’s people for reward, marking the turning point from reluctant spokesman of blessing to deliberate instigator of sin.

Death and Retribution

Balaam dies by the sword when Israel defeats Midian (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:22). He is singled out as practicing divination (“kosem”) and as “the sorcerer” whose end validates divine justice.

Later Old Testament Testimony

• Deuteronomy 23:4-5 recalls Yahweh’s turning of curse into blessing.
• Joshua 24:9-10 highlights God’s protection of Israel against Balaam’s intentions.
• Nehemiah 13:2 uses the account as a motive for Israel’s separation from foreign alliances.
• Micah 6:5 appeals to Balaam’s oracles as evidence of the LORD’s righteous acts.

These texts consistently present Balaam as a foil for God’s faithfulness and Israel’s irrevocable blessing.

Canonical Legacy

Though an outsider, Balaam becomes Scripture’s archetype of the self-serving prophet. His name surfaces in 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, and Revelation 2:14 as shorthand for greed, compromise, and doctrinal corruption. Conversely, his forced blessings affirm the certainty of God’s covenant promises and anticipate the Messianic King.

Key Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty: Human intent cannot override God’s decree (Numbers 23:8).
2. Integrity of Revelation: True prophecy remains immune to bribery or manipulation.
3. Irreversibility of the Abrahamic Blessing: “Blessed is he who blesses you” (Numbers 24:9) echoes Genesis 12:3.
4. Moral Compromise: Balaam’s counsel shows how subtle enticement can achieve what open hostility cannot.
5. Messianic Hope: The “star from Jacob” links Israel’s conquest with a distant universal reign.

Practical Application

Balaam’s narrative warns against covetous ministry, highlights the necessity of moral fidelity, and encourages confidence that no external curse can thwart God’s redemptive plan.

Forms and Transliterations

בִּלְעָ֑ם בִּלְעָ֔ם בִּלְעָ֖ם בִּלְעָ֗ם בִּלְעָ֜ם בִּלְעָ֣ם בִּלְעָ֥ם בִּלְעָֽם׃ בִּלְעָם֙ בִּלְעָם֮ בִלְעָ֑ם בִלְעָ֜ם בִלְעָם֒ בלעם בלעם׃ וּבִלְעָ֛ם ובלעם לְבִלְעָ֑ם לְבִלְעָ֔ם לְבִלְעָ֥ם לְבִלְעָם֙ לבלעם bil‘ām ḇil‘ām bil·‘ām ḇil·‘ām bilAm lə·ḇil·‘ām ləḇil‘ām levilAm ū·ḇil·‘ām ūḇil‘ām uvilAm vilAm

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 22:5
HEB: מַלְאָכִ֜ים אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֣ם בֶּן־ בְּע֗וֹר
NAS: messengers to Balaam the son
KJV: messengers therefore unto Balaam the son
INT: messengers to Balaam the son of Beor

Numbers 22:7
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו
NAS: and they came to Balaam and repeated
KJV: and they came unto Balaam, and spake
INT: came to Balaam and repeated about

Numbers 22:8
HEB: מוֹאָ֖ב עִם־ בִּלְעָֽם׃
NAS: of Moab stayed with Balaam.
KJV: of Moab abode with Balaam.
INT: of Moab with Balaam

Numbers 22:9
HEB: אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֛י
NAS: Then God came to Balaam and said, Who
KJV: came unto Balaam, and said,
INT: God to Balaam and said Who

Numbers 22:10
HEB: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל־ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים
NAS: Balaam said to God,
KJV: And Balaam said unto God,
INT: said Balaam to God

Numbers 22:12
HEB: אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֔ם לֹ֥א תֵלֵ֖ךְ
NAS: said to Balaam, Do not go
KJV: said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go
INT: God to Balaam not go

Numbers 22:13
HEB: וַיָּ֤קָם בִּלְעָם֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
NAS: So Balaam arose in the morning
KJV: And Balaam rose up in the morning,
INT: arose Balaam the morning and said

Numbers 22:14
HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵאֵ֥ן בִּלְעָ֖ם הֲלֹ֥ךְ עִמָּֽנוּ׃
NAS: and said, Balaam refused
KJV: and said, Balaam refuseth
INT: and said refused Balaam and went yet

Numbers 22:16
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל֗וֹ
NAS: They came to Balaam and said
KJV: And they came to Balaam, and said
INT: came to Balaam and said Thus

Numbers 22:18
HEB: וַיַּ֣עַן בִּלְעָ֗ם וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־
NAS: Balaam replied to the servants
KJV: And Balaam answered and said
INT: replied Balaam and said to

Numbers 22:20
HEB: אֱלֹהִ֥ים ׀ אֶל־ בִּלְעָם֮ לַיְלָה֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
NAS: God came to Balaam at night and said
KJV: came unto Balaam at night,
INT: God to Balaam night and said

Numbers 22:21
HEB: וַיָּ֤קָם בִּלְעָם֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַֽיַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
NAS: So Balaam arose in the morning,
KJV: And Balaam rose up in the morning,
INT: arose Balaam the morning and saddled

Numbers 22:23
HEB: בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֤ךְ בִּלְעָם֙ אֶת־ הָ֣אָת֔וֹן
NAS: into the field; but Balaam struck
KJV: into the field: and Balaam smote
INT: the field struck Balaam the donkey to turn

Numbers 22:25
HEB: אֶת־ רֶ֥גֶל בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל־ הַקִּ֑יר
NAS: and pressed Balaam's foot
KJV: and crushed Balaam's foot
INT: and pressed foot Balaam's against the wall

Numbers 22:27
HEB: וַתִּרְבַּ֖ץ תַּ֣חַת בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיִּֽחַר־ אַ֣ף
NAS: under Balaam; so Balaam
KJV: she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's
INT: lay under Balaam was kindled anger

Numbers 22:27
HEB: וַיִּֽחַר־ אַ֣ף בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־
NAS: Balaam; so Balaam was angry
KJV: under Balaam: and Balaam's anger
INT: was kindled anger Balaam and struck the donkey

Numbers 22:28
HEB: הָאָת֑וֹן וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לְבִלְעָם֙ מֶה־ עָשִׂ֣יתִֽי
NAS: and she said to Balaam, What
KJV: and she said unto Balaam, What have I done
INT: of the donkey said to Balaam What done

Numbers 22:29
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בִּלְעָם֙ לָֽאָת֔וֹן כִּ֥י
NAS: Then Balaam said to the donkey,
KJV: And Balaam said unto the ass,
INT: said Balaam to the donkey Because

Numbers 22:30
HEB: הָאָת֜וֹן אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלוֹא֩ אָנֹכִ֨י
NAS: said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey
KJV: said unto Balaam, [Am] not I thine ass,
INT: the donkey to Balaam No not

Numbers 22:31
HEB: אֶת־ עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־
NAS: the eyes of Balaam, and he saw
KJV: the eyes of Balaam, and he saw
INT: the LORD the eyes of Balaam saw the angel

Numbers 22:34
HEB: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר בִּלְעָ֜ם אֶל־ מַלְאַ֤ךְ
NAS: Balaam said to the angel
KJV: And Balaam said unto the angel
INT: said Balaam to the angel

Numbers 22:35
HEB: יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֗ם לֵ֚ךְ עִם־
NAS: said to Balaam, Go
KJV: said unto Balaam, Go
INT: of the LORD to Balaam Go with

Numbers 22:35
HEB: תְדַבֵּ֑ר וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ בִּלְעָ֖ם עִם־ שָׂרֵ֥י
NAS: I tell you. So Balaam went
KJV: unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went
INT: tell went Balaam with the leaders

Numbers 22:36
HEB: כִּ֣י בָ֣א בִלְעָ֑ם וַיֵּצֵ֨א לִקְרָאת֜וֹ
NAS: heard that Balaam was coming,
KJV: heard that Balaam was come,
INT: for was coming Balaam went to meet

Numbers 22:37
HEB: בָּלָ֜ק אֶל־ בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלֹא֩ שָׁלֹ֨חַ
NAS: said to Balaam, Did I not urgently
KJV: said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly
INT: Balak to Balaam not urgently

61 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1109
61 Occurrences

bil·‘ām — 52 Occ.
lə·ḇil·‘ām — 4 Occ.
ū·ḇil·‘ām — 1 Occ.
ḇil·‘ām — 4 Occ.