Beor: Father of Balaam
Jump to: Nave'sGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Beor is a biblical figure known primarily as the father of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet mentioned in the Old Testament. The name Beor appears in several passages, providing insight into his lineage and the context of his son Balaam's activities.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 22:5 : "So he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. 'Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,' said Balak. 'They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.'"

In this passage, Beor is identified as the father of Balaam, who is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. This introduction sets the stage for the narrative involving Balaam's interactions with God and the Israelites.

2. Numbers 24:3 : "Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: 'This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of a man whose eyes are open.'"

Here, Beor is again mentioned as Balaam's father, emphasizing Balaam's role as a seer whose prophecies are significant in the biblical narrative. The reference to Balaam as "son of Beor" underscores his identity and heritage.

3. Numbers 31:8 : "Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword."

This verse recounts the death of Balaam, son of Beor, during a battle against the Midianites. It highlights the eventual downfall of Balaam, who, despite his prophetic gifts, met a violent end.

4. Deuteronomy 23:4 : "For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your journey after you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you."

This passage reflects on the actions of the Moabites and Ammonites, who hired Balaam, son of Beor, to curse the Israelites. It serves as a reminder of the opposition faced by the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land.

5. Joshua 13:22 : "The Israelites also killed Balaam son of Beor, the diviner, along with the others they put to the sword."

In this account, Beor is mentioned in the context of his son's death, reinforcing the narrative of Balaam's demise at the hands of the Israelites.

6. Micah 6:5 : "My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD."

This verse calls upon the Israelites to remember the events involving Balak and Balaam, son of Beor, as a testament to God's righteous acts and protection over His people.

Historical and Theological Context:

Beor's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily through his son, Balaam, who is a complex figure known for his prophetic abilities and interactions with God. Balaam's account is a testament to the sovereignty of God, who can use even non-Israelite prophets to fulfill His purposes. The repeated mention of Beor as Balaam's father serves to establish Balaam's identity and background, linking him to the region of Pethor near the Euphrates.

The narrative involving Balaam and Beor highlights themes of divine intervention, the futility of opposing God's will, and the ultimate triumph of God's plans for His chosen people. Through the account of Balaam, son of Beor, the Bible illustrates the power and authority of God over all nations and individuals, regardless of their origin or intentions.
Nave's Topical Index
Numbers 22:5
He sent messengers therefore to Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
961b. beor -- Beor, father of Balaam
... 961a, 961b. beor. 962 . Beor, father of Balaam. Transliteration: beor
Short Definition: Beor. Word Origin of Hebrew origin Beor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/961b.htm - 5k

1007. Bosor -- Bosor.
... Bosor Phonetic Spelling: (bos-or') Short Definition: Bosor Definition: Bosor, father
of Balaam. Word Origin of Hebrew origin Beor Definition variant reading ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1007.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
1160. Beor -- "a burning," father of an Edomite king, also the ...
... Beor. From ba'ar (in the sense of burning); a lamp; Beor, the name of the father
of an Edomitish king; also of that of Balaam -- Beor. see HEBREW ba'ar. ...
/hebrew/1160.htm - 6k
Library

Balaam
... therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor ... 'Father of lies.' 'Nihil imbecillius
denudato diabolo.' The more one ... We look at Balaam, and think, how could a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/balaam.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... He was taken up in their sight to His God and Father, who sent ... nor every one that
casts out devils religious: for even Balaam the son of Beor the prophet ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

2 Samuel xxiii. 1-7.
... parable and said: Balaam the son of Beor prophesies, and ... it was in the fundamental
passage to Balaam, only in ... keep with Thy servant David my father what Thou ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/2 samuel xxiii 1-7.htm

"On Conscience"
... and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him ... Second Book of Kings.) To this Balaam
makes that ... Conscientiousness." [Dr. Annesley (my mother's father) was Rector ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 105 on conscience.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... translation.) "Balaam also the son of Beor they slew ... block, according to the word
of Balaam, to cause ... forgive men," saith He, "your heavenly Father will also ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

Nearest to Christ
... it is He who says, 'Come, ye blessed of My Father, enter into ... a stern comment on
the uselessness of such empty wishes, 'Balaam, the son of Beor, they slew ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/nearest to christ.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... the first Edomite king is said to have been Bela or Balaam the son of Beor, and
the ... His father-in-law, "the priest of Midian," had visited him under the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

V. ...
... Besides, he mentions his right name, for Bileaam or Balaam is he called in ... is to
say, flesh,"or, as Moses says, son of Beor, that is ... A fool is his father. ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... Reuben from his transgression and sin, in that he had lain with Bilhah, his father's
concubine; that ... For the Moabites hired Balaam the son of Beor to curse ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... honour and glory from God the Father (ie his Father), shown in ... of a town in Gilead,
which had no connexion with Balaam; it is a mistake for Beor, and the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the second epistle of st.htm

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Beor

Beor: Father of Balaam

Beor: Father of Balaam: Called Bosor

Beor: Father of Bela

Related Terms

Answer (2099 Occurrences)

Make (12882 Occurrences)

Beor (11 Occurrences)

Range (9 Occurrences)

Rust (7 Occurrences)

Live (3203 Occurrences)

Ambitious (6 Occurrences)

Presume (10 Occurrences)

Chargeable (5 Occurrences)

Put (13688 Occurrences)

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)

Get (2204 Occurrences)

Twist (5 Occurrences)

Gloom (29 Occurrences)

Languish (13 Occurrences)

Qualify (2 Occurrences)

Agree (24 Occurrences)

Side (4225 Occurrences)

Bold (21 Occurrences)

Forbear (24 Occurrences)

Disappear (13 Occurrences)

Real (26 Occurrences)

Differ (7 Occurrences)

Laugh (23 Occurrences)

Crush (50 Occurrences)

Canker (4 Occurrences)

Mate (9 Occurrences)

Credit (39 Occurrences)

Wake (34 Occurrences)

Fence (12 Occurrences)

Abhor (23 Occurrences)

Pattern (28 Occurrences)

Guest (24 Occurrences)

Quick (49 Occurrences)

For (102061 Occurrences)

Send (3254 Occurrences)

Degenerate (1 Occurrence)

Fault (42 Occurrences)

Exalt (56 Occurrences)

Usurp (1 Occurrence)

Equal (70 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Border (233 Occurrences)

Future (88 Occurrences)

Hang (37 Occurrences)

Bright (85 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Join (70 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Honey (62 Occurrences)

Wide (206 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Folly (68 Occurrences)

Render (95 Occurrences)

En-

Allowable (6 Occurrences)

Charge (379 Occurrences)

Stand (542 Occurrences)

Are (41649 Occurrences)

Watch (203 Occurrences)

Leave (341 Occurrences)

Mean (93 Occurrences)

Interpose (2 Occurrences)

Lie (291 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Lest (282 Occurrences)

Fail (130 Occurrences)

Seem (115 Occurrences)

Myself (395 Occurrences)

Memory (181 Occurrences)

Talk (164 Occurrences)

Gladden (7 Occurrences)

Whoever (1339 Occurrences)

Sleep (136 Occurrences)

Claims (12 Occurrences)

Anthropology

Fool (95 Occurrences)

Be'or
Top of Page
Top of Page