Bible Name Meaning Tool — Search Any Name (KJV)

Balaam

Pronounced BAY-lum

boy

✓ In the King James Bible — Yes — Balaam appears in the King James Bible, including Numbers 22:28.

Meaning: "Devourer of the people; Lord of the people"
Origin: Hebrew

Balaam means "devourer of the people" or "lord of the people" in Hebrew. He was a prophet-for-hire from Mesopotamia whose encounter with a talking donkey and whose inability to curse Israel make his story one of the Bible's most colorful narratives. King Balak of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel as they approached the Promised Land. On the journey, Balaam's donkey saw the Angel of the LORD blocking the path and refused to move. After Balaam struck the donkey three times, God opened the animal's mouth: "What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" Then God opened Balaam's eyes to see the angel. Three times Balak set up altars for Balaam to curse Israel, and three times God turned the curses into blessings. Balaam's most famous oracle includes the messianic prophecy: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Yet Balaam's story doesn't end well. Unable to curse Israel directly, he counseled Balak to seduce Israel through Moabite women and idol worship — a strategy that succeeded. The New Testament uses Balaam as a warning about those who use spiritual gifts for profit.

Spiritual meaning

Balaam — who could prophesy beautifully but lived corruptly — warns that spiritual gifting without spiritual integrity is the most dangerous combination. He spoke God's words but served his own greed.

Related verses (KJV)

"And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?"
Numbers 22:28 (KJV) →
"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab."
Numbers 24:17 (KJV) →

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