Balaam

Balaam the son of Beor lived at Pethor by the river Euphrates. Balak king of Moab, terrified by Israel's approach after their victories over the Amorites, sent princes with the rewards of divination to hire Balaam to curse the people. God told Balaam plainly, "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed." Yet when richer princes returned, Balaam pressed God for permission and was allowed to go—but only to speak the word the Lord put in his mouth.

On the journey the angel of the Lord stood with drawn sword in the way. Balaam did not see, but his donkey did and turned aside three times. Balaam smote her cruelly, until the Lord opened the ass's mouth and she rebuked him. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel, who said, "Thy way is perverse before me."

From three high places overlooking Israel's camp, Balak commanded Balaam to curse. Each time the prophet opened his mouth, blessing came forth—including the great Messianic oracle: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Balak's anger flared, but Balaam answered, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord."

Unable to curse Israel directly, Balaam advised Moab to send their women to entice Israel into the worship of Baal-peor (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). The plague that followed slew 24,000 Israelites. Balaam himself was slain by Israel's sword in the war against Midian. Peter and Jude name him as the very type of the false teacher who loves the wages of unrighteousness.