<P> Balaam / ˈbeɪlæm / (Hebrew: בִּלְעָם ‬, Standard Bilʻam Tiberian Bileʻām) is a diviner in the Torah, his story begins in Chapter 22 in the Book of Numbers (Hebrew: במדבר ‬). Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not clearly identified . Though some sources may only describe the positive blessings he delivers upon the Israelites, he is reviled as a "wicked man" in both Torah and its commentaries, as well as in the New Testament . Balaam refused to speak what God did not speak and would not curse the Israelites, even though King Balak of Moab offered him money to do so (Numbers 22--24). But Balaam's error and the source of his wickedness came from sabotaging the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land . According to Revelation 2: 14, Balaam told King Balak how to get the Israelites to commit sin by enticing them with sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols . The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and God sent a deadly plague to them as a result (Numbers 31: 16). </P> <P> The main story of Balaam occurs during the sojourn of the Israelites in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, at the close of 40 years of wandering, shortly before the death of Moses and the crossing of the Jordan . The Israelites have already defeated two kings in Transjordan: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan . Balak, king of Moab, consequently becomes alarmed, and sends elders of Midian and his Moabite messengers, to Balaam, son of Beor, to induce him to come and curse Israel . Balaam's location, Pethor, is simply given as "which is by the river of the land of the children of his people" in the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, though the Samaritan Pentateuch, Vulgate, and Peshitta all identify his land as Ammon . </P> <P> Balaam sends back word that he can only do what YHWH commands, and God has, via a nocturnal dream, told him not to go . Balak consequently sends higher - ranking priests and offers Balaam honours; Balaam continues to press God, and God finally permits him to go but with instructions to say only what he commands . Balaam then sets out in the morning with the princes of Moab . God becomes angry that he went, and sends the Angel of the Lord (Numbers 22: 22) to prevent him . At first, the angel is seen only by the donkey Balaam is riding, which tries to avoid the angel . After Balaam starts punishing the donkey for refusing to move, it is miraculously given the power to speak to Balaam (Numbers 22: 28), and it complains about Balaam's treatment . At this point, Balaam is allowed to see the angel, who informs him that the donkey is the only reason the angel did not kill Balaam . Balaam immediately repents, but is told to go on . </P> <P> Balak meets with Balaam at Kirjat Huzoth, and they go to the "high places of Baal", and offer sacrifices on seven altars, leading to Balaam being given a prophecy by Yahweh, which he speaks to Balak . However, the prophecy blesses Israel; Balak remonstrates, but Balaam reminds him that he can only speak the words put in his mouth, so Balak takes him to another "high place" at Pisgah, to try again . Building another seven altars here, and making sacrifices on each, Balaam provides another prophecy blessing Israel . </P>

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