# Balaam #

## Facts: ##

Balaam was a pagan prophet whom King Balek hired to curse Israel while they were camped at the Jordan River in northern Moab, preparing to enter the land of Canaan.

* Balaam was from the city of Pethor, which was located in the region around the Euphrates River, about 400 miles away from the land of Moab.
* The Midianite king, Balek, was afraid of the strength and numbers of the Israelites, so he hired Balaam to curse them.
* As Balaam was traveling toward Israel, an angel of God stood in his path so that Balaam's donkey stopped. God also gave the donkey the ability to speak to Balaam.
* God did not allow Balaam to curse the Israelites and commanded him to bless them instead.
* Later however, Balaam still brought evil on the Israelites when he influenced them to worship the false god Baal-peor.

(Translation suggestions: [Translate Names](https://git.door43.org/Door43/en-ta-translate-vol1/src/master/content/translate_names.md))

(See also: [bless, blessed, blessing](../kt/bless.md) **·** [Canaan, Canaanite](../other/canaan.md) **·** [curse, cursed](../kt/curse.md) **·** [donkey, mule](../other/donkey.md) **·** [Euphrates](../other/euphrates.md) **·** [Jordan River](../other/jordanriver.md),[Midian, Midianites](../other/midian.md) **·** [moab](../other/moab.md) **·** [peor](../other/peor.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [2 Peter 02:15-16](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/2pe/02/15)
* [Deuteronomy 23:3-4](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/deu/23/03)
* [Joshua 13:22-23](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jos/13/22)
* [Numbers 22:5-6](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/num/22/05)
* [Revelation 02:14-15](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/rev/02/14)