Amaw, a place near the Euphrates, where Balaam son of Beor lived.
Also known as people
Amaw is mentioned in Numbers 22:5 as the place where Balaam son of Beor lived. Balaam was a prophet or diviner who was summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land. The verse describes Amaw as being near the river, likely referring to the Euphrates River, in the land of the Amawites.
The exact location of Amaw is uncertain, but it was probably situated in the region of Aram-naharaim (Aram of the two rivers), which is associated with the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia. This places Amaw in a region known for its ancient civilizations and cultural influences.
Apart from its association with Balaam, no other information about Amaw is provided in the Bible. Its mention in the context of Balaam's story highlights the international scope of his reputation as a diviner and the far-reaching concern surrounding the Israelites' advance toward Canaan.
Approximate location: 36.655, 38.069 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
1 verse in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H5971
he sent messengers to summon 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.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.