Man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Beor was the father of Balaam, a pagan prophet from Pethor.
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Also known as Bezer · Bosor
Beor was the father of Balaam, a well-known prophet from Pethor in Mesopotamia (Num. 22:5). Balaam was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land (Num. 22-24). Despite Balak's intentions, God used Balaam to bless Israel instead of cursing them (Num. 23-24).
However, Balaam later played a role in leading the Israelites into sin by promoting idolatry and sexual immorality (Num. 31:8, 16). As a result, Balaam was killed by the Israelites when they defeated the Midianites (Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:22).
Balaam's story is referenced several times in the Bible as a warning against greed and the abuse of spiritual gifts (Deut. 23:4-5; Josh. 24:9-10; Mic. 6:5; 2Pet. 2:15-16). Despite his initial obedience to God, Balaam's later actions demonstrate the dangers of compromising one's faith for personal gain.
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9 verses in 5 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H1160
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.
and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
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.