Birth and Ancestors
- Timeframe:
- Place:
- Father:
- Mother:
- Hebrew meaning of Name:
- Other Relatives of Note:
- Zippor (father, Numbers 22:2, 4, 10, 16; 23:7; Joshua 24:9; Judges 11:25)
- Moabites (his people, descendants of Lot, Numbers 22:3–4)-
Marriage and Descendants
- Spouse #1:
- Other Descendants of Note:
Land and Dwelling
Dwelling Places
- Moab (Numbers 22:1–4, 36; Joshua 24:9; Judges 11:25)
- Near the Arnon River (implied border region, Numbers 22:36)
Journeys
- Sent messengers to Pethor (near the Euphrates River) to summon Balaam (Numbers 22:5)
- Went to Kiriath-huzoth with Balaam (Numbers 22:39)
- Ascended to high places of Baal (bamoth-baal) for sacrifices (Numbers 22:41)
- Moved to field of Zophim on top of Pisgah (Numbers 23:14)
- Moved to top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland (Numbers 23:28)
Military
- King of Moab (Numbers 22:4, 10; Joshua 24:9; Judges 11:25)
- Feared Israel greatly because of their numbers and victories (Numbers 22:2–3)
- Allied with Midianite elders against Israel (Numbers 22:4, 7)
- Hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:5–6, 11, 17; 23:7; 24:10)
Medical and Death
Righteousness and Unrighteousness
Righteousness
Unrighteousness
- Feared Israel and sought to curse them through sorcery (Numbers 22:6; 23:7; 24:10)
- Attempted to destroy God’s people by supernatural means (Joshua 24:9–10)
- Associated with idolatry at high places of Baal and Peor (Numbers 22:41; 23:28)
Other
- Balaam’s oracles turned to blessing instead of curse (Numbers 23–24)
- YHWH frustrated his plan (Joshua 24:10)
- Later linked to Israel’s sin at Peor (Numbers 25:1–3; 31:16; Revelation 2:14)
Landmarks:
Archeology: