Balaam

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Balaam

(bā`ləm), the central character in an amalgam of Israelite traditions found in the Book of Numbers. Hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Hebrews encamped in the Jordan valley, Balaam could only bless them. Later, Balaam seduced the Israelites to commit evil, an act for which he was killed.

Balaam

vaticinally speaks with Jehovah’s voice. [O.T.: Numbers 23:8–10; 24:18–24]

See: Prophecy

Balaam

Old Testament a Mesopotamian diviner who, when summoned to curse the Israelites, prophesied future glories for them instead, after being reproached by his ass (Numbers 22--23)

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References in periodicals archive ?

It utilizes translations of the sacred books of these peoples, such as the Codex Florentinus of the Aztecs and Les propheties du Chilam Bilam of the Mayas.

La fete chantee et autres essais de theme amerindian

As in the books of the Yucatec Mayas' Chilam Bilam or in the apparition of the gods meeting on the mountain of Xanoata Hucatzio in the Relacion de Michoacan, the most ancient dreams associated with the prophecies thus meet up with reality, but only to bring about the destruction of the dreaming peoples.