Beor בְּעוֹר
Father of Balaam
Biography
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; 2 Pet. 2:15-16). Despite his initial obedience to God, Balaam's later actions demonstrate the dangers of compromising one's faith for personal gain.
Family
In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 4 with study contentNumbers 4 verses
- Numbers 22:5
"He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me."
- Numbers 24:3
"He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;"
- Numbers 24:15
"He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;"
- Numbers 31:8
"They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword."
Deuteronomy 1 verse
- Deuteronomy 23:4
"because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you."
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Joshua 2 verses
- Joshua 13:22
"The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 24:9
"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. He sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,"
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Micah 1 verse
- Micah 6:5
"My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”"
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2 Peter 1 verse
- 2 Peter 2:15
"forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בְּעוֹר | H1160H |
| Greek | Greek | Βοσόρ, Βεώρ | G1007 |