10 Interesting Facts About Balaam in the Bible

Balaam is a mysterious figure in the Old Testament. He wasn’t an Israelite, but he spoke to God. His story shows how God uses even flawed people for His purpose—and warns us about greed, pride, and compromise.

1. Balaam Was a Prophet, But Not an Israelite

Balaam lived in Mesopotamia, far from Israel. He was not part of God’s chosen people, yet he had a reputation for spiritual insight.

“He sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land.”
—Numbers 22:5 (NIV)

2. King Balak Hired Him to Curse Israel

Balak, king of Moab, feared Israel’s growing strength and wanted Balaam to weaken them with a curse.

“Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.”
—Numbers 22:6 (NIV)

3. God Told Balaam Not to Go

When Balaam asked God about Balak’s request, God made His will very clear.

“But God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.’”
—Numbers 22:12 (NIV)

4. Balaam Was Offered Wealth and Honor

Balak sent more messengers, this time with promises of reward and promotion.

“Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.”
—Numbers 22:18 (NIV)

5. God Allowed Balaam to Go—but With a Warning

Eventually, God gave Balaam permission to go, but told him to only speak God’s words.

“Go with them, but do only what I tell you.”
—Numbers 22:20 (NIV)

“But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him.”
—Numbers 22:22 (NIV)

6. Balaam’s Donkey Saw an Angel

As Balaam rode his donkey, the angel of the Lord blocked the path three times. The donkey stopped each time, saving Balaam’s life.

“When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field.”
—Numbers 22:23 (NIV)

7. God Opened the Donkey’s Mouth

Then, something miraculous happened—the donkey spoke.

“Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’”
—Numbers 22:28 (NIV)

8. Balaam Blessed Israel Instead of Cursing Them

Three times Balaam tried to curse Israel but ended up blessing them instead.

“How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?”
—Numbers 23:8 (NIV)

“God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.”
—Numbers 23:22 (NIV)

“No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The Lord their God is with them.”
—Numbers 23:21 (NIV)

9. Balaam Prophesied a Future Ruler

In Balaam’s final oracle, he foretold a ruler who would come from Jacob. Many believe this points to Jesus.

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
—Numbers 24:17 (NIV)

10. Balaam Led Israel into Sin

Although Balaam obeyed publicly, he privately gave Moab advice to lead Israel into idolatry and sin.

“They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the Peor incident.”
—Numbers 31:16 (NIV)

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin.”
—Revelation 2:14 (NIV)

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