בִּלְעָם (bil.am)
bil.am
Balaam; Bileam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 54 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper noun Bil’am refers primarily to a well-known prophet from the Old Testament, the son of Beor. His name translates to "devourer of peoples" or "not of the people," reflecting his reputation as an outsider who possessed genuine prophetic gifts. He first appears in Numbers 22:5 when King Balak of Moab hires him to curse the Israelites, a story that dominates his biblical narrative.
Although Bil’am is frequently mentioned in Scripture—appearing in fifty-four verses across books like Numbers, Joshua, and Nehemiah—he is portrayed with complexity. While he initially refuses to curse God’s people, later traditions associate him with leading Israel into sin through deceit (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). The name also identifies a town in the tribe of Manasseh and serves as an alternative spelling for Ibleam.
Translators consistently render this Hebrew name as Balaam in English Bibles. The lexical sources highlight that his story serves as a cautionary example of how even those with spiritual insight can be swayed by greed, contrasting his initial obedience to God with his eventual compromise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Bil’am appears fifty-four times in Scripture, primarily anchoring the dramatic narrative in Numbers 22 where King Balak hires him to curse Israel. This story reveals a complex tension: God grants Bil’am genuine prophetic insight, yet his heart remains divided by greed and ambition. The account shows that spiritual gifts do not guarantee moral integrity, reminding us that our motives matter as much as our abilities.
For your faith life, this word serves as a sobering mirror. It invites you to examine where you seek approval or reward from people rather than obedience to God. Bil’am’s journey warns against compromising truth for personal gain, while also highlighting God’s power to use even flawed instruments to accomplish His purposes. We are called to pursue sincerity over spectacle.
Ultimately, the narrative points to God’s sovereignty. He protects His people and speaks through unexpected means, including a donkey’s voice. This offers comfort: no scheme against your calling can succeed when God stands guard. May we learn from Bil’am’s mistakes, choosing humility and faithfulness in every step of our walk with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 54 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Balaam53×
- to/ Balaam3×
- and/ Balaam1×
- <to>/ Balaam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּלְעָ֔ם12×
- בִּלְעָם֙9×
- בִּלְעָ֑ם7×
- בִּלְעָ֗ם6×
- בִּלְעָ֖ם6×
- בִּלְעָ֣ם3×
- בִּלְעָ֜ם3×
- בִלְעָ֑ם2×
- לְ/בִלְעָם֙1×
- לְ/בִלְעָ֥ם1×
- לְ/בִלְעָ֔ם1×
- לְ/בִלְעָ֑ם1×
Key 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.
This verse introduces Bil’am as the target of Balak’s political maneuvering, establishing him as a prophet whose words were feared by nations.
-
Numbers 22:18
Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more.
Here Bil’am explicitly rejects bribery, stating he cannot go beyond God’s command even for vast wealth, highlighting his initial resistance to corruption.
-
Numbers 22:31
Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
God opens Bil’am’s eyes to the angel with a drawn sword, revealing that divine opposition was present despite Bil’am’s mistaken belief he was following God’s will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Bil’am mean?
Why is Bil’am mentioned in the New Testament?
How does Bil’am’s story relate to modern faith?
Every Occurrence (54 verses across 4 books)
Numbers 49 verses
He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his…
Numbers 22:7The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam,…
Numbers 22:8He said to them, “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me.” The princes of…
Numbers 22:9God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”
Numbers 22:10Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,
Numbers 22:12God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
Numbers 22:13Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to…
Numbers 22:14The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
Numbers 22:16They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Balak the son of Zippor says, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
Numbers 22:18Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the…
Numbers 22:20God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the…
Numbers 22:21Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
Numbers 22:23The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the…
Numbers 22:25The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He…
Numbers 22:27The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his…
Numbers 22:28Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these…
Numbers 22:29Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have…
Numbers 22:30The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever…
Numbers 22:31Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand;…
Numbers 22:34Balaam said to Yahweh’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore,…
Numbers 22:35Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So…
Numbers 22:36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the…
Numbers 22:37Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed…
Numbers 22:38Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word…
Numbers 22:39Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
Numbers 22:40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.
Numbers 22:41In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the…
Numbers 23:1Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”
Numbers 23:2Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.
Numbers 23:3Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he…
Numbers 23:4God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every…
Numbers 23:5Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”
Numbers 23:11Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them…
Numbers 23:16Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”
Numbers 23:25Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”
Numbers 23:26But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do’?”
Numbers 23:27Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them…
Numbers 23:28Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
Numbers 23:29Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.”
Numbers 23:30Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.
Numbers 24:1When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he…
Numbers 24:2Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
Numbers 24:3He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
Numbers 24:10Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my…
Numbers 24:12Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
Numbers 24:15He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;
Numbers 24:25Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
Numbers 31:8They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian.…
Numbers 31:16Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the…