בְּעוֹר (be.or)
be.or
Beor
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Beor appears in the Hebrew Bible as a patriarchal figure, occurring nine times across books such as Genesis, Numbers, Joshua, and Micah. Lexical sources identify him primarily as the father of Balaam, the prophet whose story unfolds in Numbers 22–24. He is also noted as the father of Bela, a king of Edom mentioned in Genesis 36:32.
The name itself translates to "burning." This etymology provides a striking contrast to the narrative surrounding his son Balaam, who was hired for profit yet ultimately unable to curse Israel. While the name suggests fire or intensity, the biblical text focuses on Beor’s lineage rather than any personal deeds of his own.
Beor serves as a crucial genealogical link in these passages. His mention anchors the story of Balaam within a specific historical and familial context, connecting the events in Moab to earlier patriarchal records. Translators consistently render the name as Beor, preserving its identity across different scriptural contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beor appears in Scripture not as a central character, but as a vital link in a family line. It identifies the father of Balaam and Bela, anchoring two very different stories within the broader history of Israel and Edom. In Genesis and Chronicles, his son Bela rules in Edom, showing how nations rise and fall across generations. In Numbers and Joshua, Beor is the parent of Balaam, a prophet whose story reveals that God’s plans cannot be bought or cursed by human effort.
For your faith, this reminds us that our identity is often tied to those who came before us, yet God’s purpose stands firm regardless of our lineage. Whether in the rise of kings or the failure of mercenaries, Scripture shows that God remains sovereign. You can trust that His word will accomplish what He intends, even when circumstances seem uncertain. This historical detail invites you to rest in the reliability of God’s promises across time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beor9×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּע֖וֹר2×
- בְּע֔וֹר2×
- בְּע֑וֹר2×
- בְעֹ֔ר2×
- בְּע֗וֹר1×
Key Verses
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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 Balaam as 'the son of Beor,' establishing the familial context for a prophet who would later defy his own employers.
-
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.
Here, Beor’s name marks the final judgment on his son, showing that Balaam’s influence was ultimately cut down by divine justice.
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Genesis 36:32
Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.
This occurrence links Beor to Edom through his son Bela, demonstrating how genealogies preserve the history of neighboring nations.