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Balaam

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Non-Israelite prophet who, despite being hired to curse Israel, was compelled by God to bless them instead (Numbers 22–24).

Detailed Definition
Balaam, a non-Israelite seer, was summoned by Balak to curse Israel but, constrained by God, delivered blessings and prophesied Christ’s star. His greed later led Israel into sin. In poetry, Balaam symbolizes the paradox of divine speech through flawed vessels, the danger of spiritual compromise for profit, and the mysterious sovereignty that turns intended curses into promises.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Balaam’s donkey and blessings (Numbers 22–24) illustrate God’s sovereignty over prophecy; In William Blake’s "The Book of Urizen," Balaam represents corrupted wisdom; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Balaam’s eyes opened to the angel prefigure revelation; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Balaam’s greed warns against prostituting gifts; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Balaam’s ass speaks truth to power; In Christina Rossetti’s "Later Life," Balaam’s intended curse becomes blessing.
Additional Notes
Balaam: Prophet hired by Balak to curse Israel but compelled to bless them (Numbers 22–24); later associated with leading Israel into sin (Num 31; Rev 2:14). Balaam embodies the tension between divine compulsion and personal greed. His talking donkey and oracles are richly poetic. In verse, he is ideal for exploring compromised prophecy, the danger of mixed motives, or the irony of blessing through unwilling lips.
Also Known As
Balaam son of Beor Balaam the Soothsayer
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