Balaam: Prophet, Magician, and a Cautionary Tale

 

Balaam is one of the more enigmatic figures mentioned in Scripture. When reading through the Torah, it can feel jarring to move suddenly from the narrative of Moses and the children of Israel to the account of a wicked prophet—one who nonetheless hears directly from Yah. With so little background provided, Balaam’s story can be difficult to understand.

However, Balaam is far more than a random antagonist. Gaining a clearer picture of who he was and how he fell sheds important light on the rebuke Yeshua gave to the assembly at Pergamum:

“But I hold a few matters against you, because you have there those who adhere to the teaching of Bil‛am (Balaam), who taught Balaq (Balak) to put a stumbling-block before the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), to eat food offered to idols, and to commit whoring.”  (Revelations 2:14) 

 Balaam, the Prophet of Yah

At first glance, this section title may appear odd. Yet a careful reading of the Torah shows that Balaam was, at one time, a genuine servant of the Most High.

“And Bil‛am (Balaam) answered and said to the servants of Balaq (Balak), “Though Balaq (Balak) were to give me his house filled with silver and gold, I am unable to go beyond the word of יהוה my Elohim, to do less or more.” (Numbers 22:18)

Balaam openly declares that Yahweh is his Elohim and that he is bound to speak only what Yah commands. This is not the confession of a man devoted to foreign gods. Rather, Balaam presents himself as a prophet of Yah—approached by the Midianites and Moabites for the specific purpose of cursing Israel.

“And he said to them, ‘Spend the night here, and I shall bring back word to you, as יהוה speaks to me.’ … And Elohim said to Bil‛am (Balaam), ‘Do not go with them. You do not curse the people, for they are blessed.’ … And Bil‛am (Balaam) rose in the morning and said to the heads of Balaq (Balak), ‘Go back to your land, for יהוה has refused to allow me to go with you.” (Numbers 22:8-13) 

Here we see Balaam not only conversing with Elohim, but obeying Him. This raises an important question: Who was Balaam before this moment, and where did he come from? The Torah gives us little background. However, the Book of Jasher—though its authenticity is debated—offers intriguing insight into Balaam’s earlier life.

Balaam, Pharaoh’s Magician

The Book of Jasher records Balaam fleeing from the land of Cush to Egypt after Moses conquered the region and captured its capital city. Balaam, who was living there at the time, escapes and returns to Egypt.

“And Balaam the magician, when he saw that the city was taken, he opened the gate and he and his two sons and eight brothers fled and returned to Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt. They are the sorcerers and magicians who are mentioned in the book of the law, standing against Moses when the Lord brought the plagues upon Egypt.” (Jasher 73:28-29)     

Later, when Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, Jasher identifies the otherwise unnamed magicians of Exodus as Balaam and his household: 

“And when they had gone Pharaoh sent for Balaam the magician and to Jannes and Jambres his sons, and to all the magicians and conjurors and counsellors which belonged to the king, and they all came and sat before the king. And the king told them all the words which Moses and his brother Aaron had spoken to him, and the magicians said to the king, But how came the men to thee, on account of the lions which were confined at the gate? And the king said, Because they lifted up their rod against the lions and loosed them, and came to me, and the lions also rejoiced at them as a dog rejoices to meet his master. And Balaam the son of Beor the magician answered the king, saying, These are none else than magicians like ourselves.” (Jasher 79:27-30)

While Jasher is not canonical Scripture, its portrayal of Balaam as a leading magician aligns remarkably well with the biblical data we do have.

From Magician to Prophet

What follows is necessarily speculative, yet it is a reasonable conclusion drawn from the available texts. If Balaam truly served in Pharaoh’s court, then he personally witnessed the plagues, the defeat of Egypt’s gods, and the undeniable supremacy of Yah. This may explain Balaam’s later confession:

“There is no sorcery effective against Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob), nor any divination against Yisra’ĕl (Israel).” (Numbers 23:23)

Scripture also explicitly contrasts Balaam’s former practices with his later prophetic role:

 “And when Bil‛am (Balaam) saw that it pleased יהוה to bless Yisra’ĕl (Israel), he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Bil‛am (Balaam) lifted up his eyes and saw Yisra’ĕl (Israel) encamped according to their tribes. And the Spirit of Elohim came upon him.” (Numbers 24:1-2)

During the Exodus, many Egyptians left Egypt after witnessing Yah’s power firsthand:

“And a mixed multitude went up with them also…”(Exodus 12:38)

It is therefore not unreasonable to suggest that Balaam may have been part of this mixed multitude—abandoning his former ways, embracing the Elohim of Israel, and finding favor as a prophet among the nation. 

Returning to Old Ways

Balaam’s true test came when Midian and Moab sought his counsel once more. Though he initially resisted their offers of wealth and honor, his resolve eventually failed. While he refused to curse Israel outright, he instead instructed their enemies on how to cause Israel to curse themselves.

“And the people began to whore with the daughters of Mo’aḇ… and bowed down to their mighty ones.” (Numbers 25:1–3)

“Look, they are the ones who caused the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), through the word of Bil‛am (Balaam), to trespass against יהוה…” (Numbers 31:16)

The scheme succeeded—and Balaam paid the ultimate price:

“And they killed Bil‛am (Balaam) son of Be‛or with the sword.” (Numbers 31:8)

Conclusion: The Teaching of Balaam 

The story of Balaam stands as a tragic warning against returning to former sins and placing stumbling blocks before the people of Elohim. Yeshua’s words in Revelation echo this lesson, as do His warnings in the Messianic writings:

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

While Yeshua speaks specifically of children, the principle extends to those young in the faith. Balaam’s legacy reminds us that spiritual knowledge and past faithfulness do not exempt one from judgment when leading others astray. 

May we take these lessons to heart: to endure in faith, to resist returning to old ways, and to guard ourselves from becoming stumbling blocks to others.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.