Bible Names

Balaam: meaning of the name

Balaam means “the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people.”
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869)boy name

Balaam in Hebrew and Greek

בִּלְעָם H1109

Bilʻâm (bil-awm') — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine

probably from H1077 (בַּל) and H5971 (עַם); not (of the) people, i.e. foreigner;

Βαλαάμ G903

Balaám — Balaam, a Mesopotamian (symbolic of a false teacher)

of Hebrew origin (H01109);

Who named Balaam in the Bible

Balaam in Scripture

“Balaam” appears in 59 verses of the King James Version; here are the first 8.

  • Numbers 22:5

    He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

  • Numbers 22:7

    And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

  • Numbers 22:8

    And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

  • Numbers 22:9

    And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

  • Numbers 22:10

    And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

  • Numbers 22:12

    And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

  • Numbers 22:13

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

  • Numbers 22:14

    And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.