Balaam

Balaam, the son of Beor or Bosor, a Chaldean prophet who dwelt at Pethor, in Mesopotamia. When the Israelites, on their way into Palestine, came to the borders of Moab, Balak, the Moabite king, sent for Balaam to curse them At first he refused to obey, being warned by heaven against complying. Finally, receiving a modified permission, he set out without waiting for a summons, and an angel, visible only to the ass that he was riding, barred his path. What ensued is recounted in Numbers xxii. to xxiv. Balaam, with the sanction of God, arrived at Kirjath-Huzoth, Balak's capital, but instead of cursing the Israelite host, was constrained to bless them three times. He returned to Pethor, after advising Balak to use the Moabite women as an instrument for leading the Hebrews into idolatry. Moses at God's bidding then took up arms against the insidious foe, and in the battle that followed Balaam was slain.