Balaam

American  

[bey-luhm] / ˈbeɪ ləm /

noun

1. (in the Bible) a Mesopotamian diviner who, when commanded by Balak to curse the Israelites, blessed them and uttered favorable prophecies after having been rebuked by the ass he rode.

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Balaam British  

/ ˈbeɪlæm /

noun

1. Old Testament a Mesopotamian diviner who, when summoned to curse the Israelites, prophesied future glories for them instead, after being reproached by his ass (Numbers 22–23)

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Other Word Forms

• Balaamite noun
• Balaamitical adjective

Etymology

Origin of Balaam

From Late Latin Balaam, from Greek Balaám, from Hebrew Bilʿām, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Renner was trying to get back into the driver's seat to stop it moving, when the "extremely large" piece of equipment ran him over, Mr Balaam added.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2024

"He was being a great neighbor and he was plowing those roads for his neighbor," Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam told CNN.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2023

Investigators will inspect the snowplow for possible mechanical failure to determine why it started to roll, Balaam said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2023

In a news conference Tuesday, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam called it a “tragic accident,” adding that there was no indication of foul play.

From Washington Post • Jan. 4, 2023

One of the company observed that he thought Balaam had no sword, but only wished for one.

From Ever Heard This? Over Three Hundred Good Stories by Chambers, F. W.