Balaam

[bey-luhm]

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.

Balaam

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

• Balaamite noun
• Balaamitical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Balaam¹

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

Example Sentences

The other sibling, Harry, was found wrapped in a white blanket in Balaam Street, Plaistow, in September 2017.

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He successfully towed the car free, but when he got out, the plough began to move while unattended, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said at the time.

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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.

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Renner successfully towed the car free, but when he got out, the plough began to move while empty, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said at the time.

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

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