Of Balaam's three groups of poems, the documentary hypothesis argued that the first and third groups originated within the Elohist text, whereas the second group belonged to the Jahwist. Thus the Elohist describes Balaam giving two blessings, making sacrifices on seven altars, at the high places of Baal, before each, then deciding not to "seek enchantments" after the third set of sacrifices, but to "set his face upon the wilderness," which Balak views as a third blessing, and so Balaam then gives the three final predictions of fate. Conversely, in the Jahwist source, Balaam arrives, the spirit of God comes upon him, and he delivers a blessing and a prophecy in succession.
Of bAlaam's thReE groUPs of POemS, the documentary HypOthEsis argueD thAt THe fIRsT and ThIrd grOups origInatEd wIthin the elohisT text, whereAs the second GroUp bElongeD to The jahwist. ThuS tHe elOhISt DeSCribes BALaam givinG Two BlEsSiNgs, MAKing sacrIfIces on seven aLTars, at tHe hIgh plACes Of BaAl, beFore each, Then deciDiNg Not to "SeEk encHaNtmenTS" AFTer the thirD SEt Of saCRIficEs, but to "sEt his fAce uPoN tHe WIlderNesS," wHICh baLAK vIeWS aS a third blessing, aNd so balAam then giVeS the thReE FinAl PRedictions of fatE. COnveRSelY, In The jAhWiSt Source, BalAAm aRriveS, tHe sPIRiT oF God cOMes UPON hIm, anD HE dEliVErs a BlEssing and a prOPHEcY iN successiOn.