thumb|upright=1.4|Balaam and the angel, painting from Gustav Jaeger, 1836 Balaam (; ), son of Beor, was a biblical character, a non-Israelite prophet and diviner who lived in Pethor, a place identified with the ancient city of Pitru, thought to have been located between the region of Iraq and northern Syria in what is now southeastern Turkey. According to chapters 22-24 of the Book of Numbers, he was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel, but instead he blessed the Israelites, as dictated by God. Subsequently, the plan to entice the Israelites into idol worship and sexual immorality is attributed to him. Balaam is also mentioned in the Book of Micah.
thumb|upright=14|balaam and the angel painting from gustav jaeger 1836 balaam (; ) son of beor was a biblical character a non-israelite prophet and diviner who lived in pethor a place identified with the ancient city of pitru thought to have been located between the region of iraq and northern syria in what is now southeastern turkey according to chapters 22-24 of the book of numbers he was hired by king balak of moab to curse israel but instead he blessed the israelites as dictated by god subsequently the plan to entice the israelites into idol worship and sexual immorality is attributed to him balaam is also mentioned in the book of micah