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The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas
The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.
Balaam, the prophet for hire
The seer from beyond the Euphrates whom Moab's king hired to curse Israel, who could only bless, and who then, Numbers says, showed Midian how to lead Israel into sin. Jewish tradition remembered him as the greatest prophet of the Gentiles and a byword for greed.
The expert who sells his gift to whoever pays. In Numbers 22 to 24 the king of Moab hires Balaam to curse Israel, and on the way his donkey sees God's angel before the prophet does. Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead. But Numbers 31 says that he later advised the Midianites, and Israel fell into sexual sin and the worship of other gods. Jewish readers remembered him as a powerful prophet who used his gift for money and for harm.
In Jewish tradition, and in the likeliest reading of the Old Testament, Balaam was dishonorable. Keener explains that he took money to lure Israel into sacred prostitution with Midian, which brought judgment on Israel and death on himself (Numbers 31:8, 16; Joshua 13:22). Jewish literature counted him the greatest prophet of the Gentiles, sometimes their philosopher. It judged his scheme worse than any enemy's attack because it brought God's judgment on Israel. Inspired, he knew God blessed those who blessed Israel, yet for wealth he showed Israel's enemies how to strip away God's protection. Josephus has Balaam tell the Midianites to "set out the handsomest of such of your daughters as are most eminent for beauty". The aim was to draw the young Hebrews away from their laws to the gods of Midian, and the Midianites do so (Antiquities 4.6.6-7). Philo made Balaam a figure for fools, the rabbis said that those who walk in his paths inherit hell, and tradition lengthened the donkey's rebuke. The CSB Study Bible notes that the donkey showed more moral sense than its rider. The ESV Study Bible stresses his greed, a life of gain at others' expense. Jewish tradition made Cain and Balaam symbols of leaders in wickedness, and Korah, who rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16), the standard rebel against the law. The ESV Study Bible says all three were discontent with the place God gave them. In Revelation 2:14 Balaam is probably a nickname for a local teacher who claimed to speak for God, as Jezebel is at Thyatira. Beale notes that rabbis explained the name Balaam much as Nicolaitan can be explained: he overcomes the people.
An analogy: a celebrated consultant who, denied one fee, quietly sells the other side a better plan. People remember the talent, and they remember the betrayal more.
Because Balaam was remembered as a gifted prophet who sold his gift and led Israel into sin, false teachers who follow the way of Balaam in 2 Peter 2:15 stand accused of greed and of leading others into immorality. Jude 11 sets him beside Cain and Korah, and Revelation 2:14 names his teaching at Pergamum, where it means eating food offered to idols and sexual immorality.
Not a free agent selling his own ideas. A consultant owns his expertise. Balaam's gift was prophecy from God: in Numbers he speaks true oracles and blesses Israel, and the tradition faults him for selling advice that stripped away the very protection he had announced.
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- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/jude-8-13\/","n":"Jude 8-13, Michael and the body of Moses, and hidden reefs at the love feasts","s":"The intruders claim dream visions, defile the body, despise authority and slander the glorious ones, though the archangel Michael, disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to slander him but left the rebuke to the Lord. They have taken the way of Cain, Balaam and Korah; they are hidden reefs at the love feasts, waterless clouds, wild waves and wandering stars.","r":"Jude 8-13"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-12-17\/","n":"Revelation 2:12-17, Pergamum, where Satan's throne is","s":"To Pergamum Jesus, who wields the sword of judgment, says they have stayed loyal in a city he calls Satan's seat, even after the martyrdom of Antipas. But some follow teaching like Balaam's that leads to idol meals and immorality. The faithful are promised hidden heavenly food and a white stone carrying a new name.","r":"Revelation 2:12-17"}
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on 2 Peter 2:15 and 2:16, and on Jude 11
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on 2 Peter 2:15 and 2:16
- Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 4.6.6-7, trans. William Whiston
- ESV Study Bible, study notes on 2 Peter 2:15-16 and Jude 11
- CSB Study Bible, note on 2 Peter 2:10b-22
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Revelation 2:14-15 and 2:19-20
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Revelation 2:14 and 2:20
- G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, on Revelation 2:14-15
