Joshua 13:22

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

Balaam {H1109} also the son {H1121} of Beor {H1160}, the soothsayer {H7080}, did the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} slay {H2026} with the sword {H2719} among them {H413} that were slain {H2491} by them.

Along with the others the people of Isra'el killed with the sword, they also struck down Bil'am the son of B'or, who practiced divination.

The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among the rest of their slain.

Commentary

Joshua 13:22 serves as a concise, yet significant, historical note within the larger narrative of Israel's land distribution. It confirms the ultimate fate of Balaam, a figure infamous for his interactions with Israel.

Context

This verse is a parenthetical insertion within the description of the territory allotted to the tribe of Reuben. While the surrounding verses detail the boundaries and cities, Joshua 13:22 specifically highlights that Balaam was among the kings and leaders slain by Israel during their conquest of the land east of the Jordan. His demise is directly tied to the war against the Midianites, as recorded in the book of Numbers.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice: Balaam's death at the hands of the Israelites underscores the principle of divine retribution. Despite his initial inability to curse Israel and his prophetic utterances that blessed them (Numbers 23:8), he later advised Balak to tempt Israel into sin through idolatry and immorality (Numbers 31:16). His end was a direct consequence of this wicked counsel.
  • Consequences of Deception and Greed: Balaam, though possessing spiritual insight, allowed his greed for gain to corrupt his integrity and lead him to oppose God's people indirectly. His story serves as a stark warning against those who use spiritual gifts or knowledge for selfish ends.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even a powerful soothsayer like Balaam could not escape God's ultimate judgment or thwart His plan for Israel. God's purposes prevail despite human or demonic opposition.

Linguistic Insight

The term "soothsayer" (Hebrew: qosem, קֹב֡ם) is crucial here. It refers to a diviner or one who practices forbidden arts of divination and magic. This contrasts sharply with a true prophet of God who speaks God's revealed word. Balaam's identification as a qosem emphasizes his pagan practices, despite his momentary encounters with the true God. Such practices were strictly forbidden by God in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

Cross-References and Connections

  • Balaam's full story begins in Numbers 22, where he is hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel.
  • His death is also explicitly mentioned in Numbers 31:8, during Israel's punitive war against the Midianites for their role in the sin of Peor.
  • The New Testament references "the doctrine of Balaam" (Revelation 2:14), highlighting his enduring legacy as a symbol of spiritual compromise and leading others into idolatry and immorality.

Practical Application

Joshua 13:22 reminds believers that God's justice will ultimately prevail against those who oppose His will or seek to lead His people astray. It serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of spiritual deception, greed, and compromising one's faith for worldly gain. True spiritual authority comes from obedience to God, not from forbidden practices or selfish ambition.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 31:8

    And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; [namely], Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

  • Jude 1:11

    Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

  • 2 Peter 2:15

    Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

  • Numbers 24:1

    ΒΆ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

  • Numbers 22:5

    He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

  • Numbers 22:7

    And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
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