Bible Strands
Joshua 13:22
The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua records the territorial boundaries and military actions to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh during the final distribution of the conquered Transjordan. The narrative occurs after Moses’ death and the completion of the initial conquest campaigns.
The words — הַ/קּוֹסֵם (ha./ko.Sem) translates literally as "the diviner," and הָרְג֧וּ (ha.re.Gu) means "they killed." These terms identify Balaam’s professional role and confirm his physical execution alongside the Midianite leaders.
The thread — The text echoes Numbers 31:8, which first reports Balaam’s death during the Midianite campaign, and anticipates his later biblical reputation as a corruptor of Israel, cited in 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that God’s judgment against those who oppose His people is executed through historical agents. It requires readers to track how specific individuals named in conquest accounts become reference points for later warnings against spiritual compromise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
Cross-references
- Numbers 31:8 Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
- 2 Peter 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
- Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
- Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
- Numbers 22:5 he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
- Numbers 24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
- Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.