Βαλαάμ
Balaám
G903 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: Balaam – the personal name of a non-Israelite diviner from Pethor in Mesopotamia, known primarily from biblical narratives (Numbers 22–24, Deuteronomy, and other references). Used specifically for this individual, with no application beyond the personal name in Greek and early Christian literature. The meaning is restricted to the figure known as 'Balaam' and carries no generic sense; all NT and LXX occurrences refer to this individual either directly or symbolically.
Semantic Range
Balaam (the Mesopotamian diviner); archetype of false prophecy or misleading teaching (in symbolic or typological application); never used generically
Root / Etymology
From Hebrew בִּלְעָם (Bilʿām), transmitted through the Septuagint and adopted unchanged into Greek as a personal name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Βαλαάμ is exclusively a proper name in biblical Greek, referring to Balaam, the Mesopotamian diviner or soothsayer consulted by king Balak of Moab (Numbers 22–24). In the Septuagint, the name is a transliteration from the Hebrew. In the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14), Balaam is mentioned as an archetypal example of a false prophet or one whose actions lead others into wrongdoing, reflecting an established interpretive tradition within Second Temple and early Christian literature. The name also appears symbolically to refer to those exhibiting similar negative traits in opposition to faithfulness. English translations routinely render Βαλαάμ as 'Balaam,' following both the Hebrew and Greek forms. There is no evidence that the Greek term acquires a meaning independently of the personal name; its use is always specific to the biblical character. The connotations associated with Balaam in post-biblical literature stem from interpretation of his story rather than from any lexical property of the name itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (בִּלְעָם); Balaam, a Mesopotamian (symbolic of a false teacher):--Balaam.
Root Family
Βαλαάμ (Balaam) — proper name, Balaam
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G903-01 |
Βαλαὰμ | balaam | N GEN M SG |
of Balaam | of Balaam | Balaam | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G903-01 |
2 Peter 2:15 | Βαλαὰμ | balaam | N GEN M SG |
of Balaam | of Balaam | Balaam |
G903-01 |
Jude 1:11 | Βαλαὰμ | balaam | N GEN M SG |
Balaam | of Balaam | Balaam |
G903-01 |
Revelation 2:14 | Βαλαάμ | balaam | N GEN M SG |
of Balaam | of Balaam | Balaam |