Joshua 13:22
Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook Balaam's death as just another casualty, but his inclusion here highlights the finality of God's judgment. He was a sorcerer who tried to curse God's people, and his end among the slain signifies that even potent spiritual manipulation ultimately bows to divine authority.
This passage appears in the midst of the lengthy description of land distribution after the conquest of Canaan. It's a historical record, recalling that among the enemies defeated and killed by Israel were the princes of Sihon, and notably, Balaam himself. This inclusion emphasizes divine justice, showing that Balaam, who had schemed to curse Israel, ultimately met his end with the very people whose destruction he had plotted.
Understand the original words
qesem · Hebrew Noun
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or hidden things through occult, demonic, or magical means. It is strictly forbidden in Scripture as it constitutes an attempt to circumvent reliance on God's revealed will.
The death of Balaam, a sorcerer who sought to curse Israel, is recounted here within the context of dividing the land. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human malice and that divine judgment will fall upon those who oppose His people.
c. 1400 BC
Israel's Journey from Egypt
After escaping slavery in Egypt, the Israelites journeyed for 40 years in the wilderness, eventually reaching the borders of the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Sihon and Og
Before entering the Promised Land, Israel fought and defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, securing territory east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Balaam's Plot and Judgment
Balaam, hired by Moab and Midian to curse Israel, instead blessed them. Later, he advised the Midianites on how to lead Israel into idolatry and sexual sin, resulting in a plague and God's command for vengeance against the Midianites.
c. 1400 BC
Extermination of Midianites
In obedience to God's command, the Israelites waged war against the Midianites, killing all the men, including the five princes of Midian and Balaam himself.
This passage directly recounts the death of Balaam at the hands of Israel, providing the historical context for its inclusion in Joshua's recounting of conquered lands and peoples.
Numbers 25:1-9This event highlights the reason Balaam was killed: he advised the Midianites to lure Israel into sin through their women, a scheme that led to Israel's spiritual downfall and a plague, showing the devastating consequences of his sorcery.
2 Peter 2:15-16This New Testament passage explicitly condemns Balaam for his wicked counsel, referring to him as a prophet who loved the wages of unrighteousness and whose foolish divination led people astray.
Micah 6:5This prophetic verse directly references the events at Shittim and the counsel of Balaam from Peor, demonstrating how Balaam's treachery was remembered and used as a warning against unfaithfulness centuries later.
calvinJoshua 13:15-33: "And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families."
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Et omnes urbes planitiei, et universum regnum Sihon regis Aemorrhaei, qui regnabat in Hesbon, quem percussit Moses: et prin…
bensonJoshua 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."
Joshua 13:22 . Were slain by them — This was recorded before, ( Numbers 31:8 ,) and is here repeated, because the defeating of Balaam’s purpose to curse Israel, and the turning that curse into a blessing, was such an instance of the power and goodness of God, as was fit to be had in everlasting rememberance.
It's easy to overlook Balaam's death as just another casualty, but his inclusion here highlights the finality of God's judgment. He was a sorcerer who tried to curse God's people, and his end among the slain signifies that even potent spiritual manipulation ultimately bows to divine authority.
This passage appears in the midst of the lengthy description of land distribution after the conquest of Canaan. It's a historical record, recalling that among the enemies defeated and killed by Israel were the princes of Sihon, and notably, Balaam himself. This inclusion emphasizes divine justice, showing that Balaam, who had schemed to curse Israel, ultimately met his end with the very people whose destruction he had plotted.
This passage appears in the midst of the lengthy description of land distribution after the conquest of Canaan. It's a historical record, recalling that among the enemies defeated and killed by Israel were the princes of Sihon, and notably, Balaam himself. This inclusion emphasizes divine justice, showing that Balaam, who had schemed to curse Israel, ultimately met his end with the very people whose destruction he had plotted.
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c. 1390 BC
Division of Land East of Jordan
Moses distributed the conquered lands east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as recorded in this chapter.
"Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain." — It's easy to overlook Balaam's death as just another casualty, but his inclusion here highlights the finality of God's judgment. He was a sorcerer who tried to curse God's people, and his end among t…
