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)
This verse highlights Balaam's ultimate fate: he was killed by the very people he sought to curse, alongside the princes of Midian. It's significant that he's specifically identified as a "soothsayer" or "diviner," underscoring that his fatal pursuit was not just misguided, but a deliberate engagement with dark spiritual forces.
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)
The book of Joshua is detailing the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. This passage specifically lists the inheritances for the tribes of Reuben and Gad, outlining their territories and cities as allotted by Moses. Within this account of land distribution, the text pauses to mention the fate of Balaam, the sorcerer who had previously tried to curse Israel, noting that he was killed by the Israelites alongside the conquered Midianite princes.
Why is Balaam's death specifically mentioned here, long after the initial encounter?
Joshua 13 is detailing the land distribution and the elimination of enemy kingdoms. Amidst this, Balaam's demise is recorded. This isn't just a historical footnote; it's a theological statement. Balaam, who sought to curse Israel for profit, is ultimately slain by them. His 'divination' and schemes ultimately led to his own destruction, executed by the very people he tried to harm. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, even over those who try to manipulate spiritual forces against His people.
What does Balaam's death have to do with the division of the Promised Land?
The context of Joshua 13 is the systematic conquest and division of the land of Canaan. The inclusion of Balaam's death here serves as a stark reminder that this land inheritance wasn't just a political or military victory; it was an act of divine judgment. The enemies of Israel, those who resisted God's plan and even sought to curse His people, were removed. Balaam, who actively conspired against Israel, is part of that removed opposition. His end is woven into the narrative of God clearing the way for His people to possess the promised inheritance.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
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 inclusion of Balaam's death here, alongside the distribution of land, emphasizes God's ultimate triumph over those who sought to harm His people, even through deceptive means.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Arrive at Moab
After crossing the Red Sea and wandering in the desert, the Israelites encamp in the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, posing a significant threat to the Moabite kingdom.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam Hired to Curse Israel
King Balak of Moab, fearing the Israelites, hires the diviner Balaam to curse them, hoping to drive them away or defeat them. Balaam famously journeys to curse them but is compelled by God to bless them instead.
c. 1400 BC
Midianite Deception of Israel
While encamped in Moab, the Midianites, in league with Moab, devise a plan to lure the Israelites into sin through seductive women and idolatry, centered around the worship of Baal of Peor.
c. 1400 BC
God Commands Punishment for Deception
The Israelites fall into the sin of Baal of Peor, leading to a plague. God commands Moses to punish the Midianites for their treacherous scheme.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Battle Against Midian
An Israelite army, led by Phinehas, wages war against the Midianites, killing all their males, including their kings and, as recorded here, the diviner Balaam.
c. 1399 BC
Division of the Promised Land
Following the conquest of lands east of the Jordan, the inheritance is distributed among the Israelite tribes. This passage in Joshua details those divisions.
This passage directly describes Balaam's death alongside the princes of Midian, confirming the event referenced in Joshua and highlighting his involvement in the treachery against Israel.
Numbers 25:1-3This passage explains why Balaam was killed: he advised the Midianites and Moabites on how to cause Israel to sin through idolatry and sexual immorality, leading to God's judgment.
2 Peter 2:15-16This New Testament passage describes Balaam as a false prophet who loved the wages of wrongdoing, providing a theological interpretation of his character and ultimate demise.
Joshua 24:9-10This passage from Joshua recounts the Israelites' history and mentions Balak's attempt to curse them, implicitly referencing Balaam's role and subsequent defeat by God's intervention.
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.
This verse highlights Balaam's ultimate fate: he was killed by the very people he sought to curse, alongside the princes of Midian. It's significant that he's specifically identified as a "soothsayer" or "diviner," underscoring that his fatal pursuit was not just misguided, but a deliberate engagement with dark spiritual forces.
The book of Joshua is detailing the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. This passage specifically lists the inheritances for the tribes of Reuben and Gad, outlining their territories and cities as allotted by Moses. Within this account of land distribution, the text pauses to mention the fate of Balaam, the sorcerer who had previously tried to curse Israel, noting that he was killed by the Israelites alongside the conquered Midianite princes.
The book of Joshua is detailing the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after their conquest. This passage specifically lists the inheritances for the tribes of Reuben and Gad, outlining their territories and cities as allotted by Moses. Within this account of land distribution, the text pauses to mention the fate of Balaam, the sorcerer who had previously tried to curse Israel, noting that he was killed by the Israelites alongside the conquered Midianite princes.
"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." — This verse highlights Balaam's ultimate fate: he was killed by the very people he sought to curse, alongside the princes of Midian. It's significant that he's specifically identified as a "soothsayer…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026