Balaam and the Talking Donkey

Agag

King living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness

Amorite

Son of Canaan and ancestral head of the powerful Amorite nation

A son of Canaan and a grandson of Ham, the patriarch whose descendants became a powerful mountain-dwelling nation in the Levant during the Patriarchal Period.

Balaam

Diviner who was hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead

A non-Israelite diviner and son of Beor who, despite hearing the voice of God, attempted to curse Israel for profit and later led them into apostasy.

Balak

King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings

The King of Moab who attempted to protect his kingdom from the advancing Israelites by hiring the prophet Balaam to curse them.

Beor, Father of Balaam

father of the prophet Balaam during the Israelite wilderness journey

Beor was the father of the Mesopotamian diviner Balaam and a resident of Pethor during the period of the Israelite wilderness wanderings.

Eber, Early Patriarch

Patriarchal ancestor of the Hebrew people through the line of Shem

Eber was a foundational post-diluvian patriarch, the great-grandson of Shem and a direct ancestor of Abraham through whom the lineage of the 'Hebrews' is traditionally traced.

Israel

Patriarch who wrestled with God and fathered the twelve tribes

The third patriarch of the covenant, formerly known as Jacob, who received his name after wrestling with God and became the father of the twelve tribes.

Kenites

Ancient nomadic tribe and allies of Israel who descended from Moses' father-in-law

A semi-nomadic group of smiths and craftsmen who maintained a long-standing alliance with Israel from the Patriarchal period through the early Monarchy.

Seth

Third son of Adam and Eve and ancestor of Noah

The third son of Adam and Eve, Seth was born after the death of Abel and became the ancestor of the line of the faithful leading to Noah.

Zippor

Father of King Balak of Moab

A Moabite leader during the Exodus era, primarily known as the father of King Balak, who sought to curse the Israelites.