The story of Balaam is recorded in Numbers 22–24 (cf. Num 31:8, 16; Deut 23:4–5; 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11; and Rev 2:14). It recounts how Balak, king of Moab, fearing Israel’s advance, summoned Balaam—a prophet from Mesopotamia—to curse God’s people. Though Balaam knew the true God and received divine revelation, his heart was corrupted by greed and ambition. Forbidden to curse Israel, he instead counseled Balak to ensnare them through idolatry and immorality. His life stands as a sobering paradox: a man who spoke profound truth and even foresaw the coming Messiah (Num 24:17), yet perished for loving “the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15).
This account raises the question: Was Balaam truly saved, a genuine prophet of the Lord, or merely a pagan diviner used by God? Some scholars view Balaam as an unbelieving sorcerer, others as a true believer who fell into deep carnality. Ronald Allen states, “Rather than see Balaam as a true believer caught up in greed, it is better to understand that he was a sorcerer, more specifically, a bārû diviner, for whom the God of Israel was just another deity he might manipulate.”[1] John MacArthur states, “Scripture identifies Balaam as a false prophet.”[2] But Phillip Budd thinks Balaam was saved, saying, “Balaam is depicted from the outset as a true prophet of Yahweh who is bound to declare the true word of God…On four occasions Balaam prophesies, and each time the divine word is one of blessing on Israel.”[3] Walter Kaiser agrees that Balaam was saved, saying:
He really knew the true, personal God of Israel, and like so many other believing Gentiles who receive only a passing reference in Scripture (such as Melchizedek, Jethro, Rahab), he too really believed to the saving of his soul. God not only used him to protect Israel from a curse, he was also the instrument of the great Messianic prophecies concerning the ‘Star out of Jacob,’ a guiding light for the Eastern wise men who later searched out the new king of the Jews.[4]
While absolute certainty is impossible, the biblical evidence supports the view that Balaam was a believer, though a deeply carnal and compromised one. Scripture presents Balaam as a man who knew the true and living God, received direct revelation, and even spoke divine prophecy—yet whose love of money and worldly prestige corrupted his spiritual life and testimony. Several indicators throughout the biblical record seem to affirm that Balaam was a genuine believer, while his actions reveal the depths to which a believer can fall through prolonged carnality and negative volition toward God’s will.
First, Balaam openly acknowledged Yahweh as his God. When the Moabite king Balak sought his services to curse Israel, Balaam replied, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me” (Num 22:8). Later he said, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God” (Num 22:18). His use of the personal pronoun “my” reveals a personal relationship with Yahweh, not merely an awareness of Israel’s deity.
Second, Balaam received direct revelation from God. Scripture says, “God came to Balaam” (Num 22:9) and “the Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth” (Num 23:16). This intimate communication demonstrates that Balaam had genuine prophetic capacity granted by divine appointment. Furthermore, “the Spirit of God came upon him” (Num 24:2), empowering him to deliver truth that could not be known apart from divine illumination. That God would place His Spirit upon Balaam would argue that he was truly saved.
Third, Balaam spoke the very words of God and blessed Israel, not once but repeatedly, even under intense pressure to curse them (Num 23:11–12, 26; 24:10–13). Balaam’s prophecies contain profound theological insight into God’s faithfulness and sovereign protection of His covenant people. In one of the most remarkable prophecies of the Old Testament, Balaam foresaw the coming of Israel’s Messiah, prophesying, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel” (Num 24:17). Such messianic foresight could only be communicated through divine inspiration.
These evidences imply Balaam was a believer, a prophet who had genuine knowledge of the Lord and access to divine revelation. Yet, despite such privilege, Balaam’s story is one of tragic decline. His heart was captivated by greed and ambition. Though he could not curse Israel directly, he devised a scheme to corrupt them indirectly. According to later revelation, Balaam “taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality” (Rev 2:14; cf. Num 31:16). He enticed Israel to join themselves to Baal of Peor (Num 25:1–3), bringing divine discipline upon the nation.
The New Testament writers expose Balaam’s inner corruption. Peter warns of false teachers who “have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15). Jude likewise condemns those who “rush headlong into the error of Balaam for pay” (Jude 11). The apostle John identifies his sin as one of moral compromise for material gain (Rev 2:14). Balaam thus becomes the prototype of the carnal believer—one who knows truth but subordinates it to self-interest.
His life illustrates that a genuine believer can indeed live sinfully and even oppose God’s will through prolonged carnality. Balaam’s prophetic gift did not exempt him from divine discipline or moral failure. Though he spoke God’s Word, he failed to apply it. His lust for wealth and honor overrode his spiritual integrity. Ultimately, he perished among Israel’s enemies when they defeated the Midianites (Num 31:8), a sobering reminder that divine discipline can culminate in physical death for the disobedient believer (cf. 1 Cor 11:30–32; Heb 12:6).
Balaam’s example, therefore, stands as both a testimony to divine grace and a warning against spiritual compromise. He demonstrates that one may possess doctrinal knowledge and divine gifting yet fail through arrogance, greed, and negative volition. The lesson is timeless: faith may secure salvation, but only ongoing obedience and humility before God secure spiritual stability and reward. A believer out of fellowship with the Lord can become as destructive as any unbeliever. Balaam knew the truth but chose to serve himself. His life reveals that even the regenerate man can be carnal, and when unchecked, carnality leads not to blessing but to divine judgment.
Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.
If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.
Related Articles:
- The Free Gift of God is Eternal Life
- Solomon: The Saved King who Worshipped Idols
- Salvation is Free, Discipleship is Costly
- If You Died Today, Would You Go to Heaven?
- When a Christian Turns to a Sinful Lifestyle
- Divine Discipline for the Christian
[1] Ronald B. Allen, “Numbers,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1990), 888.
[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), Nu 22:5.
[3] Phillip J. Budd, Numbers, vol. 5, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1984), 271.
[4] Walter C. Kaiser Jr. et al., Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996), 167.