Why Balak Sent for Balaam and the Names Hidden in Balaam Son of Beor

"And he sent messengers to Balaam." Since they had heard that the power of Moses was nothing but in his mouth, they said: Let us send to Balaam, for his power too is in his mouth, and he will stand against him. Therefore they sent to Balaam. And why was his name called Balaam (Bilam)? Because he sought to swallow up (livloa) Israel. Another interpretation: Balaam — "one who wears down a people" (bolah am). Another interpretation: "without a people" (bela am). "Son of Beor" — because he came upon a beast (be'irah). "Pethor" — he was an interpreter of dreams (poter chalomot). Another interpretation: "Pethor" — he was a money-changer (shulchani). "The land of the children of his people" — for Balak was from there. "Behold, it covers the face of the earth" — because they had slain Sihon, and moreover because they were the eyes of the land. "And it sits over against me" (mimuli) — that is to say, that they are filled (memulin).