Balaam’s Three Wicked Traits and the Limits of His Prophecy

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 9:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 22:18:) BUT BALAAM ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THE [SERVANTS] OF BALAK: IF BALAK SHOULD GIVE ME [a houseful of silver and gold], and so forth. From here you learn that there was in him [an evil eye, a haughty spirit], a greedy soul. An evil eye, as it is stated (Numbers 24:2): AND BALAAM LIFTED UP HIS EYES AND SAW ISRAEL DWELLING ACCORDING TO ITS TRIBES. And a haughty spirit, (Numbers 22:13:) THE LORD HAS REFUSED TO LET ME GO WITH YOU. A greedy soul, (Numbers 22:18:) IF BALAK SHOULD GIVE ME [a houseful of silver and gold].

Themes

Adam EveSoulWisdomMusicProtection

Biblical References

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