Biblical Proper Names: Biographies

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Balaam

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Balaam a non-Israelite prophet whose story is related in the biblical book of Numbers. In allusive use he is often taken as an example of an evil diviner who would sell his prophetic powers to the highest bidder, although his powers are questionable: although supposedly a seer, he is repeatedly unable to see the divine messenger that is visible even to his donkey. The animal is finally granted the power of speech by God to address her master, and it has been suggested that this is the origin of the (archaic) journalist's slang usage Balaam to mean ‘superfluous or trivial material used to fill up a column’. (The term Balaam basket was used for an editor's container for unwanted material.)

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Balaam." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Balaam." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Balaam.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Balaam." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Balaam.html

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Balaam

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Balaam , the central character in an amalgam of Israelite traditions found in the Book of Numbers. Hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Hebrews encamped in the Jordan valley, Balaam could only bless them. Later, Balaam seduced the Israelites to commit evil, an act for which he was killed.

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"Balaam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Balaam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Balaam.html

"Balaam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Balaam.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Balaam in scripture and in inscription. Magazine article from: Midstream; 5/1/2002
	Woodland full of atmosphere re; AWalkInThePark GRAHAM YOUNG VISITS BALAAM'S... Newspaper article from: Birmingham Mail (England); 3/19/2011
	Poetic discourse and the problem of verbal tenses in the oracles of... Magazine article from: Hebrew Studies Journal; 1/1/2008