The Children of Israel entered the country of Moab during their long journey from Egypt toward the land of Canaan. Moab's king, Balak, was afraid of them, because they were so numerous. Balak asked Balaam, a seer or prophet, to come and curse the Children of Israel.

Balaam at first refused Balak's request because God said he was not to go. Finally, after Balak's third request, Balaam was allowed to go, but could only speak words that God put into his mouth.

To Balak's frustration and anger, after all this effort, Balaam could only bless the Children of Israel. Part of his blessing is a prophecy of the Lord's birth.

Though we are not given a direct explanation of what Baalam means, we are told that he was a hypocrite and sorcerer in a reference from Apocalypse Explained. Here it is also told that it was Balaam who told Balak , the king of Moab, that he should try to seduce Israel to worship other gods, rather than to fight them outright. This plan succeeded, as is told in 'Numbers 25:1-3'.

(Odkazy: Apocalypse Revealed 114; Arcana Coelestia 1366, 1675 [5]; Numbers 24:17)