Joshua 13:22 - The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain.

Generated Verse: Joshua 13:22

What does "Joshua 13:22" mean?


This verse, Joshua 13:22, states a historical event:

"The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain."

Let's break it down:

"The children of Israel": Refers to the Israelite people, led by Joshua, during their conquest of Canaan.
"killed Balaam the son of Beor": Balaam was a well-known figure in the Old Testament. He was a diviner or soothsayer (as the verse states). He was initially hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites but instead, he ended up blessing them multiple times.
"the soothsayer": This identifies Balaam's profession. A soothsayer was someone believed to be able to predict the future or discern hidden information through divination.
"with the sword, among the rest of their slain": Indicates that Balaam was killed in battle or as part of a general slaughter of enemies. He was killed alongside other people who were defeated by the Israelites.

Meaning and Significance:

Justice and Consequences: The verse highlights the consequences of Balaam's actions. Despite initially blessing Israel, Balaam later advised Balak on how to entice the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality (Numbers 31:16). This led to a plague among the Israelites. His death can be seen as divine justice for his role in leading Israel astray.
Complete Conquest: It reinforces the idea that the Israelites were thoroughly conquering and destroying their enemies as they took possession of the Promised Land.
Moral Warning: Balaam serves as a cautionary tale. He was a man who knew God's will but ultimately chose to pursue personal gain and manipulate spiritual power for his own purposes, which led to his downfall.
Historical Narrative: It adds a specific detail to the broader narrative of the Israelite conquest.

In summary, Joshua 13:22 reports the death of Balaam, a prominent soothsayer, at the hands of the Israelites. It underscores the consequences of his actions, highlights the completeness of the Israelite conquest, and serves as a moral warning against spiritual compromise.