Bible Dictionary

Beor

People & Groups • Old Testament

Beor was the father of Bela, an early king of Edom, and also the father of Balaam the seer.

Definition

Beor is the name of two fathers in the biblical genealogies. One was the father of Bela, an early king of Edom; the other was the father of Balaam the seer. The name is explained as “burning,” “torch,” or possibly “destroyer.”

Biblical Usage

Beor appears in the genealogies and narratives concerning the king of Edom and Balaam. The New Testament refers to Balaam’s father with the form Bosor in some textual traditions.

Historical Background

The two men named Beor belong to different genealogical contexts: one to Edom’s early kings and one to the account of Balaam.

Scripture References

Genesis 36:32 Numbers 22:5 Numbers 24:3 Numbers 24:15 Numbers 31:8 1 Chronicles 1:43 Numbers 23:4 Joshua 13:22 Joshua 24:9 Micah 6:5

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A torch. (1.) The father of Bela, one of the kings of Edom (Gen. 36:32). (2.) The father of Balaam (Num. 22:5; 24:3, 15; 31:8). In 2 Pet. 2:15 he is called Bosor.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(burning or torch).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

be'-or (be`or, "destroyer"(?)):(1) Father of Bela, the first king of Edom (Ge 36:32; 1Ch 1:43).(2) The father of the seer Balaam (Nu 22:5; 24:3,15; 31:8; De 23:4; Jos 13:22; 24:9, omitted in Septuagint; Mic 6:5; 2Pe 2:15, the King James Version and the Revised Version, margin "Bosor").

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