COX, SAMUEL — Balaam. An exposition and a Study.

London, Kegan Paul, Trench. 1884, First Edition. Blue Cloth, 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Book, 208, 40 pages, cloth split on one side of spine. Balaam is a diviner in the Torah, his story occurring towards the end of the Book of Numbers. The etymology of his name is uncertain. Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified. Though other sources describe the apparently positive blessings he delivers upon the Israelites, he is reviled as a "wicked man" in the major story concerning him. Balaam attempted to curse God's people. He failed all three tries, each time producing blessings, not curses (Numbers 22-24). Good.