Balaam

Balaam was a pagan diviner from Pethor on the Euphrates hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel as they camped on the plains of Moab before the conquest of Canaan (Numbers 22–24). Though sought for his cursing ability, God prevented Balaam from cursing and compelled him to bless Israel in four oracles instead, including the famous Messianic prophecy: 'A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel' (Numbers 24:17). The narrative of his talking donkey (Numbers 22:21–35) is one of the Bible's most memorable passages. Despite his oracular faithfulness, Numbers 31:16 attributes Israel's apostasy at Baal-peor to Balaam's counsel, and the New Testament consistently uses Balaam as a type of false teacher who leads others astray for financial gain (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14).