Balaamisms
Balaamisms [∞]
Balaam (▸ ± Numbers 22-31) was a prophet hired by King Balak to curse Israel so they could be conquered. However, each time he tried, God took control of his mouth, turning his curses into blessings.
Frustrated, Balaam advised Balak on a different strategy: if Israel could be led into sin, God Himself would withdraw His protection. He suggested using seductive women to lure the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, effectively separating them from God.
This deception echoes the serpent's strategy in Eden. By simply planting "Did God really say?" in Eve’s mind, the wickedness already present in her heart took control, leading to disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6).
John warns against the doctrine of Balaam—the tactic of sowing doubt in God’s Word to weaken trust and block blessings. The Jews believed they were immune to such schemes because they were God’s chosen people, yet Balaamisms remain a subtle and persistent threat.
| Balaamism | purpose | perpetrator | |
| Canon | Hide scripture | Nicolaitans | |
| Authorship of Genesis | Sow doubt | Rabbis | |
| Division of 'Creation' pericope | Contradiction | Rabbis | |
| Alphabet personification | Mythologize | Rabbis | |
| Translation: 'lights' | Obfuscate | Rabbis | |
| Translation: 'Let us' | Diversion | Rabbis | |
| Translation: 'knowledge of good and evil' | Diversion | Rabbis | |
| Translation: 'become as one of us' | Diversion | Rabbis | |
| Translation: 'generations' | Sow doubt | Rabbis | |
| Gospel order | Sow doubt | Nicolaitans | |
| Gospel late date | Sow doubt | Nicolaitans | |
| Mark long ending | Not one | Church | |
| Synoptic problem | Sow doubt | Nicolaitans | |
| Nikkud | Obfuscate | Rabbis |
