"Balaam" - translated "not belonging to God," "devouring," "consuming.

The Hebrew (בִּלְעָם) [balaam] - translated "glutton, gourmand, glutton.

According to the literal narrative, this man lived during the journey of the Israelites to the land indicated by God. Balaam had a reputation as a great seer and soothsayer. (See Is.Nav.13; Nehem.13:2).

"Balaam" is an image of a prophet of God, "having knowledge from the Most High," knowing the revelations of His Will, able to foresee the future history of mankind.

Balaam was a prophet of God, but committed spiritual failures, was also a prophet "for profit" who sought to use his gift for profit. This defines his characterization and the expression "the doctrine of Balaam."

"Balaam" is also the image of the prophet of the plunderer. The image of Balaam represents religious leaders, teachers of various religions, who are driven by direct and indirect, overt and cunningly disguised vanity and self-interest. These are people who, for the sake of self-interest, cooperate with all kinds of ruling systems, disregarding the Commandments of God, who go to criminal compromises with representatives of the world of lawlessness.