Understanding Βοσόρ (Bosor) Strong’s G1007: The Biblical City that Reveals Prophetic Warnings and Divine Judgments

Pronunciation Guide: boh-SOHR (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1007: Βοσόρ (Bosor) refers to a place name mentioned in the New Testament, specifically the father of Balaam. It represents a variant form of the Hebrew name “Beor” (בְּעוֹר). In 2 Peter 2:15, it is connected with the false prophet Balaam, whose story serves as a warning against those who abandon righteous paths for material gain. The name may carry connotations of “burning” or “destruction” in its Semitic roots.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Proper noun (masculine)
• Origin: Hebrew name בְּעוֹר (Beor) transliterated into Greek
• Language Context: Appears in prophetic warning context in the New Testament
• Primary Usage: Used in didactic/teaching passages as a cautionary example
• Alternate Forms: Corresponds to Hebrew בְּעוֹר (Beor) in the Old Testament

Βοσόρ Morphology:

• Βοσόρ (nominative singular) – Bosor (subject form)
• Βοσόρ (genitive singular) – of Bosor
• Βοσόρ (indeclinable in Greek) – remains the same form in all cases

Origin & History

The name Βοσόρ (Bosor) represents a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name בְּעוֹר (Beor), which appears in the Old Testament as the father of Balaam, the notorious diviner hired to curse Israel. The Septuagint typically transliterates this name as “Βεώρ” (Beor), making the New Testament form “Βοσόρ” (Bosor) in 2 Peter 2:15 notable. This variation may reflect regional dialectical differences in pronunciation or could potentially represent an alternate patronymic tradition known to Peter’s audience.

The etymology of the name is likely connected to the Semitic root בער (b’r), which carries connotations of “burning,” “consuming,” or “destruction.” Philo of Alexandria, in his work “On the Life of Moses” (1:268), while discussing Balaam, references his father’s name in discussing the “consuming” nature of false prophecy that devours truth. Similarly, Origen in his “Contra Celsum” (4:43) draws attention to the meaning of names in biblical narrative, suggesting the name of Balaam’s father carried significant symbolic weight in understanding the spiritual dangers represented.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A proper name referring to the father of Balaam the false prophet
• A variant form of the Hebrew name “Beor” found in the Old Testament
• A name potentially carrying symbolic meaning related to judgment or destruction
• A geographical or familial identifier used to distinguish Balaam in cautionary teaching

Βοσόρ Translation Options:

• Bosor – Direct transliteration, preserving the Greek form as found in 2 Peter
• Beor – Translation harmonized with the Old Testament Hebrew name, emphasizing continuity
• Son of Burning – Dynamic equivalent capturing potential etymological meaning
• Of the Consuming One – Meaning-based translation highlighting possible symbolic connotations

Biblical Usage

The name Βοσόρ (Bosor) appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:15, where the apostle refers to “Balaam, son of Bosor” as an example of someone who “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” This differs from the Old Testament accounts in Numbers 22-24 and Deuteronomy 23:4-5, where Balaam is consistently called “son of Beor” (בֶּן־בְּעוֹר). This variance has generated scholarly discussion regarding whether it represents a textual variation, a different pronunciation tradition, or possibly even an intentional modification to communicate theological significance.

In the wider biblical narrative, Balaam son of Beor/Bosor represents a complex figure – a non-Israelite diviner who nonetheless received true revelations from יהוה (Yahweh), yet ultimately led Israel into sin through his counsel to Balak. The story serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of using spiritual gifts for personal gain and compromising with idolatry and immorality.

• “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Βοσόρ (Bosor), who loved the wages of unrighteousness” 2 Peter 2:15

Cultural Insights

The variation between “Beor” in the Hebrew Bible and “Bosor” in 2 Peter 2:15 provides a fascinating window into the complex world of name transliteration between Semitic and Greek languages in the ancient world. Names frequently underwent modifications when moving between language systems with different phonetic structures. The transformation from “Beor” to “Bosor” likely reflects the insertion of a sibilant sound (‘s’), a common phenomenon when Hebrew names were rendered in Greek. Similar patterns can be seen in other biblical names like “Shechem” becoming “Sychem” in Greek.

Additionally, Balaam son of Beor/Bosor held a significant place in ancient Jewish tradition beyond the biblical text. The discovery of the “Deir ‘Alla Inscription” in Jordan in 1967 revealed an extra-biblical Aramaic text from approximately the 9th-8th centuries BCE mentioning “Balaam son of Beor” as a seer who received divine visions by night. This archaeological finding confirms that Balaam was a known prophetic figure in the ancient Near East, lending historical depth to the New Testament’s use of him as a cautionary example. The Jewish audience of Peter’s letter would have immediately recognized this reference and understood the severe warning being communicated about false teachers.

Theological Significance

The apostle Peter’s use of Βοσόρ (Bosor) in his epistle serves a profound theological purpose within his warning against false teachers. By invoking Balaam son of Bosor, Peter draws a direct parallel between the Old Testament figure who used his prophetic gift for personal enrichment and the false teachers threatening the early church. This connection highlights God’s unchanging standard of righteousness and judgment against those who would corrupt His truth for material gain or sensual indulgence.

The story of Balaam reveals the tension between genuine prophetic gifting and moral corruption – Balaam could speak true words from God while harboring a heart of greed. This paradox underscores the Messiah’s teaching that we will know false prophets “by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20) rather than merely by their spiritual manifestations or charismatic abilities. Peter’s usage reminds us that יהוה (Yahweh) is not mocked – those who leverage spiritual position for personal gain or lead others into compromise will face divine judgment, just as Balaam ultimately died by the sword (Numbers 31:8).

In the broader canonical context, the reference to Balaam son of Bosor forms part of a consistent New Testament theme warning against false teaching and spiritual deception, connecting with similar warnings in Jude 11 and Revelation 2:14. This repetition emphasizes God’s passionate protection of His truth and His people, revealing both His justice toward deceivers and His mercy in providing clear warnings.

Personal Application

The story of Balaam son of Bosor speaks powerfully to believers today about the danger of compartmentalizing our spiritual gifts from our moral choices. We might possess genuine spiritual insights or abilities while simultaneously harboring attitudes that contradict God’s character. This narrative challenges us to examine not only what we believe and teach, but also our underlying motives – are we serving for personal gain, recognition, or influence, rather than from a heart fully surrendered to the Messiah?

Furthermore, Peter’s warning reminds us to be discerning about spiritual leaders and teachers. In our media-saturated age with countless voices claiming divine authority, the lesson of Balaam son of Bosor calls us to look beyond charismatic presentation or apparent spiritual power to examine the fruit of a teacher’s life and the alignment of their message with the full counsel of Scripture. True spiritual leadership will always lead toward greater holiness, selfless love, and deeper worship of יהוה (Yahweh), never toward compromise with the world’s values or systems.

Related Words

• Βεώρ (Beor) – The Septuagint rendering of the Hebrew name, which appears in Numbers 22-24, maintaining closer phonetic similarity to the original Hebrew than Βοσόρ. Pronounced “beh-OHR.” See G0
• Βαλαάμ (Balaam) – The name of the prophet himself, son of Bosor/Beor, who appears as a cautionary figure in both Old and New Testaments. Pronounced “ba-la-AM.” See G903
• Πέτρος (Petros) – The apostle who uses the name Bosor in his epistle, chosen by the Messiah as a foundational leader despite his own moral failings, providing contrast to Balaam’s example. Pronounced “PEH-tros.” See G4074
• ψευδοδιδάσκαλος (pseudodidaskalos) – “False teacher,” the primary subject of Peter’s warning in the context where Bosor appears, representing those who follow Balaam’s pattern. Pronounced “psyoo-do-di-DAS-ka-los.” See G5572
• μισθός (misthos) – “Wages” or “reward,” used to describe what Balaam loved in his unrighteousness, revealing his corrupt motivation. Pronounced “mis-THOS.” See G3408

Did You Know?

• The variant spelling “Bosor” instead of “Beor” has led some scholars to suggest that Peter might be making a wordplay on the Aramaic word “basar” (flesh), emphasizing how the false teachers were following fleshly desires rather than spiritual truth. This type of wordplay with names was common in ancient Jewish interpretive traditions and would have resonated with Peter’s audience.
• Archaeological discoveries have confirmed Balaam son of Beor as a historical figure beyond biblical accounts. The Deir ‘Alla Inscription from Jordan (dating to around 800 BCE) contains a story about “Balaam son of Beor” receiving nighttime visions, providing extra-biblical evidence for this figure’s reputation as a seer in the ancient Near East approximately 1,500 years before Peter wrote his epistle.
• In Jewish tradition preserved in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 106a), Balaam is considered one of just three figures who have no share in the World to Come due to their extreme wickedness (alongside Gehazi and Doeg). This highlights how seriously the Jewish community viewed Balaam’s transgressions, providing important cultural context for understanding the force of Peter’s warning when invoking this name.

Remember This

Balaam son of Bosor stands as an eternal warning that spiritual giftedness without moral integrity leads not to blessing but to judgment, reminding us that יהוה (Yahweh) looks not merely at our words or abilities, but at the true intentions of our hearts.