Bileam
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Topical Encyclopedia
Bileam is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribal allotments in the land of Canaan. It is associated with the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name "Bileam" is often considered synonymous with "Balaam," though in this context, it refers to a geographical location rather than the well-known prophet.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 6:70 : "And from the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Aner and Bileam, together with their pasturelands, for the rest of the Kohathite clans." This verse indicates that Bileam was one of the towns allocated to the Levites, specifically the Kohathite clans, from the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. The Levites, who were set apart for religious duties, did not receive a contiguous territory like the other tribes but were instead given specific cities and surrounding pasturelands throughout Israel.

2. Geographical Context: Bileam is located in the region allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh on the west side of the Jordan River. This area was part of the larger inheritance given to the descendants of Joseph, which included the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The allocation of cities to the Levites, including Bileam, underscores the importance of providing for the spiritual needs of the nation by ensuring that the priestly tribe had places to live and serve throughout the land.

3. Historical and Theological Significance: The mention of Bileam in the context of Levitical cities highlights the organizational structure of ancient Israelite society, where religious and civil life were closely intertwined. The Levites played a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation, and their presence in various cities, including Bileam, facilitated the teaching of the Law and the administration of religious rites.

4. Connection to Balaam: While Bileam as a location is distinct from Balaam the prophet, the similarity in names may lead to some confusion. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is known for his interactions with the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. However, Bileam as a city is unrelated to these events and serves a different purpose within the narrative of Israel's settlement in Canaan.

In summary, Bileam is a Levitical city within the territory of Manasseh, reflecting the distribution of land and responsibilities among the tribes of Israel. Its mention in the biblical text underscores the integration of religious duties within the broader community life of the Israelites.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Bileam

the ancient of the people; the devourer

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bileam

(foreigners), a town in the western half of the tribe of Manasseh, named only in (1 Chronicles 6:70) same as Ibleam and Gath-rimmon. (Joshua 17:11) and Josh 21:24

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BILEAM

bil'-e-am (bil`am; Iblaam): A town in the territory of Manasseh assigned to the Kohathite Levites (1 Chronicles 6:70), probably the same as Ibleam (Joshua 17:11, etc.), and identical with the modern Bel`ameh, half a mile South of Jenin.

Strong's Hebrew
1109. Bil'am -- a prophet
... Balaam, Bileam Probably from bal and am; not (of the) people, ie Foreigner; Bilam,
a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine -- Balaam, Bileam. ...
/hebrew/1109.htm - 5k

1109b. Bilam -- a city in Manasseh
... a city in Manasseh. Transliteration: Bilam Short Definition: Bileam. Word Origin
from bala Definition a city in Manasseh NASB Word Usage Bileam (1). ...
/hebrew/1109b.htm - 5k

Library

Articuli Sive Conclusiones Lxvii. H. Zwinglii.
... LVI. Wer etliche S?�nden allein um Geldes willen nachl????t, ist Simon's und
Bileam's Gesell und des Teufels eigentlicher Bote. LVI. ...
/.../articuli sive conclusiones lxvii h.htm

The Apocalypse.
... insinuatur asperitas." Utterly worthless. See L?�cke, p.997. Z?�llig finds
in the figure the name of Bileam. Not much better is ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm

Thesaurus
Bileam (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BILEAM. bil'-e-am (bil`am ... of Jenin.
Multi-Version Concordance Bileam (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 6 ...
/b/bileam.htm - 7k

Ibleam (4 Occurrences)
... It is also called Bileam (1 Chronicles 6:70). ... The name appears as Bileam in 1
Chronicles 6:70; and it probably corresponds to Belmen of Jth. ...
/i/ibleam.htm - 9k

Gath-rimmon (4 Occurrences)
... (2.) Another city of the same name in Manasseh, west of the Jordan (Joshua 21:25),
called also Bileam (1 Chronicles 6:70). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/g/gath-rimmon.htm - 9k

Gathrimmon (4 Occurrences)
... (2.) Another city of the same name in Manasseh, west of the Jordan (Joshua 21:25),
called also Bileam (1 Chronicles 6:70). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/g/gathrimmon.htm - 9k

Bil'e-am (1 Occurrence)
Bil'e-am. Bileam, Bil'e-am. Bilgah . Multi-Version Concordance Bil'e-am (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Bileam, Bil'e-am. Bilgah . Reference Bible.
/b/bil'e-am.htm - 6k

Bildad (5 Occurrences)

/b/bildad.htm - 11k

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs,
and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. ...
/k/ko'hathites.htm - 11k

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with the open land
about it, and Bileam with the open land about it, for the rest of the family ...
/k/kohathite.htm - 12k

Aner (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs,
and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. ...
/a/aner.htm - 8k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs,
and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Resources
Who was Balaam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the doctrine of Balaam? | GotQuestions.org

Did Balaam's donkey really talk to him? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Bileam (1 Occurrence)

1 Chronicles 6:70
and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Bileam

Bileam: A Town of the Territory of the Tribe of Manasseh

Bileam: Called Ibleam

Bileam: Gath-Rimmon

Related Terms

Bileam (1 Occurrence)

Bilgah (3 Occurrences)

Bildad's Response
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