BALAAM was a diviner whose reputation for pronouncing effectual curses and blessings had spread far beyond the borders of his native land. His home was Pethor, a town situated in the upper Euphrates valley near the Sajur River. Not far from there lay Haran, where God-fearing men such as Abraham, Lot and Jacob once had lived. This fact may explain why the diviner Balaam knew about the true God, even referring to him as “Jehovah my God.”​—Num. 22:18.

“If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold,” said he, “I should not be able to pass beyond the order of Jehovah my God, so as to do something small or great.” (Num. 22:18) Balaam knew full well that any attempt to curse Israel was against Jehovah’s will. Yet, he did not send the men away but apparently toyed with the idea that Jehovah might allow him to leave with the messengers.