Beor

Beor is not presented with a narrative origin in the sources; rather his attestation functions onomastically. In the Hebrew Bible and in extrabiblical inscriptional material the name appears as the patronymic for Balaam (the formula “Balaam son of Beor”), which locates Balaam socially and geographically. Archaeological discussion highlights that the Deir ‘Alla inscription (often dated to the early first millennium BCE) refers to Balaam son of Beor, showing the patronymic circulated beyond the biblical text. Later rabbinic summaries sometimes group Balaam and his father in lists of prophets who addressed non‑Israelite peoples, a reception history that treats the patronymic as part of prophetic identity rather than providing an independent origin tale for Beor.

No physical appearance for Beor is described in the provided sources. All attestations are nominal and genealogical; Beor appears in identifying formulas (e.g., “Balaam son of Beor”) in biblical texts and in inscriptional contexts such as the Deir ‘Alla material. Any attempt to ascribe physical traits would be speculative and is not supported by the cited sources.

The sources do not ascribe independent abilities or behaviors to Beor. Prophetic and seer activity is attributed to his son Balaam in the biblical narrative and in extrabiblical inscriptions. Some secondary and rabbinic summaries report traditions that list Balaam and his father among those who prophesied to non‑Israelite peoples (e.g., a summary reference to Baba Bathra 15b), but primary biblical and inscriptional texts present Beor primarily as a patronymic identifier rather than as an active prophetic agent.