--- title: The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10089/the-balam-text-from-deir-alla/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla _Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_ ## Image File [![The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10089.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10089.jpg) ## Image Caption This is a detail of the so-called "Bal'am Text" (also Balaam Inscription) which was discovered in 1967 CE at Tell Deir Alla, in modern-day Balqa Governorate, [Jordan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jordan/). It was written in around 800 BCE. It was written in black and red ink on [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) plaster. The text displays linguistic features that can be assigned to Aramaic, Canaanite, Ammonite, and other sub-groups in the North-West Semitic family. The dominant character, however, is in Aramaic, and this text is the longest known Aramaic evidence in the Southern [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/). Although the text does not mention any specific historical personalities or events, it is still historically and religiously important. "The main figure, Bal'am Bin Ba'our, conveys a prophecy of misery on his people, as a punishment for disobeying the gods". Balam (or Balaam) is also mentioned in the [Old Testament](https://www.worldhistory.org/Old_Testament/) by the same name, but the historical context of the biblical narrative is centuries earlier. The text also mentions a number of deities, such as "El" (the supreme [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/)), "Shagar" (a fertility god), the council of the gods, and "Shaddayyin". Additionally, this text is the earliest reference to the role of "seer" in the North-West Semitic [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/), although earlier Mesopotamian documents and the Old Testament mention them. The discovery of this text at a place close to where the conflict between the Israelites and the Moabites supposedly happened indicates that the story of this seer was part of a local tradition. (The Jordan Museum, Amman, Jordan). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Amin, O. S. M. (2019, February 18). The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 18, 2019. . ### MLA Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Bal'am Text from Deir Alla." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Feb 2019, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 18 February 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.