Topical Encyclopedia
Bosor is a name that appears in the Bible, specifically in the context of the Old Testament. It is associated with two distinct references: a geographical location and a personal name.
1.
Geographical Location:Bosor is identified as a city of refuge located in the territory of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. It is mentioned in the context of the cities of refuge established for the Israelites, where individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter could seek asylum to avoid retribution until a fair trial could be conducted. The city of Bosor is referenced in the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees, which, while not part of the canonical Protestant Bible, provides historical context for the intertestamental period. In 1 Maccabees 5:26, Bosor is mentioned as a city that was captured by Judas Maccabeus during his campaign against the neighboring peoples who were hostile to the Jews.
2.
Personal Name:Bosor is also the name of the father of Balaam, the prophet who is known for his encounter with the Angel of the Lord and his talking donkey. In the New Testament, the apostle Peter refers to Balaam as "the son of Bosor" in
2 Peter 2:15 : "They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of wickedness." This reference highlights Balaam's error in pursuing material gain over obedience to God, serving as a warning against false teachers and prophets who lead others astray for personal benefit.
The name Bosor, in the context of Balaam's lineage, is a variant of the name Beor, as found in the Old Testament. In
Numbers 22:5 , Balaam is described as "the son of Beor," indicating that Bosor and Beor are likely the same individual, with Bosor being a transliteration or variant used in the Greek text of the New Testament.
Theological Significance:The mention of Bosor in the New Testament serves as a cautionary example of the dangers of greed and false prophecy. Balaam's account is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the perils of allowing personal desires to override divine instruction. The reference to Bosor in 2 Peter underscores the continuity of biblical themes across both Testaments, emphasizing the consistency of God's message regarding righteousness and the consequences of straying from His path.
In summary, Bosor holds significance both as a historical location within the biblical narrative and as a personal name associated with a key biblical figure. Its mention in Scripture serves to reinforce moral and theological lessons that are central to the Christian faith.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bosorsame asBEOR. (2 Peter 2:15)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Chaldee or Aramaic form of the name Beor, the father of Balaam (
2 Peter 2:15).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BOSORbo'-sor (Bosor):
(1) A city named among those taken by Judas Maccabeus "in the land of Gilead" (1 Maccabees 5:26, 36). From the towns named it is evident that this phrase is elastic, covering territory beyond what is usually called the land of Gilead. Possibly therefore Bosor may be identical with Bucr el-Chariri, in the Luchf, Southeast of el-Leja'.
(2) In2 Peter 2:15 the King James Version, the Greek form of BEOR (which see).
Greek
1007.Bosor --Bosor.... 1006, 1007.
Bosor. 1008 .
Bosor. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration:
Bosor Phonetic Spelling: (bos-or') Short
...Library
How Judas Subdued the Nations Round About; and How Simon Beat the...
... To this exhortation Judas hearkened, and returned to the wilderness; and in the
first place fell upon the inhabitants ofBosor, and took the city, and beat the...
Pergamos
... writing to the Dispersion, tells of this future time in 2 Peter 2. and in verse
15 he speaks specially of their "following in the way of Balaam the son ofBosor...
Perea. Beyond Jordan.
... Trachon, which is bounded at Bozra." Not Bozrah of Edom, Isaiah 63:1; nor Bezer
of the Reubenites, Joshua 20:8; but another, to wit, Bosorra, orBosor, in the...
No Salvation to the Jews Except through Christ.
... Who is this that cometh from Edom? in red garments fromBosor? This that
is beautiful in apparel, going up with great strength?...
Of the Effects of the Death of Christ, of his Triumph after It...
... to My Father," and "I go unto My Father,""then there are certain powers which say,
Who is this that cometh from Edom, red garments fromBosor; this that is...
The Washing Away of Sins is Indicated by the White Robes of the...
... In Isaiah, too, we find that the powers of heaven doubted and said: "Who is this
that cometh up from Edom, the redness of His garments is fromBosor, He who is...
How the Steps in the Passion of the Saviour were Predetermined in...
... that you may discover how anciently wine is used as a figure for blood, turn to
Isaiah, who asks, "Who is this that cometh from Edom, fromBosor with garments...
The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... marvellous head of heavenly adornment: O radiant as the sun which shines on heaven
and earth: thy hairs are known from Teman, thine eyes fromBosor, thine ears...
On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... Esaias saith, Who is this that cometh from Edom? the redness of His garments is
fromBosor [1594] ; (who is this who in dishonor weareth purple?...
The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... Accursed generation! ^15 they have gone wrong by leaving the straight road, by
following the road of Balaam son ofBosor, who liked the profits of evil-doing...
Thesaurus
Bosor (1 Occurrence)...BOSOR. bo'-sor (
Bosor): (1) A city named among those taken by Judas Maccabeus "in
the land of Gilead" (1 Maccabees 5:26, 36).
...Bosor (1 Occurrence).
...Beor (11 Occurrences)
... (2.) The father of Balaam (Numbers 22:5; 24:3, 15; 31:8). In 2 Peter 2:15
he is calledBosor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEOR....
Bezer (5 Occurrences)
... be'-zer (betser;Bosor, "strong"): (1) A city of refuge, set apart by Moses for
the Reubenites and located in the "plain country" (or table-land, Mishor) East...
Forsaken (110 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the
way of Balaam the son ofBosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (KJV...
Maked
... MAKED. ma'-ked (Maked, Makeb): A strong city East of the Jordan, not yet identified.
It is named along withBosor, Alema and Casphor (1 Maccabees 5:26)....
Bosora
Bosoms (1 Occurrence)
Bozrah (9 Occurrences)
... boz'-ra (botsrah, "sheepfold"; Bosorrha,Bosor): (1) The capital of Edom, a city
of great antiquity (Genesis 36:33 1 Chronicles 1:44 Isaiah 34:6; Isaiah 63:1...
Alema
... al'-e-ma (Alemois): A town in Gilead, mentioned once only (1 Maccabees 5:26), besieged
by the nations under Timotheus, together withBosor and other cities...
Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the
way of Balaam the son ofBosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (KJV...
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