In historical and religious contexts, a follower of Balaam's teachings or practices, or someone accused of false prophecy and deception.
Formed from Balaam plus the suffix -ite, following the pattern of creating group names from Biblical figures (like Jacobite, Aaronite). Used in theological literature from the medieval period onward.
Medieval and Renaissance theologians used 'Balaamite' to insult their theological opponents—calling someone a Balaamite basically meant 'you're a false prophet in it for the money,' which was apparently a popular insult in religious debates.
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