From prophet to seducer - Tracing the literary tradition and reception history of the figure of Balaam - Fresh historical insights and new exegetic tools for Numbers-XX-XXIV

The article attempts for the first time to trace the tradition of the seer Balaam (Num 22-24) with the aid of questions asked by reception history. In contradistinction to previous works it becomes clear in this way that the differing positive or negative presentation of the figure of Balaam in text s dependent on Num 22-24 can be explained above all by the attitude of the relevant recipient to the problem of the foreign in relation to the people of God. It becomes apparent that the method of reception history presents a significant supplement to exegetic tools, that makes possible fresh histor ical insights into the content and effect of biblical texts.