pethor Summary and Overview

interpretation of dreams, identified with Pitru, on the west bank of the Euphrates, a few miles south of the Hittite capital of Carchemish (Num. 22:5, "which is by the river of the land of the children of [the god] Ammo"). (See BALAAM T0000421.)

(soothsayer), a town of Mesopotamia, where Balaam resided, and situated "upon the river," possibly the Euphrates. #Nu 22:5; De 23:4| Its position is wholly unknown.

PE'THOR (soothsayer ?), the native place of Balaam, situated "upon the river," probably the Euphrates, as it was in Mesopotamia. Num 22:5; Deut 23:4. Pethor has been supposed to be identical with Balis, on the Euphrates, where Benjamin of Tudela states there is the "tower of Balaam, son of Beor." Some scholars have recently proposed, however, to locate the country of Balaam in Syria, but this view lacks sufficient support. See Padan-aram.

A town of Mesopotamia. Balaam's abode (Numbers 22:5; Deuteronomy 23:4). Head quarters of the Magi, who congregated in particular spots (Strabo 16:1). From paathar "to open" or "reveal." Phathusae (Zosim. 3:14), S. of Circesium, and Bethauna (Ptolemy, 5:18, section 6), corruptions of Pethor, answer to Ahab, meaning the same in Arabic (Anatha, Ammian. Marcell. 24:1, 6); on an island in the river Euphrates, and partly also extending both sides of the river; for ages the seat of an ancient pagan worship; a good center for influencing the Arabs on the E. and the Aramaic tribes W. of the river.