Pethor

Pethor was the hometown of Balaam son of Beor, described in Numbers 22:5 as "which is near the River" — a reference to the Euphrates — and in Deuteronomy 23:4 as in Mesopotamia. Ancient Assyrian records mention a city Pitru on the western bank of the Euphrates near Carchemish in northern Syria, which most scholars identify with biblical Pethor. Balak of Moab sent messengers from Moab to Pethor to summon Balaam to curse Israel — a journey of several hundred miles reflecting Balaam's reputation as a powerful diviner of international standing.