BALAN, Pietro. - Priest, controversialist, and historian, born at Este on 3 September 1840, died at Pragatto (Bologna) on 17 February 1893. Of indomitable spirit, keen intellect, and wide-ranging and well-grounded historical learning, he took an active part in the heated political-ecclesiastical controversies of the day and in the most combative journalism in defence of the rights of the Church, in vindication of
who is presented as the first king of Moab (Num. 21:26): he was perhaps the predecessor of B. or B. himself. Upon learning of the irreparable defeat of his erstwhile powerful enemy, he grew afraid and, unaware that God had forbidden the Israelites from attacking the Moabites, the descendants of Lot (Deut. 2:9), thought to resort to a supernatural power. He sent Moabite and Midianite envoys (neighbours of Moab and also descendants of Terah) to the famous diviner Balaam (q.v.) so that, through his sorcery, he might drive back the invaders. Balaam came, but, constrained by the true God, blessed the Israelites, foretelling their future glory, and departed, leaving B. disappointed.