In a satirical account, Numbers describes how a local, non-Israelite Transjordanian prophet and diviner is forced by YHWH to bless Israel instead of curse them. Deuteronomy recasts Balaam as a stereotypical Mesopotamian diviner from faraway Aram-Naharaim, making the point that YHWH’s power extends even into the heartland of Assyria.Some PaleoJudaica posts on the biblical figure of Balaam are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For posts on the Balaam inscription from Tel Deir 'Alla (Deir Alla), see here and links.
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