and another Jewish tradition identifies Laban and Balaam as the same person--indeed, both were known for their sorcery. According to the Midrash, the wall against which Balaam's leg was crushed by his donkey was the very mound of stones from Laban and Jacob's covenant. By plotting to harm the Jews, Balaam was violating the covenant he had made to never harm Jacob's descendants.

Laban can be seen as symbolizing those whose concern for the welfare of their immediate family, nominally a virtue, is taken to the point where it has lasting