Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. New Living Translation But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice. English Standard Version but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Berean Standard Bible But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Berean Literal Bible But he had reproof for his own violation of the law by a mute donkey; having spoken in a man’s voice, it restrained the madness of the prophet. King James Bible But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. New King James Version but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. New American Standard Bible but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet. NASB 1995 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. NASB 1977 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression; for a dumb donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. Legacy Standard Bible but he received a rebuke for his own lawlessness, for a mute donkey, speaking out with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. Amplified Bible but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Berean Annotated Bible But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Christian Standard Bible but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Holman Christian Standard Bible but received a rebuke for his transgression: A donkey that could not talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s irrationality. American Standard Version but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. Contemporary English Version But a donkey corrected him for this evil deed. It spoke to him with a human voice and made him stop his foolishness. English Revised Version but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. GOD'S WORD® Translation But he was convicted for his evil. A donkey, which normally can't talk, spoke with a human voice and wouldn't allow the prophet to continue his insanity. Good News Translation and was rebuked for his sin. His donkey spoke with a human voice and stopped the prophet's insane action. International Standard Version But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. NET Bible yet was rebuked for his own transgression (a dumb donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness). New Heart English Bible But he was rebuked for his own transgression; a donkey that could not talk spoke with a human voice and stopped the irrationality of the prophet. Webster's Bible Translation But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet. Weymouth New Testament But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. World English Bible but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A speechless donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand had a rebuke of his own iniquity—a mute donkey, having spoken in man’s voice, forbid the madness of the prophet. Berean Literal Bible But he had reproof for his own violation of the law by a mute donkey; having spoken in a man’s voice, it restrained the madness of the prophet. Young's Literal Translation and had a rebuke of his own iniquity -- a dumb ass, in man's voice having spoken, did forbid the madness of the prophet. Smith's Literal Translation And he had reprehension for his own iniquity: the dumb ass speaking in man's voice impeded the insanity of the prophet. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet. Catholic Public Domain Version Yet truly, he had a correction of his madness: the mute animal under the yoke, which, by speaking with a human voice, forbid the folly of the prophet. New American Bible but he received a rebuke for his own crime: a mute beast spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. New Revised Standard Version but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut who was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb ass, speaking with man’s voice, halted the folly of the prophet. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But the reproof of his violation was a dumb donkey which spoke with the voice of men, restraining the madness of the Prophet. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentbut he was rebuked for his iniquity,—the dumb beast, speaking with man's voice, restrained the madness of the prophet. Godbey New Testament the dumb workbeast having spoken with the voice of a man, rebuked the madness of the prophet. Haweis New Testament But received a reproof for his peculiar transgression: the dumb ass articulating with a human voice restrained the perverseness of the prophet. Mace New Testament but he was rebuked for his transgression: for an ass, as dumb as it was, spoke with an articulate voice, and reprimanded the extravagance of the prophet. Weymouth New Testament But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet. Worrell New Testament but had a rebuke for his own transgression; a dumb beast-of-burden, speaking in man's voice, forbade the prophet's madness. Worsley New Testament but was reproved for his transgression: for a dumb beast speaking with the voice of a man checked the madness of the prophet. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Deliverance from False Prophets…15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. 17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.… Cross References But he was rebuked for his transgression Numbers 31:16 “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. by a donkey, otherwise without speech, Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?” Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? that spoke with a man’s voice Numbers 22:29-30 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!” / But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?” “No,” he replied. Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” … and restrained the prophet’s madness. Numbers 22:33-35 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.” / “I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.” / But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility. Deuteronomy 23:4-5 For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Numbers 22:21-35 So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. / Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. / When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path. … Numbers 22:36-41 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. / And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to reward you richly?” / “See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.” … Numbers 23:1-12 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” / So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. / “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height, … Numbers 24:1-14 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, / and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, … Micah 6:5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” Acts 13:10 and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Treasury of Scripture But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet. the dumb. Numbers 22:22-33 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him… the madness. Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. Hosea 9:7 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. Jump to Previous Ass Beast Checked Disobedience Donkey Dumb Error Folly Forbad Forbid Human Iniquity Madness Mute Pointed Prophet Prophet's Rebuke Rebuked Received Reproof Speaking Speech Stop Stopped Talking Transgression VoiceJump to Next Ass Beast Checked Disobedience Donkey Dumb Error Folly Forbad Forbid Human Iniquity Madness Mute Pointed Prophet Prophet's Rebuke Rebuked Received Reproof Speaking Speech Stop Stopped Talking Transgression Voice2 Peter 2 1. Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;7. from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom; 10. and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers. But he was rebuked for his transgression This phrase refers to the prophet Balaam, whose story is found in Numbers 22-24. Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Despite knowing God's will, Balaam was tempted by the promise of wealth and honor. His transgression was his willingness to go against God's command for personal gain. This serves as a warning against the dangers of greed and the importance of obedience to God. by a donkey, otherwise without speech that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA prophet who is known for his encounter with the angel of the Lord and his talking donkey. Balaam is often remembered for his greed and willingness to curse Israel for financial gain. 2. The Donkey An animal that God used to speak to Balaam, demonstrating His power to use even the most unlikely of creatures to fulfill His purposes. 3. The Angel of the Lord A divine messenger who stood in Balaam's path to prevent him from cursing Israel, representing God's intervention and protection over His people. 4. Peter The apostle who authored this epistle, warning against false teachers and using Balaam as an example of those who lead others astray for personal gain. 5. False Teachers Individuals within the early church context who were leading believers away from the truth, similar to Balaam's misleading actions. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerGod can use any means, even a speechless animal, to accomplish His will and communicate His message. The Danger of Greed and False Teaching Balaam's account serves as a cautionary tale against allowing greed to lead us away from God's truth and into error. Divine Intervention Just as God intervened in Balaam's path, He continues to guide and protect His people from harm and deception. The Importance of Obedience Balaam's madness was restrained by a donkey, reminding us of the importance of listening to God's warnings and obeying His commands. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Peter 2:16?2. How does Balaam's story in 2 Peter 2:16 warn against false teachings? 3. What role does the "speechless donkey" play in demonstrating God's power? 4. How can we discern modern "Balaams" within the church today? 5. Why is it important to heed warnings from unexpected sources, like Balaam's donkey? 6. How does 2 Peter 2:16 connect with Numbers 22:21-34 regarding obedience to God? 7. Why did God allow Balaam's donkey to speak in 2 Peter 2:16? 8. What is the significance of Balaam's error mentioned in 2 Peter 2:16? 9. How does 2 Peter 2:16 challenge the belief in miracles? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 2? 11. 2 Peter 2:15 references Balaam; are there inconsistencies compared to his Old Testament narrative in Numbers 22-24? 12. In 2 Chronicles 25:16, what accounts for the rapid shift from listening to the prophet to threatening him, and is this abrupt change consistent with Amaziah's earlier deference to divine guidance? 13. In Job 33:14, if God truly speaks in multiple ways, why is there no verifiable evidence of such divine communication today? 14. What distinguishes 'prophecy' from 'prophesy'? What Does 2 Peter 2:16 Mean But he was rebuked for his transgression• Peter is recalling Balaam’s rebellion (Numbers 22:22-24, 31-34). Though Balaam knew God’s standards (Micah 6:5), he sought gain over obedience (2 Peter 2:15). • “Transgression” highlights willful crossing of a known line—sin against clear light (Hebrews 10:26). • God’s rebuke shows His faithfulness to confront sin before it ripens into greater harm (Revelation 3:19). by a donkey, otherwise without speech • The animal selected is ordinarily mute; Scripture calls it “a beast of burden” (Numbers 22:28). • God often chooses the weak or unlikely to shame the proud (1 Corinthians 1:27). • This detail underscores the miracle’s authenticity: a natural impossibility turned into God’s megaphone (Psalm 115:3). that spoke with a man’s voice • The donkey’s articulate words (Numbers 22:28-30) are presented as literal fact, not allegory. • This shows the Creator’s absolute sovereignty over creation; if He can give speech to a donkey, He can certainly guide human events (Luke 19:40). • Balaam could not deny the message, for it came through a creature he controlled—yet now the roles reverse (Job 12:7-10). and restrained the prophet’s madness • “Madness” describes Balaam’s reckless drive toward profit at Israel’s expense (Jude 11; Revelation 2:14). • The miraculous warning pulled him back from immediate destruction by the angel of the LORD (Numbers 22:32-33). • God’s intervention illustrates both justice and mercy: justice in exposing sin, mercy in offering a chance to repent (2 Peter 3:9). summary Peter uses Balaam to warn against false teachers who chase profit and lead others astray. God literally opened a donkey’s mouth to prove He will confront such arrogance. If the Lord employed a speechless animal to halt one prophet’s folly, He can certainly expose and judge modern deceit while offering sinners a merciful path back to truth. (16) But was rebuked for his iniquity.--Literally, But had a conviction of his own transgression--i.e., was convicted of it, or rebuked for it. His transgression was that, although as a prophet he knew the blessedness of Israel, and although God gave him leave to go only on condition of his blessing Israel, he went still cherishing a hope of being able to curse, and so winning Balak's promised reward.The dumb ass.--Literally, a dumb beast of burden. The same word is rendered "ass" in Matthew 21:5, in the phrase "foal of an ass." In Palestine the ass was the most common beast of burden, horses being rare, so that in most cases "beast of burden" would necessarily mean "ass." Forbad the madness.--Strictly, hindered the madness; and thus the trivial discrepancy which some would urge as existing between this passage and Numbers 22 disappears. It has been objected that not the ass but the angel forbad Balaam from proceeding. But it was the ass which hindered the infatuation of Balaam from hurrying him to his own destruction (Numbers 22:33). The word for "madness" is probably chosen for the sake of alliteration with "prophet"--prophetou paraphronian. It is a very rare formation, perhaps coined by the writer himself. Verse 16. - But was rebuked for his iniquity; literally, but had a rebuke for his own transgression. The word for "rebuke" (ἔλεγξιν) Occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The guilt of offering the wages of unrighteousness rested with Balak; Balaam's own transgression lay in his readiness to accept them - in his willingness to break the law of God by cursing, for filthy lucre's sake, those whom God had not cursed. The dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet. The word for "ass" is literally "beast of burden" (ὑποζύγιον, as in Matthew 21:5). "Dumb" is literally "without voice;" naturally without voice, it spake with the voice of man. The word ἐκώλυσεν, rendered "forbade," is rather "checked," or "stayed." The word for "madness" (παραφρονίαν) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The ass checked the prophet's folly by her shrinking from the angel, and by the miracle that followed; the angel, while permitting Balaam to expose himself to the danger into which he had fallen by tempting the Lord, forbade any deviation from the word to be put into his mouth by God. Balaam obeyed in the letter; but afterwards the madness which had been checked for the moment led him into deadly sin (Numbers 31:16). We observe that St. Peter assumes the truthfulness of the narrative in the Book of Numbers (see Mr. Clark's note in the 'Speaker's Commentary' on Numbers 22:28).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. he was ἔσχεν (eschen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. rebuked ἔλεγξιν (elenxin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1649: Rebuke, reproof, refutation. From elegcho; refutation, i.e. Reproof. for his ἰδίας (idias) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate. transgression παρανομίας (paranomias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3892: A transgression, violation of law. From the same as paranomeo; transgression: iniquity. by a donkey, ὑποζύγιον (hypozygion) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 5268: A beast of burden, an ass or mule. Neuter of a compound of hupo and zugos; an animal under the yoke, i.e., a donkey. [ otherwise ] without speech, ἄφωνον (aphōnon) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 880: Soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb. Figuratively, unmeaning. that spoke φθεγξάμενον (phthenxamenon) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 5350: To speak aloud, utter. Probably akin to pheggos and thus to phemi; to utter a clear sound, i.e. to proclaim. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. a man’s ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. voice φωνῇ (phōnē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. [and] restrained ἐκώλυσεν (ekōlysen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prophet’s προφήτου (prophētou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. madness. παραφρονίαν (paraphronian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3913: Madness, folly. From paraphroneo; insanity, i.e. Foolhardiness. Links 2 Peter 2:16 NIV2 Peter 2:16 NLT 2 Peter 2:16 ESV 2 Peter 2:16 NASB 2 Peter 2:16 KJV 2 Peter 2:16 BibleApps.com 2 Peter 2:16 Biblia Paralela 2 Peter 2:16 Chinese Bible 2 Peter 2:16 French Bible 2 Peter 2:16 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:16 But he was rebuked for his own (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) |
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