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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Peter 2:16 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_peter/2-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/61_2Pe_02_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Peter 2:16 - Deliverance from False Prophets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. <a href="/bsb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But he had reproof for his own transgression by a mute donkey; having spoken in a man's voice, it restrained the madness of the prophet. <a href="/kjv/2_peter/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. <a href="/nkjv/2_peter/2.htm">New King James Version</a> but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. <a href="/nasb_/2_peter/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet. <a href="/nasb/2_peter/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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. <a href="/nasb77/2_peter/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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. <a href="/lsb/2_peter/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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. <a href="/amp/2_peter/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. <a href="/csb/2_peter/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. <a href="/hcsb/2_peter/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but received a rebuke for his transgression: A donkey that could not talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet&#8217s irrationality. <a href="/asv/2_peter/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. <a href="/cev/2_peter/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But a donkey corrected him for this evil deed. It spoke to him with a human voice and made him stop his foolishness. <a href="/erv/2_peter/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. <a href="/gwt/2_peter/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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. <a href="/gnt/2_peter/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> and was rebuked for his sin. His donkey spoke with a human voice and stopped the prophet's insane action. <a href="/isv/2_peter/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But he was rebuked for his offense. A donkey that normally cannot talk spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's insanity. <a href="/msb/2_peter/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_peter/2.htm">NET Bible</a> yet was rebuked for his own transgression (a dumb donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness). <a href="/nheb/2_peter/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/2_peter/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet. <a href="/wey/2_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet. <a href="/web/2_peter/2.htm">World English Bible</a> but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A speechless donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_peter/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and had a rebuke of his own iniquity—a mute donkey, having spoken in man’s voice, forbid the madness of the prophet. <a href="/blb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But he had reproof for his own transgression by a mute donkey; having spoken in a man's voice, it restrained the madness of the prophet. <a href="/ylt/2_peter/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and had a rebuke of his own iniquity -- a dumb ass, in man's voice having spoken, did forbid the madness of the prophet. <a href="/slt/2_peter/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he had reprehension for his own iniquity: the dumb ass speaking in man's voice impeded the insanity of the prophet.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_peter/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But 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. <a href="/cpdv/2_peter/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> 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. <a href="/nabre/2_peter/2.htm">New American Bible</a> but he received a rebuke for his own crime: a mute beast spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. <a href="/nrsvce/2_peter/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_peter/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But who was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb ass, speaking with man’s voice, halted the folly of the prophet. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_peter/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But the reproof of his violation was a dumb donkey which spoke with the voice of men, restraining the madness of the Prophet.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/2_peter/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> but he was rebuked for his iniquity,?the dumb beast, speaking with man's voice, restrained the madness of the prophet. <a href="/godbey/2_peter/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> the dumb workbeast having spoken with the voice of a man, rebuked the madness of the prophet. <a href="/haweis/2_peter/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But received a reproof for his peculiar transgression: the dumb ass articulating with a human voice restrained the perverseness of the prophet.<CM> <a href="/mace/2_peter/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/wey/2_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a human voice and checked the madness of the Prophet. <a href="/worrell/2_peter/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but had a rebuke for his own transgression; a dumb beast-of-burden, speaking in man's voice, forbade the prophet's madness. <a href="/worsley/2_peter/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> but was reproved for his transgression: for a dumb beast speaking with the voice of a man checked the madness of the prophet. <a href="/parallel/2_peter/2-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gzcat0SlE18?start=393" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_peter/2.htm">Deliverance from False Prophets</a> …15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eschen (V-AIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">he was</a> <a href="/greek/1649.htm" title="1649: elenxin (N-AFS) -- Rebuke, reproof, refutation. From elegcho; refutation, i.e. Reproof.">rebuked</a> <a href="/greek/2398.htm" title="2398: idias (Adj-GFS) -- Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.">for his</a> <a href="/greek/3892.htm" title="3892: paranomias (N-GFS) -- A transgression, violation of law. From the same as paranomeo; transgression: iniquity.">transgression</a> <a href="/greek/5268.htm" title="5268: hypozygion (N-NNS) -- 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.">by a donkey,</a> <a href="/greek/880.htm" title="880: aphōnon (Adj-NNS) -- Soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb. Figuratively, unmeaning.">otherwise without speech,</a> <a href="/greek/5350.htm" title="5350: phthenxamenon (V-APM-NNS) -- To speak aloud, utter. Probably akin to pheggos and thus to phemi; to utter a clear sound, i.e. to proclaim.">that spoke</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man’s</a> <a href="/greek/5456.htm" title="5456: phōnē (N-DFS) -- Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.">voice</a> <a href="/greek/2967.htm" title="2967: ekōlysen (V-AIA-3S) -- To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.">and restrained</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētou (N-GMS) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophet’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3913.htm" title="3913: paraphronian (N-AFS) -- Madness, folly. From paraphroneo; insanity, i.e. Foolhardiness.">madness.</a> 17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/22-21.htm">Numbers 22:21-35</a> 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. ... <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a> Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a> 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. <a href="/numbers/22-36.htm">Numbers 22:36-41</a> 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.” ... <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Numbers 23:1-12</a> 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, ... <a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1-14</a> 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, ... <a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4-5</a> 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. <a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Micah 6:5</a> 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.’” <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Acts 13:10</a> 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? <a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a> For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. <a href="/1_kings/22-21.htm">1 Kings 22:21-23</a> Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. / And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.” <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-17</a> Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? <a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a> The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. <a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16</a> Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.the dumb.<a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">Numbers 22:22-33</a> 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.<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a> 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:<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:3</a> 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.<a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/12-15.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-20.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/mark/3-12.htm">Checked</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-11.htm">Disobedience</a> <a href="/john/12-14.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-2.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Error</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-9.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Forbad</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-21.htm">Human</a> <a href="/james/3-6.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/acts/26-24.htm">Madness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-2.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/titus/1-12.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-20.htm">Prophet's</a> <a href="/titus/2-15.htm">Rebuke</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Rebuked</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm">Received</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">Reproof</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-12.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/james/3-14.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-2.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-18.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/revelation/4-7.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Checked</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Disobedience</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/exodus/4-11.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Error</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-37.htm">Forbad</a> <a href="/genesis/44-7.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Human</a> <a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Madness</a> <a href="/exodus/4-11.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/jude/1-14.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/revelation/1-3.htm">Prophet's</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Rebuke</a> <a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Rebuked</a> <a href="/1_john/2-7.htm">Received</a> <a href="/job/6-25.htm">Reproof</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/3_john/1-10.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/genesis/8-2.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/revelation/1-10.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">2 Peter 2</div>1. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;</a> 7. <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom;</a> 10. <a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_peter/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But he was rebuked for his transgression This phrase refers to the prophet Balaam, whose story is found in <a href="/numbers/22.htm">Numbers 22-24</a>. 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 The donkey, an animal typically without the ability to speak, becomes the instrument of God's message. This highlights God's sovereignty and ability to use any means to accomplish His purposes. The use of a donkey, a humble and lowly creature, contrasts with Balaam's status as a prophet, emphasizing that God can use the least expected to fulfill His will. This also serves as a reminder of the humility required in serving God.that spoke with a man’s voice The miraculous event of the donkey speaking with a human voice underscores the seriousness of Balaam's error. It is a supernatural intervention that captures Balaam's attention and serves as a divine rebuke. This event is unique in Scripture, illustrating the lengths to which God will go to correct and guide His people. It also prefigures the concept of God using unexpected voices to convey His truth, as seen in the New Testament with the inclusion of Gentiles and others outside the traditional Jewish framework.and restrained the prophet’s madness Balaam's madness refers to his irrational and sinful desire to defy God's will for personal gain. The term "madness" indicates a departure from wisdom and reason, which is often associated with sin in biblical literature. The restraint provided by the donkey's intervention prevented Balaam from proceeding further into sin, demonstrating God's mercy and patience. This phrase serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pursuing one's own desires over God's commands and the importance of heeding divine warnings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a> A 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. <a href="/topical/t/the_donkey.htm">The Donkey</a> 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. <a href="/topical/t/the_angel_of_the_lord.htm">The Angel of the Lord</a> 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. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> 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. <a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a> Individuals within the early church context who were leading believers away from the truth, similar to Balaam's misleading actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a> God can use any means, even a speechless animal, to accomplish His will and communicate His message. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_greed_and_false_teaching.htm">The Danger of Greed and False Teaching</a> Balaam's account serves as a cautionary tale against allowing greed to lead us away from God's truth and into error. <a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a> Just as God intervened in Balaam's path, He continues to guide and protect His people from harm and deception. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Balaam's madness was restrained by a donkey, reminding us of the importance of listening to God's warnings and obeying His commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_peter_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 2</a> <a href="/q/are_2_peter_2_15_and_numbers_22-24_inconsistent.htm">2 Peter 2:15 references Balaam; are there inconsistencies compared to his Old Testament narrative in Numbers 22-24?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_amaziah_threaten_the_prophet.htm">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?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_god's_speech_today.htm">In Job 33:14, if God truly speaks in multiple ways, why is there no verifiable evidence of such divine communication today?</a> <a href="/q/advice_for_a_new_convert.htm">What distinguishes 'prophecy' from 'prophesy'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_peter/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 <a href="/matthew/21-5.htm" title="Tell you the daughter of Sion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.">Matthew 21:5</a>, 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 (<a href="/numbers/22-33.htm" title="And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain you, and saved her alive.">Numbers 22:33</a>). 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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_peter/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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 <a href="/matthew/21-5.htm">Matthew 21:5</a>). "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 (<a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Numbers 31:16</a>). 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 <a href="/numbers/22-28.htm">Numbers 22:28</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_peter/2-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. he was ἔσχεν (eschen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. rebuked ἔλεγξιν (elenxin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1649.htm">Strong's 1649: </a> Rebuke, reproof, refutation. From elegcho; refutation, i.e. Reproof. for his ἰδίας (idias) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate. transgression παρανομίας (paranomias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3892.htm">Strong's 3892: </a> A transgression, violation of law. From the same as paranomeo; transgression: iniquity. by a donkey, ὑποζύγιον (hypozygion) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5268.htm">Strong's 5268: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_880.htm">Strong's 880: </a> Soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb. Figuratively, unmeaning. that spoke φθεγξάμενον (phthenxamenon) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5350.htm">Strong's 5350: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_5456.htm">Strong's 5456: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_2967.htm">Strong's 2967: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_3913.htm">Strong's 3913: </a> Madness, folly. From paraphroneo; insanity, i.e. Foolhardiness. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_peter/2-16.htm">2 Peter 2:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-16.htm">NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:16 But he was rebuked for his own (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Peter 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Peter 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Peter 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Peter 2:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>