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2 Peter 2:16

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Peter 2:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man`s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man`s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.
2 Peter 2:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Peter 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; [men] that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;
14having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing;
15forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the [son] of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
16but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man`s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.
17These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved.
18For, uttering great swelling [words] of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
19promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
← 2 Peter 2:152 Peter 2:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But was rebuked for his iniquity, etc.] Which was not merely going along with the messengers of Balak, for he had leave from the Lord so to do, (<042220>Numbers 22:20); but going along with them with a desire to curse Israel, when it was the will of God he should go and bless them, in order to get Balak's money; so that his governing iniquity was covetousness, which led him to other sins; and for this he was rebuked by the angel, (<042232>Numbers 22:32), as well as reproved by his ass, (<042228>Numbers 22:28): for the dumb ass, as it was naturally so, the ass on which he rode, speaking with man's voice; which was supernatural and miraculous, for it was God that opened the mouth of the ass:…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“was rebuked--Greek, "had a rebuke," or conviction; an exposure of his specious wickedness on his being tested (the root verb of the Greek noun means to "convict on testing"). his--Greek, "his own": his own beast convicted him of his own iniquity. ass--literally, "beast of burden"; the ass was the ordinary animal used in riding in Palestine. dumb--Greek, "voiceless-speaking in man's voice"; marking the marvellous nature of the miracle. forbade--literally, "hindered." It was not the words of the ass (for it merely deprecated his beating it), but the miraculous fact of its speaking at all, which withstood Balaam's perversity in desiring to go after God had forbidden him in the first instance.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But was rebuked for his iniquity - The object of Peter in this seems to be to show that God employed the very extraordinary means of causing the ass on which he rode to speak, because his iniquity was so monstrous. The guilt of thus debasing his high office, and going forth to curse the people of God - a people who had done him no wrong, and given no occasion for his malediction - was so extraordinary, that means as extraordinary were proper to express it. If God employed means so extraordinary to rebuke “his” depravity, it was to be expected that in some appropriate way he would express his sense of the wickedness of those who resembled him. The dumb ass, speaking with man’s voice - Numbers…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The beast - Though naturally dumb. 2 Peter 2:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the dumb: Num 22:22-33 the madness: Ecc 7:25, Ecc 9:3; Hos 9:7; Luk 16:11; Act 26:11, Act 26:24, Act 26:25 2 Peter 2:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification