2 Peter 2:16

Modern

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.

Traditional

But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Literal

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.

Latin

…correptionem vero habuit suæ vesaniæ: subjugale mutum animal, hominis voce loquens, prohibuit prophetæ insipientiam.

Greek

English

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.

This description of the false teachers focuses more on how they were living than on what they were teaching.

Theme notes and profiles

Numbers 22:21–33
So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
Acts 26:11
I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
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.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
Luke 16:11
So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?
Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.
Acts 26:24–25
At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”