2 Peter 2:16–17

2:16 yet was rebuked59 for his own transgression (a dumb donkey,60 speaking with a human voice,61 restrained the prophet’s madness).62

2:17 These men63 are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness64 have been reserved.

59	tn Grk “but he had a rebuke.”
60	tn The Greek word ἄφωνος (aphōnos) means “mute, silent” or “incapable of speech.” For reasons of English style the word “dumb” was used in the translation. Despite the potential for misunderstanding (since “dumb” can refer to a lack of intellectual capability) more dynamic glosses were judged to be inelegant.
61	tn Grk “a voice of a (man/person).”
62	sn Balaam’s activities are detailed in Num 22–24 (see also Num 31:8, 16).
63	tn Although some translations have simply “these” or “these people,” since in v. 14 they are described as having eyes “full of an adulteress,” men are in view.
64	tn Grk “utter darkness of darkness.” Verse 4 speaks of wicked angels presently in “chains of utter darkness,” while the final fate of the false teachers is a darker place still.