English Standard Version
2 Peter 2:22
22What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."
2 Peter 2:22 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
- New International Version (NIV)Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
Context of 2 Peter 2:22
20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."
Read all of 2 Peter 22 Peter 2:22 word by word
συμβέβηκεν αὐτοῖς τὸ τῆς ἀληθοῦς παροιμίας· κύων ἐπιστρέψας ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον ἐξέραμα· καὶ ὗς λουσαμένη εἰς κυλισμὸν βορβόρου.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- it is happenedσυμβαίνωsumbainō · to happenG4819
- unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- according to theπαροιμίαparoimia · proverbG3942
- trueἀληθήςalēthēs · trueG227
- The dogκύωνkuōn · dogG2965
- turnedἐπιστρέφωepistrephō · to turnG1994
- toἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- his ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- vomitἐξέραμαexerama · vomitG1829
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- the sowὗςus · sowG5300
- that was washedλούωlouō · to washG3068
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- her wallowingκύλισμαkulisma · wallowingG2946
- in the mireβόρβοροςborboros · mireG1004
Cross-references for 2 Peter 2:22
Commentaries on 2 Peter 2:22
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22According to the true proverb - This seems to be a reference to Proverbs 26:11; : קאו אל שב ככלב kekeleb shab al keo ; as the dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool repeateth his folly. In substance this proverb is found among the rabbins; so Midrash Ruth, in Sohar Chadash, fol. 62: Orphah is returned to her mire, Ruth persevered in spirit; and again, Ibid. fol. 64: "Orphah, which is הבהמית נפש nephesh habbehemith, the bestial soul, is returned to her…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb - The meaning of the proverbs here quoted is, that they have returned to their former vile manner of life. Under all the appearances of reformation, still their evil nature remained, as really as that of the dog or the swine, and that nature finally prevailed. There was no thorough internal change, any more than there is in the swine when it is washed, or in the dog. This passage, therefore, would…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22“A dog returns to its vomit”: In biblical times, people did not see dogs as friendly family animals. They saw them as wild and unclean. “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud”: This saying may come from a well-known book of wisdom called Ahiqar from around 500 BC. One version says, “My son, you have been to me like the pig who went into the hot bath with people of quality, and when it came out of the hot bath, it saw a filthy hole and…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. But--You need not wonder at the event; for dogs and swine they were before, and dogs and swine they will continue. They "scarcely" (2Pe 2:18) have escaped from their filthy folly, when they again are entangled in it. Then they seduce others who have in like manner "for a little time escaped from them that live in error" (2Pe 2:18). Peter often quoted Proverbs in his First Epistle (1Pe 1:7; 2:17; 4:8, 18); another proof that both Epistles come from the…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Peter 2:22
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Peter 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries