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Brute beasts and magnificent war horses
1. Brute beasts and magnificent war horses
2 Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; [kjv]
2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. [kjv]
The modern Greek word
"άλογο" (A-lo-go) ≈ "horse", in ancient times, came from the phrase
"άλογο ζώα" (A-lo-go ZO-a) ≈ "unspeaking/unthinking animal" and usually referred to a war horse (e.g., pulling a chariot, used in a mounted calvary attack, etc.). These were magnificent animals, trained to do whatever they were led to do by their rider/master - even to their own destruction.
The Greek for "
ass" is that of a pack animal doing work. The translators used the
OT (Old Testament) word rather than the word Peter wrote and appeared to mean to keep the military animal analogy consistent and meaningful.
2. A horse of another color: the name of Phillip
Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. [kjv]
ειπεν δε το πνευμα τω φιλιππω προσελθε και κολληθητι τω αρματι τουτω [gnt]
The modern Greek word
"Φίλιππος" (FEE-leep-pos) ≈ "Philip" as a name is, literally, a "
lover of horses". This name was popular in Bible times. There is more happening here that is interesting.
The modern Greek word "φίλος" (FEE-los) ≈ "friend, affection, love". The English word "philanthropy" is an "affection or love for man", "Philadelphia" is the "friendship of brothers" or "brotherly love".
The modern Greek word "άλογο" (A-lo-go) ≈ "horse" as used in 2 Peter and Jude to refer to "brute beasts" which were actually magnificent war horses.
3. Jude
Jude uses a similar saying about "brute beasts".
For context, the verse before and after are included.
4. Jude 1:9
KJV: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Greek: ο δε μιχαηλ ο αρχαγγελος οτε τω διαβολω διακρινομενος διελεγετο περι του μωσεως μωυσεως σωματος ουκ ετολμησεν κρισιν επενεγκειν βλασφημιας αλλ αλλα ειπεν επιτιμησαι σοι κυριος
5. Jude 1:10
KJV: But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Greek: ουτοι δε οσα μεν ουκ οιδασιν βλασφημουσιν οσα δε φυσικως ως τα αλογα ζωα επιστανται εν τουτοις φθειρονται
6. Jude 1:11
KJV: Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Greek: ουαι αυτοις οτι τη οδω του καιν επορευθησαν και τη πλανη του βαλααμ μισθου εξεχυθησαν και τη αντιλογια του κορε απωλοντο
7. Peter
Peter talks of "brute beasts".
For context, the verse before and after are included.
8. 2 Peter 2:11
KJV: Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
Greek: οπου αγγελοι ισχυι και δυναμει μειζονες οντες ου φερουσιν κατ αυτων παρα κυριω βλασφημον κρισιν
9. 2 Peter 2:12
KJV: But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Greek: ουτοι δε ως αλογα ζωα γεγεννημενα φυσικα γεγενημενα εις αλωσιν και φθοραν εν οις αγνοουσιν βλασφημουντες εν τη φθορα αυτων καταφθαρησονται και φθαρησονται
10. 2 Peter 2:13
KJV: And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Greek: κομιουμενοι αδικουμενοι μισθον αδικιας ηδονην ηγουμενοι την εν ημερα τρυφην σπιλοι και μωμοι εντρυφωντες εν ταις απαταις αυτων συνευωχουμενοι υμιν
11. Balaam
Peter, a few verses later, uses the other term for military horses, that of pack animals. This is done from the story of Balaam and the donkey (ass).
For context, the verse before and after are included.
12. 2 Peter 2:15
KJV: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Greek: καταλιποντες την καταλειποντες ευθειαν οδον επλανηθησαν εξακολουθησαντες τη οδω του βαλααμ του βοσορ βεωρ ος μισθον αδικιας ηγαπησεν
13. 2 Peter 2:16
KJV: But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
Greek: ελεγξιν δε εσχεν ιδιας παρανομιας υποζυγιον αφωνον εν ανθρωπου φωνη φθεγξαμενον εκωλυσεν την του προφητου παραφρονιαν
14. 2 Peter 2:17
KJV: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Greek: ουτοι εισιν πηγαι ανυδροι νεφελαι και ομιχλαι υπο λαιλαπος ελαυνομεναι οις ο ζοφος του σκοτους εις αιωνα τετηρηται
15. Dumb ass
Here, the
KJV (King James Version) uses the term from the
OT story rather than the word used by Peter. That word appears to be juxtaposed with the "
brute beasts" as military war horses.
Both ideas are lost in the translation and so appears to be the intended meaning.
16. End of page
