King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Waterless springs they are, mists driven by a gust of wind; for them has been reserved the blackest darkness.
Berean Standard Bible:
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
American Standard Version:
These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
These{G3778} are{G1526} wells{G4077} without water{G504}, clouds{G3507} that are carried{G1643} with{G5259} a tempest{G2978}; to whom{G3739} the mist{G2217} of darkness{G4655} is reserved{G5083} for{G1519} ever{G165}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jude 1:12
- These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13
- Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Jeremiah 14:3
- And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
Ephesians 4:14
- That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
2 Peter 2:4
- For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Matthew 8:12
- But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Job 6:14
- ¶ To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
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Commentary for 2 Peter 2:17
2 Peter 2:17 is a verse that forms part of an epistle traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, although modern scholarship often considers it to be written by an unknown author in Peter's name. The epistle is believed to have been composed in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD, addressing various Christian communities that were facing challenges from false teachers and moral corruption within their ranks.
In this verse, Peter is continuing his warning against false prophets and teachers who have infiltrated the church. He uses two metaphors to illustrate the emptiness and deceptive nature of these false teachers. First, he compares them to "wells without water," suggesting that they promise spiritual sustenance but offer nothing of substance to those who seek it. This is a poignant image in an arid region where a well without water is not only useless but also potentially dangerous, leading travelers to a false hope and possibly to their demise.
Second, Peter likens these deceivers to "clouds that are carried with a tempest," which appear to bring life-giving rain but instead are swept along by strong winds, leaving no benefit behind. This metaphor emphasizes the transient and untrustworthy nature of the false teachers, who may seem substantial and full of promise like a raincloud but are actually devoid of true spiritual nourishment.
The verse concludes with a sobering declaration that "the mist of darkness is reserved for ever" for these false teachers. This suggests that their ultimate fate is to be enveloped in perpetual spiritual darkness, a stark contrast to the light and truth that genuine faith in Christ offers. The "mist of darkness" may also allude to the confusion and moral obscurity that these teachers spread, which leads others astray.
Overall, 2 Peter 2:17 conveys a strong caution against the allure of false teachings that were present in the early Christian communities. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to adhere to the true teachings of Christianity, as false prophets and teachers not only fail to provide spiritual sustenance but also lead others away from the path of salvation. The historical context reflects the early church's struggle to maintain doctrinal purity and communal integrity in the face of various heretical movements and moral threats.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3778
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὗτος
Transliteration: hoûtos
Pronunciation: how'-tahee
Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who. - Strong's Number: G1526
There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰσί
Transliteration: eisí
Pronunciation: i-see'
Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were. - Strong's Number: G4077
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πηγή
Transliteration: pēgḗ
Pronunciation: pay-gay'
Description: probably from πήγνυμι (through the idea of gushing plumply); a fount (literally or figuratively), i.e. source or supply (of water, blood, enjoyment) (not necessarily the original spring):--fountain, well. - Strong's Number: G504
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνυδρος
Transliteration: ánydros
Pronunciation: an'-oo-dros
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and ὕδωρ; waterless, i.e. dry:--dry, without water. - Strong's Number: G3507
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νεφέλη
Transliteration: nephélē
Pronunciation: nef-el'-ay
Description: from νέφος; properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud:--cloud. - Strong's Number: G1643
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐλαύνω
Transliteration: elaúnō
Pronunciation: el-ow'-no
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (obsolete except in certain tenses as an alternative of this) of uncertain affinity; to push (as wind, oars or dæmonical power):--carry, drive, row. - Strong's Number: G5259
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπό
Transliteration: hypó
Pronunciation: hoop-o'
Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately. - Strong's Number: G2978
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαῖλαψ
Transliteration: laîlaps
Pronunciation: lah'-ee-laps
Description: of uncertain derivation; a whirlwind (squall):--storm, tempest. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G2217
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζόφος
Transliteration: zóphos
Pronunciation: dzof'-os
Description: akin to the base of νέφος; gloom (as shrouding like a cloud):--blackness, darkness, mist. - Strong's Number: G4655
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκότος
Transliteration: skótos
Pronunciation: skot'-os
Description: from the base of σκιά; shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively):--darkness. - Strong's Number: G5083
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τηρέω
Transliteration: tēréō
Pronunciation: tay-reh'-o
Description: from (a watch; perhaps akin to θεωρέω); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from φυλάσσω, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from κουστωδία, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G165
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αἰών
Transliteration: aiṓn
Pronunciation: ahee-ohn'
Description: from the same as ἀεί; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end). Compare χρόνος.