### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun μανία (manía) `{{G3130}}` is derived from the verb μαίνομαι (mainomai) `{{G3105}}`, which means "to be mad," "to rave," "to be out of one's mind," or "to be beside oneself." Consequently, μανία denotes a state of "madness," "frenzy," "insanity," or "delirium." It describes a mental condition characterized by a loss or severe impairment of reason, often accompanied by agitated, irrational, or violent behavior. While in classical Greek it could encompass both divine ecstasy and destructive rage, its biblical usage, though limited, leans towards a state of profound mental or spiritual derangement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term μανία (manía) `{{G3130}}` appears only once in the New Testament:
* [[2 Peter 2:16]]: "but was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness."
This verse refers to the Old Testament account of Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Peter highlights the extraordinary intervention of God through a talking donkey to prevent Balaam from fully succumbing to his "madness." Balaam's "madness" here is not merely a psychological affliction but a spiritual and moral aberration. Despite being a prophet who heard God's voice, he was driven by covetousness and a desire for reward, leading him to attempt to curse Israel against God's explicit command. His "madness" signifies his irrational, self-destructive pursuit of gain, blinding him to divine truth and leading him towards rebellion. The donkey's rebuke serves to expose the profound absurdity and perversity of Balaam's spiritual state.
### Related Words & Concepts
* μαίνομαι (mainomai) `{{G3105}}`: The root verb, meaning "to be mad." This verb is used more frequently in the New Testament to describe how people perceived Jesus ([[John 10:20]]) or Paul ([[Acts 26:24]])—that they were "out of their mind" or "insane." This highlights a perceived departure from normal rational thought or behavior.
* ἔκστασις (ekstasis) `{{G1611}}`: While also denoting a state of being "beside oneself," ἔκστασις often refers to a trance or ecstasy, which can be divinely induced and lead to prophetic visions ([[Acts 10:10]], [[Acts 22:17]]). The distinction from μανία lies in the nature and source of the departure from normal consciousness; μανία typically carries a negative connotation of irrationality or destructive frenzy, whereas ἔκστασις can be a positive, Spirit-led experience.
* ἀφροσύνη (aphrosyne) `{{G877}}`: Folly, foolishness, lack of understanding or prudence. While not synonymous, μανία can be understood as an extreme and dangerous manifestation of spiritual or moral ἀφροσύνη, where foolishness escalates into a state of profound and destructive irrationality.
* πλάνη (plane) `{{G4106}}`: Error, delusion, wandering from the truth. Balaam's μανία in [[2 Peter 2:16]] is directly linked to his πλάνη—his wandering from the righteous path and his embrace of error driven by corrupt motives. This connection underscores the spiritual dimension of μανία in this context.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of μανία in [[2 Peter 2:16]] carries profound theological weight. It describes the state of Balaam, a prophet who, despite his divine gifting, allowed himself to be consumed by avarice and rebellion against God's explicit will. This "madness" is not presented as a clinical illness but as a spiritual and moral derangement, illustrating the severe consequences of allowing greed and self-interest to corrupt one's spiritual discernment and obedience.
The narrative of Balaam serves as a powerful cautionary tale against false prophets and teachers who, driven by similar spiritual "madness" (i.e., avarice and spiritual perversion), lead others astray. Peter explicitly draws this parallel, stating that those who "have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam" ([[2 Peter 2:15]]) are characterized by a similar spiritual μανία. The divine intervention through the donkey underscores God's sovereignty and His willingness to use even the most unconventional means to expose and correct those who are on a path of spiritual self-destruction and leading others into error. It highlights the gravity of such a state in the eyes of God, where reason and divine truth are abandoned for personal gain.
### Summary
μανία (manía) `{{G3130}}` denotes "madness," "frenzy," or "insanity," stemming from the verb μαίνομαι `{{G3105}}` ("to be mad"). Its sole occurrence in the New Testament, at [[2 Peter 2:16]], describes Balaam's "madness." This is portrayed not as a mere mental affliction but as a deep spiritual and moral derangement, fueled by covetousness and rebellion against God's commands. Balaam's irrational pursuit of personal gain led him down a destructive path, from which he was miraculously rebuked by his donkey. Theologically, μανία in this context serves as a potent warning against the corrupting power of greed and the spiritual blindness it engenders, particularly for those in positions of spiritual influence. It emphasizes the perilous state of abandoning divine truth for worldly profit, resulting in profound spiritual disorientation and error.
TRV