2 Peter 2

2 Peter · Chapter 2

2 Peter 2:22

1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.4For 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;5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.12But 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;13And 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;14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22But 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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
22But 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.Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

What happened to them fits the true proverb: "The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." They went back to what they had left. 2 Peter 2:212 Peter 2:22

SpeakingSimon Peter, "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," who saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount. 2 Peter overview

To"Them that have obtained like precious faith"; traditionally the same believers as 1 Peter, in Asia Minor. 2 Peter overview

Also involvedThose described in 2:20-21. 2 Peter 2:202 Peter 2:22

This proverb closes chapter 2 and the description of the false teachers and their followers. 2 Peter 2:222 Peter overview

The letter names no place. If the readers are those of 1 Peter, they were in Asia Minor; tradition places Peter in Rome at the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

The eventsThe verse gives no date of its own. Peter writes near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Scholarly: many hold a follower wrote it in Peter's name, perhaps AD 100-150; others accept that Peter wrote it near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

HerePeter uses vivid, familiar images to show the shame of returning to sin. 2 Peter 2:22

In the whole of Scripture"As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly" (Proverbs 26:11). Proverbs 26:11

For readersPeter says it would have been better not to have known the way of righteousness than to turn from it after knowing it (2:21). "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly" (Proverbs 26:11). 2 Peter 2:212 Peter 2:22Proverbs 26:11

  • proverbπαροιμία
    Greek · paroimia · G3942

    The word means a proverb, a saying. The lexicon lists John 10:6 among its uses. Strong's G3942

  • dogκύων
    Greek · kuōn · G2965

    The word means a dog. The lexicon lists Matthew 7:6 and Philippians 3:2 among its uses. Strong's G2965

  • vomitἐξέραμα
    Greek · exerama · G1829

    The word means vomit. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G1829

  • sowὗς
    Greek · hus · G5300

    The word means a female pig. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G5300

  • mireβόρβορος
    Greek · borboros · G1004

    The word means mud, mire. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G1004

Takeaway

They are like the proverb: a dog returns to its vomit and a washed sow to the mud. 2 Peter 2:22Proverbs 26:11

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
Has happenedσυμβέβηκενsumbebēkenG4819
to happen

συμβαίνω (sumbainō) συμ-βαίνω [in LXX for עָשָׂה, קָרָא, קָרָה, etc. ;] 1. to stand with the feet together. 2. to come together, come to terms. 3. Of events, to come to pass, happen: with dative of person(s), Mrk.10:32, Act.3:10 20:19, 1Co.10:11, 1Pe.4:12, 2Pe.2:22; absol., τὰ σνμβεβηκότα, Luk.24:14 (cf. 1Ma.4:26); with accusative and nf., Act.21:35.† (AS)

nowδὲdeG1161
then

δέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; …

to themαὐτοῖςautoisG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

trueἀληθοῦςalēthousG0227
true

ἀληθής (alēthēs) ἀληθής, -ές (λήθω = λανθάνω, hence primarily, unconcealed, manifest; hence, actual, real), [in LXX for אֶמֶת, etc. ;] (a) of things, true, conforming to reality: Jhn.4:18 5:31-32 6:55 (= ἀληθινός, which see) Jhn.8:13-14, 17 10:41 19:35 21:24, Act.12:9, Php.4:8, Tit.1:13, 1Pe.5:12, 2Pe.2:22, 1Jn.2:6, 3Jn.12; (b) of persons, truthful: Mat.22:16, Mrk.12:14, Jhn.3:33 7:18 8:26, Rom.3:4, 2Co.6:8.† …

proverb:παροιμίας·paroimiasG3942
proverb

παροιμία (paroimia) παροιμία, -ας, ἡ (πάροιμος, by the way), [in LXX. Pr title Pro.1:1 25:1, (מָשַׁל) subscr., Sir.6:35 8:8 18:29 39:3 47:17 * ;] 1. a wayside saying (Hesych.; see LS, see word), a byword, maxim, proverb: 2Pe.2:22. 2. In NT, of figurative discourse (as מָשַׁל, Isa.14:4, al.), a parable, allegory: Jhn.10:6 16:25, 29 (see Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.).† SYN.: παραβολή, q.v (AS)

A dogκύωνkuōnG2965
dog

κύων (kuōn) κύων, κυνός, ὁ, ἡ (in NT masc. only), [in LXX forכֶּלֶב ;] a dog: Luk.16:21, 2Pe.2:22; metaphorically, as a word of reproach, Mat.7:6, Php.3:2, Rev.22:15.† (AS)

having returnedἐπιστρέψαςepistrepsasG1994
to turn

ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō) ἐπι-στρέφω [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for שׁוּב, in its various senses, also for פָּנָה, etc. ;] 1. trans., to turn about, round or towards, hence metaphorically, to turn, cause to return (to God, virtue, etc.): Luk.1:16-17 (cf. Mal.3:24), Jas.5:19-20. 2. Intrans., …

toἐπὶepiG1909
upon/to/against

ἐπί (epi) ἐπί (before a smooth breathing ἐπ᾽, before a rough breathing ἐφ᾽), prep. with genitive, dative, accusative (accusative most frequently in NT), with primary sense of superposition, on, upon. I. C. genitive, 1. of place, answering the question, where? …

[its] ownἴδιονidionG2398
one's own/private

ἴδιος (idios) ἴδιος, -α, -ον (in Attic usually -ος, -ον), [in LXX chiefly for of person(s) suff., also for לָהֶם, etc.; (τὰ ἴ.) בֵּיתוֹ ;] 1. one's own; (a) of that which is private and personal (in cl. opposite to κοινός, δημόσιος; cf. infr. 3); …

vomit;ἐξέραμα·exeramaG1829
vomit

ἐξέραμα (exerama) ἐξέραμα, -τος, τό (ἐξεράω, to evacuate, disgorge) a vomit: 2Pe.2:22 (LXX).† (AS)

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

A sowὗςhusG5300
sow

ὗς (hus) ὗς, ὑός, ὁ, ἡ [in LXX for חֲזִיר ;] swine: fem. (sow), 2Pe.2:22,† (AS)

having washedλουσαμένηlousamenēG3068
to wash

λούω (louō) λούω [in LXX chiefly for רָחַץ (frequently of ceremonial washing; cf. Deiss., BS, 226 f.) ;] to bathe, wash the body: with accusative of person(s), Act.9:37 (of a dead body); id. before ἀπό (Deiss., BS, l.with), Act.16:33; pass. ptcp. pf., Jhn.13:10, Heb.10:22; mid., to wash oneself (Mayor, in l; M. Pr., 155 f., 238 f.), 2Pe.2:22; metaphorically, Rev.1:5, Rec., R, mg. (cf. ἀπο-λούω).† SYN.: νίπτω, used of parts of the body-hands, feet, face; πλύνω, of things, as garments, etc. (see Lev.15:11; cf. Tr., Syn., § xlv) (AS)

to [her]εἰςeisG1519
toward

εἰς (eis) εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). I. Of place. 1. After verbs of motion; (a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; (b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; (with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; …

rolling placeκυλισμὸνkulismonG2946
wallowing

κύλισμα (kulisma) κύλισμα, -τος, τό (κυλίω), [in Sm.: Eze.10:13 * ;] 1. a roll. 2. = κυλισμός (which see), a rolling, wallowing (or, as κυλίστρα, Xen., Eq., see 3, a rolling place): 2Pe.2:22 (Rec.).† (AS)

in [the] mire.βορβόρου.¶borborouG1004
mire

βόρβορος (borboros) βόρβορος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX: Je 45(38):6 (טִיט)* ;] mud, filth: 2Pe.2:22.† (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.