John Bengel Commentary - 2 Peter 2:4 - 2:4

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John Bengel Commentary - 2 Peter 2:4 - 2:4


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2Pe 2:4. Εἰ, if) The Apodosis is contained in 2Pe 2:9.-ἀγγέλων, angels) The most noble of created beings: Rom 8:38, note.-οὐκ ἐφείσατο, spared not) Thus also 2Pe 2:5. A severe judgment is intimated against those, whom you might have supposed likely to escape.-σειραῖς) σειρὰ, a twisted rope, of twig, hemp, hair, etc. Thus δεσμοῖς, in chains, Jud 1:6.-ζόφου, of darkness) Darkness itself keeps them prisoners, and is as a chain. Wis 17:17, Septuagint, ἁλύσει σκότους ἐδέθησαν, they were bound with a chain of darkness.-ταρταρώσας) The noun is ὁ καὶ ἡ τάρταρος, plural τάρταρα; the verb, ταρταρόω: it does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, nor in the Septuagint. Therefore the meaning must be sought for from other sources, from Homer, Hesiod, and Plato: according to whom Tartarus is the lowest place in nature; most dreadful with darkness and cold. Whence Hesychius: τάρταρος, ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν γῆν κατώτατος τόπος, Tartarus, the lowest place beneath the earth. Eustathius, on the Iliad, book vii., τάρταρος, ὅς φερωνύμως τετάρακται, ἀὴρ ὑπόγαιος καὶ ἀνήλιος, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ψυχρός, κ.τ.λ., Tartarus, which, in accordance with its name, is in confusion [deriving Τάρταρος from ταράσσω], is a thick haze[6] under ground without the sun, and on this account is also cold. And this idea is confirmed by the word ζόφου, of darkness, here used. Thence ταρταροῦν, from ταρταρόω, is to sentence and consign to Tartarus, or darkness. Similar forms are θανατόω, κατιόω, κυκλόω, πυρόω, σκοτόω, σταυρόω, ταπεινόω, φιμόω. But it is possible for slaves of Tartarus to dwell also on earth: Luk 8:31; Eph 2:2; Rev 9:11; Rev 9:14; Rev 12:9, etc.: just as it is possible for one taken captive in war to walk even beyond the place of his captivity. Step by step, therefore, the angels who have sinned, are given to Tartarus (ταρταροῦνται).-παρέδωκεν, delivered) them; just as the judge delivers the prisoner to the officers. Compare Rev 20:2.-εἰς κρίσιν τηρουμένους, reserved unto judgment) the judgment of the great day, Jud 1:6.

[6] The lower air or haze (ἀηρ) is opposed to the pure upper air (αἰθήρ). See Hom. Il. xiv. 288.-T.