The true proverb (2 Pet 2:22)

“It has happened

To them

According to the true proverb,

‘The dog turns back

To its own vomit.’

And

‘The sow is washed

Only to wallow

In the mud.’”

συμβέβηκεν αὐτοῖς τὸ τῆς ἀληθοῦς παροιμίας Κύων ἐπιστρέψας ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον ἐξέραμα, καί Ὗς λουσαμένη εἰς κυλισμὸν βορβόρου.

This author said, “It has happened (συμβέβηκεν) to them (αὐτοῖς) according to the true proverb (τὸ τῆς ἀληθοῦς παροιμίας), ‘The dog (Κύων) turns back (ἐπιστρέψας) to its own vomit (ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον ἐξέραμα).’ And (καί) ‘The sow (Ὗς) is washed (λουσαμένη) only to wallow (εἰς κυλισμὸν) in the mud (βορβόρου).’”  Among the canonical Greek New Testament writings, this is the only time that these words appeared in 2 Peter, the word ἐξέραμα, that means vomit, the word Ὗς, that means a hog, a boar, or a sow, as well as the word κυλισμὸν, that means a rolling or a place of wallowing, finally the word βορβόρου, that means mud, filth, or mire.  This author used these four unique words, while at the same time citing Proverbs, chapter 26:11, “A fool that reverts to his folly is like a dog that returns to its vomit”.  This true proverb described a fool.  Only a fool was a like a dog who returned to his own vomit.  Sows, pigs or boars were foolish also.  Once cleaned up, they went right back to their former behavior of wallowing in mud or filth.  The wicked evil unrighteous people were like dogs and pigs, both looked down upon in Jewish society.  They continued to be involved with bad behavior.  Are you involved with foolish bad behavior?