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G1004 · Greek · New Testament
βόρβορος
borboros
Noun, masculine
Mud, Mire, Filth

Definition

The Greek noun borboros (G1004) refers to mud, mire, or filth — particularly the dirty, foul mud in which pigs wallow. It appears once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:22, as part of a proverb about the sow returning to wallow in the mire.

Usage & Theological Significance

Peter uses borboros as part of a devastating double proverb about false teachers and apostates: "The dog returns to its vomit" (from Proverbs 26:11) and "The sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire." The image is stark — those who know the truth and then return to their former corruption are compared to animals returning to their natural filth. This is a sobering warning about the danger of superficial conversion.

Key Bible Verses

2 Peter 2:22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: 'The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.'
Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome.
Revelation 22:11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure... think about these things.

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