Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Jude · About this commentary
The Way of Cain, the Error of Balaam
Jude 1:11-13
11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. · WEB
Three men mark the road — self-willed worship, hired religion, rebellion against appointment — and five images from nature give the verdict: promise without substance.
The woe names three travelers. Cain's way is worship on the worshiper's own terms, souring into hatred of the brother whose offering was received Genesis 4:3–8 1 John 3:12. Balaam's error is the gift for hire — the prophet whose counsel sold Israel into sin at Peor for wages Numbers 31:16 2 Peter 2:15. Korah's rebellion is the assault on appointment itself, and the earth's mouth closed over it Numbers 16:31–33. The verbs escalate — went, ran riotously, perished — a walk becoming a stampede becoming a grave.
Then five images, every one a promise unkept. Hidden reefs — spilas G4694 — in the love feasts. Shepherds feeding themselves, the charge Ezekiel's woe already carried Ezekiel 34:2. Clouds without water, the boast of a gift never given Proverbs 25:14. Autumn trees with no fruit at harvest time, twice dead, uprooted. Wild waves foaming their own shame — the restless sea is Isaiah's picture of the wicked Isaiah 57:20 — and wandering stars, lights that hold no course and guide no one, for whom blackness of darkness is kept forever. The letter's verb again: their blackness is kept as surely as the saints are.
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