Peter says the false teachers have followed “the way of Balaam” who “loved gain from wrongdoing.” He notes that Balaam was rebuked for his transgression, with a donkey speaking to restrain him. Balaam serves as an example of greed-driven wrongdoing and divine rebuke. See 2 Peter 2:15–16.
In 2 Peter 2:15–16 the writer says the targeted teachers have abandoned the “right” path and wandered off, and he explains their drift by comparing them to Balaam. Balaam is remembered here as someone attracted to profit gained through wrongdoing. These lines sit inside a longer warning section about destructive teachers and the harm they bring (2:1–22). Just before this, the writer piles up vivid descriptions of their motives and conduct, including exploitation and a hunger for pleasure and gain (2:12–14).
Peter uses a “road” image to interpret the false teachers: they have left the “straight/right” way and intentionally wandered into another path (way). The Balaam reference functions as a moral memory from Israel’s Scriptures (Numbers 22–24): Balaam is remembered here as someone who wanted profit tied to wrongdoing, and who was publicly checked.
A common mistake is to treat this as trivia. Names, places, numbers, and sequence details often carry memory, covenant identity, or narrative movement in the biblical story.
Start with 2 Peter 2:15-16, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
15forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing;
16but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with man`s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.