Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, dogs were generally viewed with disdain and were not typically kept as household pets as they are in many cultures today. The Bible often uses dogs to symbolize uncleanliness, contempt, or danger, reflecting the cultural attitudes of the ancient Near East.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, dogs are frequently associated with negative imagery. For instance, in
1 Kings 14:11 , it is prophesied that "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat." This reflects the view of dogs as scavengers, consuming the remains of the dead, which was considered a disgraceful fate. Similarly, in
1 Kings 21:23-24 , the prophet Elijah foretells that dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel, further emphasizing the ignoble role of dogs in biblical narratives.
The book of Psalms also uses dogs metaphorically to describe enemies or evildoers.
Psalm 22:16 states, "For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet." Here, dogs symbolize the threatening presence of adversaries.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, dogs continue to carry a negative connotation. In
Matthew 7:6 , Jesus warns, "Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces." This passage uses dogs to represent those who are unworthy or incapable of appreciating sacred truths.
The apostle Paul also uses the term "dogs" in a derogatory sense in
Philippians 3:2 , where he cautions, "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" Here, "dogs" refers to false teachers or those who pervert the gospel.
Cultural ContextIn the ancient Near East, dogs were primarily seen as wild scavengers rather than domesticated companions. They roamed the streets and fields, often feeding on refuse and carrion. This behavior contributed to their negative portrayal in biblical texts. However, it is worth noting that some cultures within the region did use dogs for herding or guarding livestock, though this is not prominently reflected in the biblical narrative.
Symbolism and InterpretationThe consistent use of dogs in a negative light throughout the Bible serves as a symbolic representation of impurity, danger, and moral corruption. This symbolism is rooted in the cultural and historical context of the biblical authors, who viewed dogs as unclean animals. The biblical portrayal of dogs underscores the broader theme of distinguishing between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean, which is a recurring motif in Scripture.
While the Bible does not provide a comprehensive view of dogs as we understand them today, its references to dogs offer insight into the cultural and spiritual values of the time. The use of dogs as symbols of impurity and danger reflects the broader biblical narrative's emphasis on holiness, righteousness, and the rejection of evil.
ATS Bible Dictionary
DogsWere held in great contempt by the Jews, but were worshipped, as well as cats, by the Egyptians. Among the Jews, to compare a person to a dog was the most degrading expression possible, 1 Samuel 17:43 24:14 2 Samuel 9:8. The state of dogs among the Jews was the same that now prevails in the East, where, having no owners, they run about the streets in troops, and are fed by charity or caprice, or live on such offal as they can pick up. As they are often on the point of starvation, they devour corpses, and in the night even attack living men, Psalm 59:6,14,15 1 Kings 14:11. In various places in Scripture the epithet "dogs" is given to certain classes of men, as expressing their insolent rapacity, Matthew 7:6 Psalm 22:16 Philippians 3:2, and their beastly vices, De 23:18 2 Peter 2:22 Revelation 22:15.
Greek
4657. skubalon -- refuse ... 4657 (from 2965 , "dog" and 906 , "throw") -- properly, thrown to
dogs, like filthy
scraps of garbage (table-scraps, dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively
... 2952. kunarion -- a little dog
... Cognate: 2952 -- properly, puppy, a diminutive of 2965 ("dog"). Word Origin dim.
of kuon Definition a little dog NASB Word Usage dogs (4). dog, puppy. ...
2965. kuon -- a dog
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a dog NASB Word Usage dog (1), dogs (4). dog.
A primary word; a dog ("hound") (literally or figuratively) -- dog. ...
Strong's Hebrew
3611. keleb -- a dog... 3610, 3611. keleb. 3612 . a dog. Transliteration: keleb Phonetic Spelling:
(keh'-leb) Short Definition:
dogs. Word Origin of uncertain
... Library
Children and Little Dogs
... CHILDREN AND LITTLE DOGS. ... And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: yet
the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.29. ...
For a Case must be Imagined...
... Book VII. 17 Lo, if dogs " for a case must be imagined? Lo, if
dogs"for a case must be imagined, in order that things may ...
The Children and the Dogs
... Mark CHAPTER 7:24-30 THE CHILDREN AND THE DOGS. ... But she answered and saith unto Him,
Yea, Lord: even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. ...
Of the Woman of Canaan who Said, "Yet the Dogs Eat of the Crumbs ...
... Chapter XLIX."Of the Woman of Canaan Who Said, "Yet the Dogs Eat of the Crumbs Which
Fall from Their Masters' Tables," And of the Harmony Between the Account ...
Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. ... Wherefore
he overshadows it on every side. But whom does he style "dogs"? ...
Chapter xx.
... they may do more harm than if they were to conceal them altogether and always, He
very rightly adds: "Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast ye ...
Exposition of the Details in the Narrative.
... which reproaches her with baseness of birth and exhibits the measure of her worthiness,
namely, that she was worthy of crumbs as the little dogs, but not of ...
Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
... and said, ^b unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet [suitable,
becoming] to take the children's bread and to cast it to the dogs. ...
Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
... in the case of this poor heathen coming to petition, and being tried by being told
that she could not be heard, because she belonged to the dogs, not the ...
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me!" But he answered and said,
"It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." And she ...
Thesaurus
Dogs (30 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Dogs (30 Occurrences). Matthew 7:6 "Don't give
that which is holy to the
dogs, neither throw your pearls
...Wild-dogs (2 Occurrences)
Wild-dogs. Wild-cats, Wild-dogs. Wilder . Multi-Version Concordance
Wild-dogs (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 13:22 And wolves ...
Dog (19 Occurrences)
...Dogs were used by the Hebrews as a watch for their houses (Isaiah 56:10), and for
guarding their flocks (Job 30:1). There were also then as now troops of semi ...
Lick (8 Occurrences)
... Lick (8 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell
from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...
Licked (4 Occurrences)
... Licked (4 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell
from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...
Jez'ebel (19 Occurrences)
... See RSV). 1 Kings 21:23 And of Jezebel also spoke the LORD, saying: The
dogs shall eat Jezebel in the moat of Jezreel. (See RSV). 1 ...
Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... iyim, the Revised Version (British and American) "wolves" (Isaiah 13:22; Isaiah
34:14 Jeremiah 50:39): While the wolf is surpassed in size by some dogs, it is ...
Jizreel (30 Occurrences)
... Samaria. (Root in DBY). 1 Kings 21:23 And of Jezebel also spoke Jehovah saying,
The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the moat of Jizreel. (DBY). ...
Bits (54 Occurrences)
... used. (BBE). Matthew 15:27 But she said, Yes, Lord: but even the dogs take
the bits from under their masters' table. (BBE). Matthew ...
Crumbs (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:27 But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall
from their masters' table." (WEB KJV ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
Resources
What is the difference between Microevolution and Macroevolution? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naboth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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