In the context of the Bible, the act of licking is mentioned in a few instances, often symbolizing submission, humility, or the fulfillment of prophecy. The act itself is not a central theme in Scripture but appears in specific narratives and prophetic imagery.

1. Licking as a Sign of Submission and Humility:
· In ancient Near Eastern cultures, licking the dust or the feet of another person was a gesture of deep submission and humility. This imagery is used in the Bible to depict the subjugation of enemies or the reverence shown to a superior.
· Psalm 72:9 states, "May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust." This verse is part of a royal psalm that speaks of the reign of a righteous king, often interpreted as a messianic prophecy. The act of enemies licking the dust signifies their complete defeat and submission to the king's authority.

2. Prophetic Imagery:
· The prophets often used vivid imagery to convey messages of judgment or restoration. In Isaiah 49:23 , the act of licking is used to describe the reverence and honor that will be shown to God's people: "Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you face down and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame."
· This passage highlights the reversal of fortunes for the people of Israel, where those who once oppressed them will acknowledge their God-given status and honor them.

3. Narrative Context:
· In the account of Lazarus and the rich man, found in Luke 16:19-31, the detail of dogs licking Lazarus' sores is mentioned. While the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly use the word "lick" in this passage, the imagery is often associated with the narrative. This act can be seen as a symbol of Lazarus' destitution and the compassion shown by the dogs, contrasting with the indifference of the rich man.

4. Cultural and Symbolic Significance:
· Licking, in biblical times, could also be associated with animals, particularly dogs, which were often seen as unclean. The act of licking by animals could symbolize impurity or degradation, depending on the context.
· In some interpretations, the act of licking by animals is seen as a natural, instinctive behavior, contrasting with the moral and spiritual lessons being conveyed in the human narratives.

Overall, while the act of licking is not a predominant theme in the Bible, its occurrences carry significant symbolic weight, often illustrating themes of submission, humility, and the fulfillment of divine prophecy.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lick.

2. (n.) A lapping with the tongue.

3. (n.) A flogging or castigation.

1952b. epileicho -- to lick over
... 1952a, 1952b. epileicho. 1953 . to lick over. Transliteration: epileicho
Short Definition: licking. Word Origin from epi and leicho ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1952b.htm - 5k

4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... From pros and a probable derivative of kuon (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking
his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, ie (literally or figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4352.htm - 10k

3956. lashon -- tongue
... shone'}; also (in plural) feminine lshonah {lesh-o-naw'}; from lashan; the tongue
(of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or ...
/hebrew/3956.htm - 6k

Of St. Paul, and the Person whom He Urges the Corinthians to ...
... him, all in haircloth and ashes, a compound of disgrace and horror, before the widows,
before the elders, suing for the tears of all, licking the footprints of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter xiii of st paul and.htm

Marvellous History of the Death of a Gentleman who Died of Love on ...
... the Son of God, little infant of the Virgin, had watered that holy stable, kissing
and kissing again a hundred times that sacred earth, and licking the dust on ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii marvellous history of.htm

St. Ambrose Having Set Forth the virgin Mary as a Pattern for Life ...
... 20. The beast was to be seen lying on the ground, licking her feet, showing without
a sound that it could not injure the sacred body of the virgin. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii st ambrose having.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You ...
... Set him before your eyes lying on the ground, "full of sores, and the dogs" coming
and "licking his sores." Now when ye recall him before your eyes in this ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lii on the words.htm

Psalm LXXXIII.
... "Gebal," "a vain valley," that is, humble in pretence. "Amon," "an unquiet people,"
or "a people of sadness." "Amalech," "a people licking;" whence elsewhere ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

He Abandons the School-Room. Remarkable Meeting Near Alexandria. ...
... They had frequent confessions, and a blacksmith across Licking River, who preached,
met them at the water, when notified, to attend to baptizing. ...
/.../chapter xi he abandons the.htm

The Protevangelium.
... As an expression of deepest humiliation, the [Pg 25] licking of dust is used in
Micah 7:17, where it is said of the enemies of the Church, "They shall lick ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

The Lord's Furnace
... The licking tongues surround the wretched hut, built of combustibles, and up
go wood and hay and stubble, in a smoking flare, and disappear. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the lords furnace.htm

Carmel
... of Elijah ended than flames of fire, like brilliant flashes of lightning, descend
from heaven upon the upreared altar, consuming the sacrifice, licking up the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 11 carmel.htm

Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard ...
... to text and letter, and yet know {246} nothing of God or of spiritual life.[20]
"If you be always handling the letter of the Word, always licking the letter ...
/.../chapter xiii early english interpreters.htm

Licking (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lick. 2. (n.) A lapping with the tongue. 3. (n.) A flogging
or castigation. Multi-Version Concordance Licking (1 Occurrence). ...
/l/licking.htm - 6k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... lap; the edges lap. 19. (vi) To take up drink or food with the tongue;
to drink or feed by licking up something. 20. (vi) To make ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Licketh (1 Occurrence)

/l/licketh.htm - 6k

Lick (8 Occurrences)
... master's hand. 2. (vt) To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat
licks milk. 3. (n.) A stroke of the tongue in licking. 4. (n ...
/l/lick.htm - 10k

Licks (1 Occurrence)

/l/licks.htm - 6k

Desired (144 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 16:21 and desiring to be filled from the crumbs that are falling from
the table of the rich man; yea, also the dogs, coming, were licking his sores. ...
/d/desired.htm - 34k

Cankerworm (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews yelek), "the licking locust," which licks up
the grass of the field; probably the locust at a certain stage of its growth ...
/c/cankerworm.htm - 10k

Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... 21:27-29), but the blow fell at the battle of Ramoth-gilead, and Jehu would not
be unmindful of the prophet's words as he beheld the dogs licking Ahab's blood ...
/j/jehu.htm - 47k

Falling (233 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Luke 16:21 and desiring to be filled from the crumbs that are falling from
the table of the rich man; yea, also the dogs, coming, were licking his sores. ...
/f/falling.htm - 36k

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