Topical Bible: The Dog: Infested Cities by Night

◄ The Dog: Infested Cities by Night ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, dogs were often viewed with disdain and associated with uncleanliness and wildness. Unlike the domesticated pets we know today, dogs in ancient Israel were typically scavengers, roaming the streets and countryside in search of food. This perception is reflected in various biblical passages, where dogs are often mentioned in negative contexts.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The Bible frequently uses dogs as symbols of impurity and moral corruption. In the Old Testament, dogs are often depicted as creatures that roam the night, infesting cities and consuming refuse. In 1 Kings 14:11 , it is written, "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and anyone who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat, for the LORD has spoken." This passage illustrates the role of dogs as scavengers, consuming the remains of the dead, which was considered a disgraceful fate.

In Psalm 59:6 , the psalmist describes his enemies as dogs: "They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city." Here, dogs are used metaphorically to represent wicked men who plot evil under the cover of darkness. The imagery of dogs prowling the city at night underscores their association with danger and moral decay.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, dogs were not typically kept as household pets. Instead, they were often semi-wild, living on the fringes of human settlements. Their presence in cities, especially at night, was a common sight, as they scavenged for food among the refuse and waste. This behavior contributed to their negative reputation, as they were seen as unclean animals that thrived in filth and disorder.

The Mosaic Law further reinforced the negative view of dogs. In Deuteronomy 23:18 , it is stated, "You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the earnings of a dog into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God." Here, the term "dog" is used as a derogatory reference, possibly to male prostitutes, indicating the low regard in which dogs were held.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the negative connotations associated with dogs persist. In Philippians 3:2 , Paul warns the believers, "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" Paul uses the term "dogs" to describe false teachers and those who pervert the gospel, emphasizing their corrupt and dangerous nature.

Similarly, in Revelation 22:15 , dogs are listed among those excluded from the holy city: "Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." This passage reinforces the idea that dogs symbolize those who are morally impure and unworthy of entering the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, dogs are consistently portrayed in a negative light, symbolizing impurity, danger, and moral corruption. Their presence in cities, particularly at night, serves as a metaphor for the chaos and wickedness that can pervade human society. The biblical depiction of dogs reflects the cultural attitudes of the time, where these animals were seen as scavengers and outcasts, living on the margins of civilization.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 59:14,15
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... who is a king and ruler over many cities, and I ... to a desert; and hearing that it
was infested by robbers ... went forth out of that boy, fleeing like a mad dog. ...
/.../the arabic gospel of the infancy of the saviour/the arabic gospel of the.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... travel on a road which he hears is infested by robbers ... Have done, then, with that
dog-like petulance which may ... the men for our people, and for the cities of our ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... a bit of land which seems hopelessly infested with weeds ... are a few weedy Spurges,
two Dog's Mercuries"weeds ... and colour around tropic estates and cities as we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... of classical times as the Oarians, who infested the coasts ... mixture of races was found
in other cities, and Memphis ... meet with his death by a serpent, a dog, or a ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Prince, exiled from Egypt with his dog, pursues his ... 10, 1831, which in a single night
destroyed half ... territory belonging to the great cities between Babylon ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... up into Egypt under cover of night, slew and ... He built cities, among them Thebes itself,
according to ... the sycamore were lands of terror, infested by serpents ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... towards the earth, but a baleful night spreads itself ... to the first rank among the
Phoenician cities. ... boggy pasture land, desolate wastes infested with serpents ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Ionians, and the Greeks of various cities did later on ... of pirates, Shardana and others,
who infested the Delta ... through the twelve hours of the night, its trials ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... warriors sleep in unhonoured graves beneath the ashes of their cities, their prowess ...
to domestic use, such as the ass, buffalo, sheep, goat, dog, and dromedary ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... of a wife, the undaunted courage of a man; a long battle with adversity, crowned
with the joy of love's reunion; the meeting with servant, nurse, dog, son, wife ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm