Topical Bible: The Dog: Nothing Holy to be Given To

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In biblical literature, the term "dog" often carries a negative connotation, symbolizing impurity, uncleanliness, and moral depravity. This perception is rooted in the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, where dogs were generally not domesticated as pets but were instead seen as scavengers and associated with uncleanness.

The admonition against giving what is holy to dogs is explicitly stated in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs His followers, "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" (Matthew 7:6). This verse underscores the importance of discernment in sharing sacred truths, suggesting that holy teachings should not be offered to those who are likely to reject or profane them.

In the Old Testament, dogs are often mentioned in contexts that highlight their undesirable nature. For instance, in 1 Kings 14:11, the fate of those who die in the city is described with the grim imagery of dogs consuming their bodies: "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat." This portrayal reinforces the perception of dogs as creatures associated with death and defilement.

The term "dog" is also used metaphorically to describe individuals who exhibit morally reprehensible behavior. In Philippians 3:2, the Apostle Paul warns the church to "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" Here, "dogs" refers to false teachers and those who distort the gospel message, emphasizing the need for vigilance against corrupt influences.

In the cultural context of the Bible, dogs were not only seen as unclean but also as symbols of those outside the covenant community. In Revelation 22:15, the exclusion of "dogs" from the holy city is mentioned: "Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." This passage highlights the separation between the holy and the profane, with "dogs" representing those who are morally and spiritually impure.

The biblical view of dogs as unclean and unworthy of receiving what is holy serves as a metaphorical lesson on the sanctity of divine truths and the necessity of safeguarding them from those who would desecrate them. This perspective is consistent with the broader biblical theme of maintaining purity and holiness in the community of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:26
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Creaturely Man.
... Not as tho the Holy Spirit had nothing to do ... Not that we would be foolish on that
ground to call the dog half human; for these higher animal properties ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... made by the authority of a general holy synod, went ... like a piece of offal thrown
to a barking dog. ... been a general Council, though it lacked nothing as regards ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... to his vomit, because he remains a dog, and is not ... Nothing shall enter into the city
that defileth, neither ... Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... limbs, among which also one black dog, laying hold ... this filthy intercourse, you become
temples holy and pure ... will be again good-for-nothing, doing unprofitable ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers
... Probably, nothing makes a man seem so much like a maniac ... of the wicket gate, and
keeps the big dog to howl ... The Holy Ghost is given to this end: "He shall teach ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/loving advice for anxious seekers.htm

The Ascension of Christ
... openly in divers places, and yet not a dog dare move ... There is nothing in heaven,
or earth, or hell, that can ... But to some persons the Holy Spirit is given more ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the ascension of christ.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Bartholomew.
... Thou livest and reignest in unity of the Holy Spirit for ... And when ye behold Him,
fear nothing; but when I ... as soot; his face sharp like a dog's, thin-cheeked ...
/.../martyrdom of the holy and.htm

Of the Fourth Consideration of the Sacred, Holy Stigmata
... or shrieking piteously, or at times by barking like a dog. ... the care of the Order,
I have nothing to do ... in his power to conceal the sacred, holy stigmata, for ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/of the fourth consideration of.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... is the dwelling of all the Blissful, is nothing else than ... The Holy Ghost is truly
Spirit, coming forth from the ... for mercy and crumbs, the food of a dog that is ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... Banyan that we wished we had been a dog or a ... that he might spend his hatred on, but
nothing which could ... given us the jewel in our forehead"a holy courage for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm