Topical Bible: The Dog: Unclean

◄ The Dog: Unclean ►

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In the biblical context, dogs are often associated with uncleanness and are frequently mentioned in a negative light. The cultural and religious perceptions of dogs during biblical times were vastly different from modern views, where dogs are often seen as beloved pets and companions.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, dogs are primarily depicted as scavengers and symbols of impurity. They are often associated with the unclean and the profane. In the book of Exodus, dogs are mentioned in the context of the plagues of Egypt, where it is noted that not even a dog would bark against the Israelites, highlighting the divine protection over God's people (Exodus 11:7).

The book of Deuteronomy further emphasizes the negative connotation of dogs by associating them with male cult prostitutes, referred to as "dogs" in some translations. Deuteronomy 23:18 states, "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." This passage underscores the impurity and abomination associated with dogs in the religious practices of the time.

In 1 Kings 14:11 , the fate of the house of Jeroboam is pronounced, stating, "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and anyone who dies in the field, the birds of the air will eat." This prophecy serves as a curse, illustrating the disgrace and dishonor of being consumed by dogs, creatures considered unclean.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues the theme of dogs as symbols of uncleanness and moral depravity. 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." Here, dogs are used metaphorically to represent those who are unworthy or incapable of appreciating sacred truths.

In Philippians 3:2 , the Apostle Paul cautions 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 impurity and danger to the Christian community.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

In biblical times, dogs were not domesticated in the way they are today. They roamed in packs, scavenging for food, and were often associated with death and decay. This cultural backdrop contributes to the negative portrayal of dogs in the Scriptures. They were seen as unclean animals, both physically and symbolically, representing moral and spiritual corruption.

The biblical depiction of dogs serves as a powerful metaphor for impurity, unfaithfulness, and those who reject or defile what is holy. This portrayal is consistent with the broader biblical theme of distinguishing between the clean and the unclean, the holy and the profane, as part of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:21
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether a Man May Make Oblations of Whatever He Lawfully Possesses ...
... Reply to Objection 2: According to the Law, a dog was deemed an unclean
animal. Yet other unclean animals were redeemed and their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man may make.htm

Hazael
... in the stupid game of the prodigal, in drunkenness, and gambling, and unclean living. ...
overstep the line you may depend upon it." "Is thy servant a dog, that he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hazael.htm

On the Animals
... Here they think that the lion is the devil, the dog is a true gentile or a ... The frogs
are demons; in the Apocalypse: and I saw three unclean spirits in the form ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iv on the animals.htm

Chapter xx.
... through their anger and wrathfulness. Moreover, both animals are unclean,
the dog as well as the swine. We must therefore be on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx 2.htm

The Making of a Prophet
... sharpened to catch His lowest whisper; eyes that, like those of a dog fixed on ... But
divine goodness and love cannot find a way by which the unclean shall dwell ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the making of a prophet.htm

The Throne of Grace
... God, makes a mistake; he has not brought an offering that God can accept, any more
than if he had struck off a dog's neck, or offered an unclean sacrifice. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
... a diminutive, such as often used to indicate affection] had an unclean spirit, having ...
He uses the diminutive for the word dog, thus indicating a tame pet, and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxvii healing a phoenician womans.htm

Original Sin
... thou wilt deny Christ, he would have said, Is thy servant a dog?' But alas! ... As whatever
the leper touched became unclean; such a leprosy is original sin; it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 original sin.htm

Psalm XCVI.
... honour Him by confession of their sins, they vomit the evils which they had greedily
devoured; they return not to their vomit, like the unclean dog; [4431] and ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcvi.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... who remained fasting on graves in order to communicate with an unclean spirit; and ...
a, b). The other remedy proposed is the excrement of a white dog mixed with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm