The term "snout" refers to the projecting nose and mouth of an animal, particularly in reference to swine or other creatures with a prominent nasal structure. In the context of the Bible, the snout is mentioned in relation to animals that are considered unclean according to Mosaic Law.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 11:22 : "Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." This proverb uses the imagery of a pig's snout to illustrate the incongruity of external beauty without inner wisdom or discretion. The snout of a pig, an unclean animal in Jewish law, is contrasted with the value of gold, highlighting the folly of valuing outward appearance over inner virtue.

2. Leviticus 11:7 : "And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you." The snout of the pig is implicitly referenced here as part of the animal's anatomy that makes it recognizable. The pig's snout, used for rooting in the ground, symbolizes its unclean nature, as pigs were considered unfit for consumption under the dietary laws given to the Israelites.

3. Isaiah 65:4 : "sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs, and having polluted broth in their bowls." The mention of eating pigs, which have prominent snouts, underscores the defilement associated with such practices. The snout, as part of the pig, is emblematic of the broader theme of ritual impurity.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In biblical times, the snout of an animal, particularly that of a pig, carried significant cultural and religious implications. The pig's snout, used for foraging and rooting, was often associated with behaviors considered unclean or undesirable. This association is reflected in the dietary laws of the Old Testament, where pigs were deemed unclean animals, and their consumption was prohibited for the Israelites.

Theologically, the snout serves as a metaphor for discernment and purity. Just as a gold ring in a pig's snout is out of place, so too is beauty without discretion or wisdom. This metaphor extends to the broader biblical theme of inner purity and the importance of aligning one's actions and character with God's commandments.

Symbolism:

The snout, particularly of the pig, symbolizes the tension between external appearances and internal realities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inner purity and the dangers of valuing superficial attributes over spiritual integrity. The biblical use of the snout as a metaphor encourages believers to seek wisdom and discretion, aligning their lives with the teachings of Scripture.1. (n.) The long, projecting nose of a beast, as of swine.

2. (n.) The nose of a man; -- in contempt.

3. (n.) The nozzle of a pipe, hose, etc.

4. (n.) The anterior prolongation of the head of a gastropod; -- called also rostrum.

5. (n.) The anterior prolongation of the head of weevils and allied beetles.

6. (v. t.) To furnish with a nozzle or point.

3456. mukterizo -- to turn up the nose or sneer at
... mock. From a derivative of the base of mukaomai (meaning snout, as that whence lowing
proceeds); to make mouths at, ie Ridicule -- mock. see GREEK mukaomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3456.htm - 6k639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger
... 1), double (1), face (15), faces (4), forbearance* (1), ground (1), nose (10), noses
(1), nostril (1), nostrils (13), quick-tempered* (1), snout (1), wrath (8 ...
/hebrew/639.htm - 6k

The Fourth Book
... The sacred word bore witness to this in the divine writings, saying: "As a jewel
of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

Proverbs
... translation. There are flashes of humour too: As a ring of gold in a swine's
snout, So is a fair woman without discretion, xi.22. Withhold ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/proverbs.htm

The Young Knight: a Parable
... But by there came a mighty boar, His jowl and tushes red with gore, And
on his curled snout he bore A bracelet rich and rare O! ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the young knight a parable.htm

Martin Lightfoot's Song {346}
... 'And what wilt thou do, thou foul old sow? And what wilt thou do for me?' 'Oh, there
hangs in my snout a jewel of gold, And that will I give to thee.'. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/martin lightfoots song 346.htm

Let that which was Then Said by Our Lord be the General Maxim for ...
... this perfect note, and it be marred by the succeeding [1457] discord of the soul,
this thing becomes but "the jewel of gold in the swine's snout [1458] " or ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xvii let that which.htm

The Answer to the Effect that Bad Men Cannot Possess True ...
... volume and to committing the Scriptures to memory, yet forsake not carnal sins,
it is well said in Proverbs: "Like as a golden ring in a swine's snout so is ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi the answer to.htm

Of the Holy Barses, and of the Exile of the Bishop of Edessa and ...
... [718] Oxyrynchus on the Nile, at or near the modern Behnese (?) was so called because
the inhabitants worshipped the "sharp-snout," or pike. Strabo xvii. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xiv of the holy barses.htm

Worth of Beauty. September 23.
... that physical beauty is the deepest of all spiritual symbols; and that though beauty
without discretion be the jewel of gold in the swine's snout, yet the ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /worth of beauty september 23.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... As, then, the gold is polluted by the dirtiness of the sow, which stirs up the mire
with her snout, so those women that are luxurious to excess in their ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

Commandments to Women.
... is a snare and net to the heart of men worse than death; her hands are fetters."
[2576] And in another passage: "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

Snout (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Snout (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring
in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. ...
/s/snout.htm - 7k

Root (54 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To turn up the earth with the snout, as swine. ... 3. (vt) To turn up
or to dig out with the snout; as, the swine roots the earth. ...
/r/root.htm - 28k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... 24. (vt) To fit with a ring or with rings, as the fingers, or a swine's snout. 25.
(vi) To rise in the air spirally. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RING. ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Nosejewels
... ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs 11: ...
/n/nosejewels.htm - 8k

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
... ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs 11: ...
/n/nose-jewels.htm - 9k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A projecting end or beak at the front of an object; a snout; a nozzle;
a spout; as, the nose of a bellows; the nose of a teakettle. ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... stamp. (Root in BBE). Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,
so is a fair woman which is without discretion. (KJV WBS). ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

Lacks (27 Occurrences)
... peace. (See NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout,
is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. (WEB NAS). ...
/l/lacks.htm - 13k

Groin (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The snout of a swine. 2. (vi) To grunt
to growl; to snarl; to murmur. 3. (n.) The line between ...
/g/groin.htm - 8k

Wrote (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) of Write. 2. (vi) To root with the snout. See
1st Root. 3. (v.) imp. & archaic pp of Write. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/wrote.htm - 30k

Snout: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus