Dogs

In biblical times, dogs were generally viewed with disdain and were not typically kept as pets as they are in many cultures today. They were often seen as scavengers, roaming the streets and countryside, feeding on refuse and carrion. This perception is reflected in various scriptural references where dogs are used metaphorically to represent uncleanliness, impurity, or contempt.

In the Old Testament, dogs are mentioned in contexts that highlight their lowly status. For instance, in 1 Kings 14:11 and 1 Kings 16:4, dogs are depicted as consuming the bodies of those who die in disgrace. Similarly, in 1 Kings 21:23-24, the prophet Elijah foretells that dogs will lick up the blood of Ahab and devour Jezebel, emphasizing the ignominy of their deaths.

The New Testament also uses the imagery of dogs to convey spiritual truths. In Matthew 7:6, Jesus warns, "Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces." Here, dogs symbolize those who are hostile to the gospel, unappreciative of its value, and likely to respond with aggression.

Philippians 3:2 further illustrates this metaphorical use: "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" In this passage, the Apostle Paul cautions believers against false teachers who distort the message of Christ, likening them to dogs to underscore their dangerous and corrupting influence.

Pigs

Pigs, like dogs, are often associated with uncleanness in the Bible. Under the Mosaic Law, pigs were considered unclean animals, and the Israelites were forbidden to eat their flesh or even touch their carcasses (Leviticus 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 14:8). This prohibition was part of the broader dietary laws that set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations and symbolized their call to holiness.

The negative connotations of pigs are evident in several New Testament passages. In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the wayward son finds himself in dire straits, feeding pigs and longing to eat their food. This detail underscores his degradation and the depth of his fall from grace, as tending pigs would have been abhorrent to a Jewish audience.

In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes. When He casts the demons out, they enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown. This dramatic event not only demonstrates Jesus' authority over evil spirits but also reinforces the perception of pigs as unclean and associated with chaos and destruction.

The metaphorical use of pigs in Matthew 7:6, alongside dogs, further illustrates their symbolic role in biblical teaching. The admonition not to "throw your pearls before pigs" serves as a caution against offering the precious truths of the gospel to those who are likely to reject and desecrate them.

In summary, both dogs and pigs in the Bible are emblematic of impurity and spiritual danger. They serve as powerful symbols in biblical narratives and teachings, illustrating the need for discernment, holiness, and the rejection of that which is unclean or opposed to God's purposes.