Dog

A small animal, often domesticated, that eats almost anything and was considered ceremonially unclean to eat.

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Dog

About Dog

Dogs were one of the first animals that humans kept as pets. Scientists believe modern dogs (Canis familiaris) came from the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). Dogs in biblical times probably looked similar to today's German shepherd dogs. They had pointed ears, a pointed nose, and a long tail.

In biblical times, people did not like dogs (Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2:22). While many people today consider dogs to be close friends, the writers of the Bible saw them differently. Dogs would search for food in the streets and among garbage (Exodus 22:31; 1 Kings 22:38; Matthew 15:26; Luke 16:21). They would even eat dead human bodies (2 Kings 9:35–36). In general, dogs served the same function as vultures and other birds of prey. The Bible mentions dogs 41 times, and most of these mentions are negative. People thought dogs were dirty animals that acted with fear.

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Habits, distribution, and how translators render the term across languages.

Key References

Judges 7:5

So Gideon brought the men down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.”

Matthew 15:26

But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Luke 16:21

and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

All Scripture References (38)

Exodus (2)
Exodus 11:7

But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

Exodus 22:30

You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

Judges (1)
Judges 7:5

So Gideon brought the men down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.”

1 Samuel (2)
1 Samuel 17:43

“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 24:15

May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”

2 Samuel (3)
2 Samuel 3:8

Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

2 Samuel 9:8

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

2 Samuel 16:9

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

1 Kings (6)
1 Kings 14:11

Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken.

1 Kings 16:4

Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.”

1 Kings 21:19

Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

1 Kings 21:23

And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’

1 Kings 21:24

Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.”

1 Kings 22:38

And the chariot was washed at the pool of Samaria where the prostitutes bathed, and the dogs licked up Ahab’s blood, according to the word that the LORD had spoken.

2 Kings (3)
2 Kings 8:13

“But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”

2 Kings 9:10

And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.

2 Kings 9:36

So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel.

Job (1)
Job 30:1

“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.

Psalms (5)
Psalm 22:17

I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.

Psalm 22:21

Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!

Psalm 59:7

See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

Psalm 59:15

They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied.

Psalm 68:24

They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary.

Proverbs (2)
Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:17

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Ecclesiastes (1)
Ecclesiastes 9:4

There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.

Isaiah (3)
Isaiah 56:10

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Isaiah 56:11

Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

Isaiah 66:3

Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.

Jeremiah (1)
Jeremiah 15:3

I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Matthew (3)
Matthew 7:6

Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 15:26

But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Matthew 15:27

“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Mark (3)
Mark 7:27

“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Mark 7:28

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Mark 16:18

they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

Luke (1)
Luke 16:21

and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

2 Peter (1)
2 Peter 2:22

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”