Dog

Although used by shepherds and occasionally kept as pets, in Bible times most dogs were semi-wild scavengers.

The animal

Exodus 11:7; Judges 7:5; Job 30:1

Dogs as scavengers

Exodus 22:31; 1 Kings 14:11, 1 Kings 16:4, 1 Kings 21:19, 1 Kings 21:23, 1 Kings 22:38; 2 Kings 9:10, 2 Kings 9:36; Psalm 59:6, Psalm 59:14, Psalm 68:23

Dogs as dangerous and bloodthirsty

Jeremiah 15:3; Psalm 22:16, Psalm 22:20; 2 Peter 2:22

Dogs in the teaching of Jesus Christ

Matthew 7:6, Matthew 15:26–27 parallel Mark 7:27–28 See also Luke 16:21

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.

But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Dogs in proverbs

Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 26:17; Ecclesiastes 9:4

Dogs used as a term of abuse or low esteem

1 Samuel 17:43, 1 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 9:8, 2 Samuel 16:9; 2 Kings 8:13; Isaiah 56:10–11; Philippians 3:2; Revelation 22:15