Bible Dictionaries
Dog

Holman Bible Dictionary

See Isaiah 56:10; Job 30:1 ) and for the dwelling (Exodus 11:7 ). Some were trained for hunting (Psalm 22:17 , Psalm 22:21 ), but some ran stray in the streets (Exodus 22:30; 1 Kings 14:11 ). Metaphorically, “dog” was a term of contempt (1 Samuel 17:43 ) and self-abasement (1 Samuel 24:15 ). “Dog” may refer to a male cult prostitute (Deuteronomy 23:19 ), though the exact meaning of “dog's wages” is disputed. The prophet insulted the priests by saying their sacrifices were no better than breaking a dog's neck and sacrificing the dog (Isaiah 66:3 ). This means sacrifices is not needed in the new age and that the priests had neglected their first task, that of determining God's will.

Jesus used dogs to teach people to be discriminating in whom they chose to teach (Matthew 7:6 ). Paul insulted his Judaizing opponents, calling them dogs (Philippians 3:2; compare 2 Peter 2:22; Revelation 22:15 ).