Lexical Summary kunarion: Little dog, puppy Original Word: κυνάριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dog, puppyNeuter of a presumed derivative of kuon; a puppy -- dog. see GREEK kuon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2952 kynárion – properly, puppy, a diminutive of 2965 /kýōn ("dog"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindim. of kuón Definition a little dog NASB Translation dogs (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2952: κυνάριονκυνάριον, κυναριου, τό (diminutive of κύων, equivalent to κυνίδιον, which Phryn. prefers; see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 180; cf. γυναικάριον),a little dog: Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27f (Xenophon, Plato, Theophrastus, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Textual Occurrences• Matthew 15:26; Matthew 15:27 In all four instances the diminutive form appears within a single narrative—Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite (Syrophoenician) woman. No other New Testament book employs this particular term. Cultural Background In first–century Judaism wild dogs roamed streets as scavengers, rendering the animal an emblem of uncleanness (Exodus 22:31; 1 Kings 14:11). The diminutive indicates household puppies rather than feral animals, pointing to a different setting: a family table where small dogs wait for scraps. This contrast softens, yet does not erase, the conventional Jewish view that placed Gentiles outside covenant purity. Narrative Context Matthew 15 and Mark 7 record Jesus’ withdrawal into Gentile territory (Tyre and Sidon). A mother pleads for her demon-tormented daughter. Jesus’ initial refusal—“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26)—states the divine order: covenant blessings flow “first for the Jew” (Romans 1:16). The woman’s reply, accepting the lowly designation while appealing for crumbs, becomes a striking confession of faith. Jesus grants her request, publicly affirming that gentile faith gains immediate access to messianic grace. Theological Significance 1. Progressive Revelation The episode anticipates the post-resurrection mandate to disciple “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The effective healing of a Gentile shows that God’s saving purpose for Israel always included the nations (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6). 2. Faith’s Humility The woman does not contest Jesus’ priority for Israel. Instead she assumes a servant posture and yet persists, illustrating Hebrews 11:6—faith both believes God exists and “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” 3. Bread Imagery “Bread” symbolizes covenant provision. Even “crumbs” of Christ’s power are sufficient to overthrow demonic oppression, foreshadowing the abundance poured out at Pentecost. Christological Perspective The incident exposes the Servant-King’s heart. His test of silence and apparent refusal surfaces a faith He intends to commend. By healing at a distance He demonstrates sovereign authority unconfined by geography or ethnicity, validating His identity as “Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Practical Ministry Lessons • Prioritization without partiality: Believers may address specific callings (Galatians 2:8), yet must remain open to every seeker God sends. Missional Implications Early church expansion mirrors the movement in the story—from Jewish soil to Gentile homes. Peter’s vision in Acts 10 recapitulates the clean/unclean tension resolved by divine initiative. Paul’s designation of enemies of the cross as “dogs” (Philippians 3:2) intentionally uses the harsher noun, underscoring the transformed status of believing Gentiles who are no longer outsiders but “fellow citizens with the saints” (Ephesians 2:19). Relation to Old Testament Imagery Dogs consuming Jezebel’s carcass (2 Kings 9:36) represented judgment. The shift to “little dogs” under the master’s table pictures mercy overflowing even to those once considered unclean, aligning with prophetic visions of Gentiles streaming to Zion (Micah 4:2). Summary Strong’s Greek 2952 appears only in Jesus’ dialogue with a Gentile mother, offering a miniature theology of inclusion. The term’s domestic nuance frames a salvific meal where Israel retains firstborn privilege, yet grace extends to all who, in humble faith, seek even a crumb from the Master’s table. Forms and Transliterations κυναρια κυνάρια κυναριοις κυναρίοις κυνηγείν κυνηγός κυνικός κυνόμυια κυνόμυιαν κυνομυίας κυνομύιας κυοφορούσης κυπαρίσσινα κυπαρισσίνων κυπάρισσοι κυπάρισσον κυπάρισσος κυπαρίσσου κυπαρίσσω κυπαρίσσων κυπρίζουσιν kunaria kunariois kynaria kynária kynariois kynaríoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 15:26 N-DNPGRK: βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις NAS: bread and throw it to the dogs. KJV: and to cast [it] to dogs. INT: to cast [it] to the dogs Matthew 15:27 N-NNP Mark 7:27 N-DNP Mark 7:28 N-NNP Strong's Greek 2952 |
    |