In the context of the Bible, the term "lick" is used both literally and metaphorically, often conveying actions of animals or expressions of human humility and submission. The act of licking is generally associated with animals, particularly dogs, and is used to illustrate various spiritual and moral lessons.

Biblical References:

1. Dogs Licking Wounds:
One of the most vivid images involving licking in the Bible is found in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In Luke 16:21 , it is described how Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table, and "even the dogs came and licked his sores." This imagery highlights the extreme poverty and suffering of Lazarus, contrasting it with the indifference of the rich man. The act of dogs licking his sores can be seen as a form of compassion from animals when human compassion was absent.

2. Licking Dust:
The act of licking dust is used metaphorically in the Bible to describe subjugation and humiliation. In Psalm 72:9 , it is prophesied that "May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust." This expression signifies total defeat and submission to a ruler, in this case, a messianic king, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of righteousness and divine justice.

3. Licking as a Sign of Submission:
In Isaiah 49:23 , the imagery of licking is used to describe the submission of kings and queens to the people of Israel: "They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet." This passage emphasizes the reversal of fortunes and the exaltation of God's people, illustrating the fulfillment of God's promises and the acknowledgment of His sovereignty by the nations.

Theological Implications:

The use of "lick" in the Bible often serves to illustrate themes of humility, submission, and the reversal of social orders. It underscores the idea that God's justice will prevail, and those who are humble and oppressed will be exalted. The imagery of licking, particularly in the context of animals, also serves to highlight the natural order and the instinctual behaviors that can sometimes reflect deeper spiritual truths.

In a broader theological context, these references remind believers of the importance of humility and the assurance of divine justice. The act of licking, whether by animals or metaphorically by humans, points to a recognition of authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation.1. (v. t.) To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand.

2. (v. t.) To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk.

3. (n.) A stroke of the tongue in licking.

4. (n.) A quick and careless application of anything, as if by a stroke of the tongue, or of something which acts like a tongue; as, to put on colors with a lick of the brush. Also, a small quantity of any substance so applied.

5. (n.) A place where salt is found on the surface of the earth, to which wild animals resort to lick it up; -- often, but not always, near salt springs.

6. (v. t.) To strike with repeated blows for punishment; to flog; to whip or conquer, as in a pugilistic encounter.

7. (n.) A slap; a quick stroke.

621. apoleicho -- lick.
... 620, 621. apoleicho. 622 . lick. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
apoleicho Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-i'-kho) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/621.htm - 6k

1952b. epileicho -- to lick over
... 1952a, 1952b. epileicho. 1953 . to lick over. Transliteration: epileicho
Short Definition: licking. Word Origin from epi and leicho ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1952b.htm - 5k

3897. lachak -- to lick
... to lick. Transliteration: lachak Phonetic Spelling: (law-khak') Short Definition:
lick. ... root Definition to lick NASB Word Usage lick (4), licked (1), licks (1). ...
/hebrew/3897.htm - 5k

3952. laqaq -- to lap, lick
... 3951, 3952. laqaq. 3953 . to lap, lick. Transliteration: laqaq Phonetic Spelling:
(law-kak') Short Definition: lapped. Word Origin a prim. ... lap, lick. ...
/hebrew/3952.htm - 5k

3857. lahat -- to blaze up, flame
... burn up, set on fire, flaming, kindle. A primitive root; properly, to lick, ie
(by implication) to blaze -- burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle. ...
/hebrew/3857.htm - 6k

3960. lashan -- to use the tongue, slander
... accuse, slander. A primitive root; properly, to lick; but used only as a denominative
from lashown; to wag the tongue, ie To calumniate -- accuse, slander. ...
/hebrew/3960.htm - 6k

3218. yeleq -- (a kind of) locust
... cankerworm, caterpillar. From an unused root meaning to lick up; a devourer;
specifically, the young locust -- cankerworm, caterpillar. 3217, 3218. ...
/hebrew/3218.htm - 6k

Of the End of this Age.
... But the fire shall not touch the just, but shall by all means lick them up. ... The meaning
is: lick up them (the wicked) who have persecuted them. Daniel 3:22.]. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/xliii of the end of this.htm

Nor Does Ps. Lxxii. Apply to Solomon, Whose Faults Christians ...
... unto the ends of the earth. Ethiopians shall fall down before Him, and
His enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and ...
/.../chapter xxxiv nor does ps lxxii.htm

That the Foundation and Strength of Hope and Faith is Fear.
... Their ears shall be deafened, and they shall lick the dust as do serpents.
Dragging the earth, they shall be disturbed, and they ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/20 that the foundation and.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... They who love God cannot be contented with having ordinances, unless they may enjoy
God in them; that were to lick the glass, and not the honey. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... In the place where dogs had licked up the blood of Naboth, thine also shall they
lick up,""he "abandoned himself, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

The Demons Allure Men to the Worship of Images.
... They who draw men to idols, then, are the aforesaid demons, who are eager for the
blood of the sacrifices, and lick them; but the gods that please the multitude ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxvi the demons allure men.htm

The Charge of Infanticide Retorted on the Heathen.
... men alive? Is it, forsooth, only a trifle to lick up human blood, when you
draw out [696] the blood which was destined to live? Is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xv name charge of.htm

Elijah
... and thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs
licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xix elijah.htm

Argument: the Religion of the Christians is Foolish, Inasmuch as ...
... with dark and secret wounds. Thirstily"O horror!"they lick up its blood;
eagerly they divide its limbs. By this victim they ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter ix argument the religion of.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this multitude lick up all that
is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Lick (8 Occurrences)
... quick and careless application of anything, as if by a stroke of the tongue, or
of something which acts like a tongue; as, to put on colors with a lick of the ...
/l/lick.htm - 10k

Licked (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Lick. Multi-Version Concordance
Licked (4 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 and desiring to be fed ...
/l/licked.htm - 7k

Dust (182 Occurrences)
... To "lick the dust" is a sign of abject submission (Psalm 72:9); and to throw dust
at one is a sign of abhorrence (2 Samuel 16:13; Comp. Acts 22:23). ...
/d/dust.htm - 43k

Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)

/l/licentiousness.htm - 9k

Queens (4 Occurrences)
... 49:23 Kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers:
they shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust ...
/q/queens.htm - 7k

Zippor (7 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this multitude will lick up
all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." Balak the ...
/z/zippor.htm - 9k

Naboth's (5 Occurrences)
... and thou shalt speak unto him, saying: Thus saith the LORD: In the place where dogs
licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.' (See NIV ...
/n/naboth's.htm - 7k

Nomads (3 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 72:9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before
him. His enemies shall lick the dust. (See NAS). Jeremiah ...
/n/nomads.htm - 7k

Nurses (2 Occurrences)
... 49:23 And kings shall be thy foster-fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers;
they shall bow down to thee with their face to the earth, and lick the dust ...
/n/nurses.htm - 7k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and
lick his sores. (WEY). Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

Who was King Ahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Naboth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.org

Lick: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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