In the Bible, sows, or female pigs, are mentioned in a few contexts, primarily symbolizing uncleanness and folly. The pig, in general, is considered an unclean animal according to the dietary laws given to the Israelites. This is rooted in the Mosaic Law, where pigs are listed among the animals that are not to be eaten or touched.

Unclean Animal:

The pig is explicitly mentioned in Leviticus 11:7-8 : "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." This prohibition is reiterated in Deuteronomy 14:8, emphasizing the pig's status as an unclean animal. The sow, as a female pig, falls under this category, reinforcing the broader symbolism of impurity associated with pigs in the biblical context.

Symbol of Folly:

In the New Testament, the sow is used metaphorically to illustrate the concept of returning to one's sinful ways after having been cleansed. 2 Peter 2:22 states, "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.'" This verse highlights the futility and foolishness of returning to sinful behavior after experiencing redemption and cleansing. The imagery of a sow returning to the mud after being washed serves as a powerful illustration of the human tendency to revert to old, sinful habits despite having been given a new start.

Cultural and Religious Context:

In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, the pig was not only considered unclean but also associated with Gentile practices and idolatry. The presence of pigs in certain regions or among certain peoples often symbolized a departure from the covenantal laws given to the Israelites. This cultural backdrop further underscores the negative connotations associated with sows and pigs in the biblical narrative.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature:

While sows are not directly mentioned in the wisdom literature of the Bible, the themes of folly and uncleanness associated with them resonate with the broader teachings found in books like Proverbs. The emphasis on wisdom, purity, and adherence to God's laws contrasts sharply with the imagery of the sow, reinforcing the call to live a life set apart from impurity and foolishness.

In summary, sows in the Bible are emblematic of uncleanness and the folly of returning to sin. They serve as a vivid reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and the dangers of reverting to a life contrary to God's commandments.4687. speiro -- to sow (seed)
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to sow (seed) NASB Word Usage sow (13), sowed
(6), sower (5), sower sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17), sows (8). sow, scatter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4687.htm - 8k3157. Yizreel -- "God sows," two Israelites, also two cities in ...
... 3156, 3157. Yizreel. 3158 . "God sows," two Israelites, also two cities
in Isr., also a valley in Northern Israel. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/3157.htm - 6k

2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed
... conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated (1), plant seed (1), scatter (1), set
(1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2), sowing (2), sown (10), sows (2), unsown ...
/hebrew/2232.htm - 6k

4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... 1), go (1), led (1), long blast (2), make a long blast (1), march (1), prolong
(1), prolonged (1), pulled (3), sounds a long blast (1), sows (1), stimulate (1 ...
/hebrew/4900.htm - 6k

When a Man Sows, He Expects to Reap.
... CHAPTER III. When a Man Sows, He Expects to Reap. WHEN A MAN SOWS, HE EXPECTS
TO REAP. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iii when a man.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... CHAPTER IV. A MAN EXPECTS TO REAP THE SAME KIND AS HE SOWS. "Herb yielding ...
13. A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows. If ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

A Man Reaps More than He Sows.
... CHAPTER V. A Man Reaps More Than He Sows. A MAN REAPS MORE THAN HE SOWS.
"But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter v a man reaps.htm

Fragments.
... pronounces all sexual connection impure, who was also the very violent heresiarch
of the Encratites, employs an argument of this sort: "If any one sows to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tatian/tatians address to the greeks/fragments.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... A king on the throne, like David, or a priest behind the altar, like Eli; priest
and prophet, preacher and hearer, every man must reap what he sows. ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

The Promises of the Christian Home.
... offspring. What the parent sows, the child will reap. ... corruption. Thus, whatsoever
the parent sows in the child he shall reap from the child. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxv the promises of.htm

Christian Graces.
... There is a man sows his field with wheat, but as he sows, some is covered with great
clods: now, that grows as well as the rest, though it runs not upright as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... Or, take two farmsteads; one farmer sows tares in his field, and in due time his
barns are filled therewith; another sows wheat, and his garners are stored ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

To the End the Soul May Attain to the Supreme Internal Peace, it ...
... 45. The husbandman sets a greater esteem upon the plants which he sows in the ground,
than those that spring up of themselves, because these never come to ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap vii to the end.htm

The Evil one Perceived his Great Humiliation, and Boasted Himself ...
... Good seed he sows in his ground; in his heart he sows tares. His understanding is
thrown open and cast down; but at the fences of his vineyard he labours. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xl the evil one.htm

Sows (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sows (18 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/s/sows.htm - 11k

Reaps (6 Occurrences)
... Reaps (6 Occurrences). John 4:36 He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit
to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. ...
/r/reaps.htm - 7k

Reap (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.
He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ...
/r/reap.htm - 18k

Way-side (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Way-side (10 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some
of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/w/way-side.htm - 9k

Falls (79 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of the seed falls
by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/f/falls.htm - 28k

Peck (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peck (3 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he sows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY). ...
/p/peck.htm - 8k

stingy (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he who sows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap ...
/n/stingy.htm - 6k

Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Galatians 6:8 He who sows in the field of his lower nature, will from that nature
reap destruction; but he who sows to serve the Spirit will from the Spirit ...
/l/lower.htm - 30k

Generously (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.
He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (See NIV). ...
/g/generously.htm - 9k

Forget (77 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he who sows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap ...
/f/forget.htm - 31k

What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that everything happens for a reason? | GotQuestions.org

Is “you reap what you sow” biblical? | GotQuestions.org

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