Topical Bible: Swine: Fed Upon Husks

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, swine, or pigs, are often associated with uncleanness and are mentioned in various passages to illustrate spiritual and moral lessons. One of the most notable references to swine being fed upon husks is found in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke.

Biblical Reference:

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke 15:11-32. In this parable, Jesus tells the account of a younger son who demands his share of the inheritance from his father and subsequently squanders it in a distant country. After spending all he had, a severe famine strikes, and the young man finds himself in dire need. In Luke 15:15-16 , it is written:

"So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing."

Cultural and Religious Context:

In Jewish culture, swine were considered unclean animals according to the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 11:7-8 states, "And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, 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 highlights the significance of the prodigal son's plight, as he is reduced to tending and desiring the food of animals deemed unclean and detestable.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The image of the prodigal son feeding swine and desiring their husks serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual destitution and moral degradation. The husks, or pods, likely refer to the carob pods, which were considered lowly food, often used as animal fodder. The son's longing for such sustenance underscores his fall from grace and the emptiness of a life lived apart from the father's provision and love.

From a theological perspective, the parable illustrates the consequences of sin and the emptiness of a life pursued outside of God's will. The prodigal son's experience with the swine and husks is a vivid depiction of the spiritual hunger and degradation that result from turning away from God. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the hope of restoration through the Father's mercy.

Application:

The narrative of the prodigal son and the swine he tended is a call to self-examination and repentance. It challenges believers to recognize the futility of seeking fulfillment in worldly pursuits and to return to the Father, who offers true nourishment and restoration. The parable reassures that no matter how far one has strayed, God's grace is sufficient to restore and redeem those who humbly return to Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 15:16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Deceived by his Own Fault, He Falls into the Errors of the ...
... Thee, being even shut out from the very husks of the swine, whom with husks I fed. ...
I came upon that bold woman, who "is simple, and knoweth nothing," [239 ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi deceived by his own.htm

Therefore I Fell among Men Proudly Doting, Exceeding Carnal and ...
... from Thee, barred from the very husks of the swine, whom with husks I fed. ... I lighted
upon that bold woman, simple and knoweth nothing, shadowed out in ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi therefore i fell.htm

Hidden Manna
... juice of the sacred clusters, and left the husks to the swine. I was greedy for
the truth. My soul hungered even to ravenousness to be fed upon the bread of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... who devoured his father's substance and fed upon husks, and should ... ourselves, beseeching
God to have mercy upon us, whilst we ... But as a swine in mud, so also do ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers.
... And Zacch??us, whom the Lord received upon his repentance and ... his father's substance
with harlots, who fed swine, and desired to be fed with husks, and ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v on accusations and the.htm

Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ...
... away from thee, being barred even from the husks of those swine whom I fed with
husks ... I came upon that brazen woman, devoid of prudence, who, in Solomon's ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book three the story of.htm

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
... to the Lord's commandment, brought the fire of God's curse upon all the ... that can
cure him?"or for a prodigal child that fed on the husks of swine to be ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the true manner of keeping.htm

A Paradox
... the glory of our oratory turned out to be mere husks for swine; while that ... nothing
but the substance, then art thou a strong man, fed upon substantial meat ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a paradox.htm

The Turning Point
... of him that believeth, he has mercy upon the vilest ... grown none the sweeter by having
fed swine, nor do ... very sumptuously embroidered by gathering husks for then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the turning point.htm

'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces'
... absorbing and your present need, the gift bestowed upon you ... who having come to Christ
hungry and been fed by Him ... gross appetite to the husks in the swine's trough ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/fragments or broken pieces.htm