Topical Bible: The Dog: Manner of, in Drinking Alluded To

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In the biblical context, dogs are often mentioned in various scenarios, reflecting their presence in ancient Near Eastern societies. One particular aspect of dogs that is alluded to in the Bible is their manner of drinking. This behavior is highlighted in the narrative of Gideon and his selection of soldiers in the Book of Judges.

In Judges 7:5-7 , the Lord instructs Gideon to take his men down to the water to observe how they drink. The passage states: "So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, 'Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.' Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest knelt to drink. Then the LORD said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the others go home.'"

This passage highlights the distinctive manner in which dogs drink water, using their tongues to lap it up. The comparison to dogs serves as a means of distinguishing between the men who were alert and those who were not. Those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths, similar to a dog's lapping, were chosen by God for their vigilance and readiness, as they remained aware of their surroundings even while drinking.

The reference to the dog's manner of drinking is not merely a casual observation but serves a deeper purpose in the narrative. It underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the service of God's purposes. The chosen men, like dogs, demonstrated an alertness that was crucial for the success of Gideon's mission against the Midianites.

In the broader biblical context, dogs are often seen as unclean animals, and their behavior is sometimes used metaphorically to convey negative traits. However, in this particular instance, the dog's manner of drinking is used positively to illustrate a desirable quality in Gideon's soldiers.

The allusion to the dog's drinking habits in this passage provides insight into the cultural perceptions of dogs in biblical times and serves as a reminder of the importance of readiness and attentiveness in fulfilling God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 7:5
So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to Gideon, Every one that laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him shall you set by himself; likewise every one that bows down on his knees to drink.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... Teraphim were made in the following manner: a first ... certain remedies are recommended
(such as drinking warm water ... or more persons being separated by a dog, a palm ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

2 Cor. Iii. 7, 8
... at all when compared with this.' How and in what manner? ... made captive, and followeth
like a raging dog, though it ... with a man in a fever, who drinking of cold ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vii 2 cor iii.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... of a favourite animal"a monkey, a dog of some ... incidents in his campaigns, in the
same manner as the ... workshops required a large quantity of drinking water for ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... A common custom, alluded to by White of Selborne, was to ... the profits of the herbage
in such manner as may ... grenadier Who kill'd himself by drinking poor small ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... The Pharaoh was fond of laughing and drinking; indeed, if ... quickly, now slowly, in
a rhythmical manner, and rendered ... masters in company with his pet dog, or a ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... supposed to be a shortened form of Kalbel, and "Dog of El ... as far as Ezion-geber,
in such a manner as to ... blow from a hammer while he was in the act of drinking.*. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... this world and in the next; it is necessary to feed the dog well, and ... Their tribes,
less devoted to the manner of living of the Assyrians and Chaldaeans, had ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Sargon had in like manner given one ... that the campaign in the desert and the death
of Abdimilkot took place in 676, and that we find them already alluded to in ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... I was the very ringleader of all the youth that kept me company, into ALL MANNER
of vice ... These reminiscences are alluded to in the prologue of the Holy War:". ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... the Delta, and Elephantine in the south.** Outside these military stations, where
the authority of the great king was exercised in a direct manner, the ancient ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm