Topical Bible: The Dog: Price of, not to be Consecrated

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In the biblical context, dogs are often mentioned with a negative connotation, symbolizing impurity and uncleanliness. This perception is rooted in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel, where dogs were generally not domesticated as pets but were instead seen as scavengers. The Bible provides specific instructions regarding the offerings and sacrifices that are acceptable to God, and the price of a dog is explicitly mentioned as unacceptable for consecration.

Biblical Reference:

The primary scriptural reference concerning the price of a dog is found in the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 23:18 states: "You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the earnings of a dog into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God." This verse categorically prohibits the use of money earned from certain sources, including the price of a dog, for offerings or vows in the temple.

Cultural and Religious Context:

In ancient Israel, the term "dog" was often used metaphorically to describe individuals or practices considered unclean or morally corrupt. The association of dogs with impurity is evident in various biblical passages, where they are depicted as creatures that roam the streets, feed on carrion, and are generally regarded with disdain (e.g., 1 Kings 14:11, Psalm 59:6).

The prohibition against using the price of a dog for consecration is linked to the broader biblical theme of maintaining purity in worship and offerings. The Israelites were commanded to present offerings that were pure and unblemished, reflecting the holiness of God. The inclusion of the price of a dog alongside the wages of a prostitute underscores the importance of moral and ritual purity in the worship practices of Israel.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the prohibition serves as a reminder of the need for integrity and holiness in one's relationship with God. It emphasizes that the means by which offerings are obtained are as important as the offerings themselves. The rejection of the price of a dog as a valid offering underscores the biblical principle that God desires worship that is sincere and untainted by associations with impurity or immorality.

Symbolic Interpretation:

The symbolic use of the term "dog" in the Bible extends beyond its literal meaning to represent those who are outside the covenant community or who engage in practices contrary to God's commandments. In Philippians 3:2 , the Apostle Paul warns believers to "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh," using the term to describe false teachers who threaten the purity of the Christian faith.

In summary, the biblical injunction against using the price of a dog for consecration reflects the broader biblical themes of purity, holiness, and the rejection of anything associated with moral or ritual impurity in the worship of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 23:18
You shall not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD your God for any vow: for even both these are abomination to the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Bought with a Price"
... and so you have been a famous sheep-dog for me ... He says he is "bought with a price,"
he says he ... the thick of the fight; surely these are not Cromwell's Ironsides ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/bought with a price.htm

Letter cl. To Amphilochius in the Name of Heraclidas.
... the merchant, who had found the pearl of great price, went away ... who gives to every
vagabond casts to a dog, a nuisance ... [2491] Amphilochius, not yet consecrated ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cl to amphilochius in.htm

The Gains of the Faithful Steward
... 'The price of a dog shall not come into the sanctuary of the Lord.' Do not think
that money doubtfully won is consecrated by being piously spent. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the gains of the faithful.htm

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
... stand to the bargain, but break and return with the dog to the ... to take him freely,
"without money and without price," Isaiah 55:1, for he will not be bought ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iv how christ is.htm

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... "The hire of an harlot shall not come into the sanctuary," it is said: accordingly
it was forbidden to bring to the altar the price of a dog. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... The fearful hen will fly upon a dog or serpent to ... when you prefer the world before
the Pearl of price; and are ... We do not only keep a sabbath, but love a sabbath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Description of the Perfect Man, or Gnostic.
... that is, the salvation of men without price, that we ... But he has heard that "meat
will not commend us," [2898 ... For the dog, which is an irrational animal, may be ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi description of the perfect.htm

Appendix.
... the same mind with Solomon, who said that 'a living dog is better ... Is not, then, the
unity of the whole Church through the States a price sufficient to ...
/.../various/the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/appendix.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... prettily represented in the fable where a dog, running along ... as they call it, to
take care not to do ... What you give, give freely and without price, that others ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... prettily represented in the fable, where a dog, running along ... as they call it, to
take care not to do ... What you give, give freely and without price, that others ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm