Biblical References and Terminology:

In the Bible, wild dogs are often referred to simply as "dogs," and they are typically depicted in a negative light. The Hebrew word "keleb" is commonly used in the Old Testament to denote dogs, which in ancient times were not the domesticated pets we know today but rather scavengers that roamed in packs. These animals were often associated with uncleanness and were considered a symbol of contempt and lowliness.

Old Testament Context:

Wild dogs are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, often in metaphorical or illustrative contexts. In 1 Kings 14:11 , it is stated, "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and anyone who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat, for the LORD has spoken." This passage highlights the ignoble fate awaiting those who are judged by God, using dogs as a symbol of disgrace and desecration.

Similarly, in 1 Kings 21:23-24 , the prophet Elijah delivers a message from the LORD concerning the fate of Ahab's household: "And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and anyone who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat." Here, dogs are again depicted as agents of divine judgment, consuming the remains of the wicked.

New Testament Context:

In the New Testament, dogs continue to carry a negative connotation. In Philippians 3:2 , the Apostle Paul warns the believers, "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!" Paul uses the term "dogs" metaphorically to describe false teachers and those who would lead the faithful astray, emphasizing their impurity and danger.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In biblical times, dogs were not the beloved companions they are today. Instead, they were often seen as unclean animals, scavengers that roamed the streets and countryside. This perception is reflected in the biblical narrative, where dogs are frequently associated with death, destruction, and divine retribution.

The cultural view of dogs as unclean is further illustrated in the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:21 , where it is noted that Lazarus, a poor man covered in sores, "longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores." Here, the presence of dogs underscores Lazarus's destitution and the neglect he suffered.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the depiction of wild dogs in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of judgment and impurity. They are often used to illustrate the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The imagery of dogs consuming the remains of the wicked serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate fate of those who oppose God's will.

In summary, wild dogs in the Bible are emblematic of uncleanness, judgment, and the lowly state of those who are estranged from God. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the themes of divine justice and the consequences of sin.

On the Incarnation and Redemption
... They must have suffered also from fear because the country was infested with wolves
and wild dogs, so fierce that they sometimes came into the towns and ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 7 on the incarnation.htm

Wild-dogs (2 Occurrences)
Wild-dogs. Wild-cats, Wild-dogs. Wilder . Multi-Version Concordance
Wild-dogs (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 13:22 And wolves ...
/w/wild-dogs.htm - 6k

Dogs (30 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Isaiah 13:22 And jackals shall cry to one another in their palaces,
and wilddogs in the pleasant castles. And her time ...
/d/dogs.htm - 15k

Wild-cats (2 Occurrences)
Wild-cats. Wild-ass, Wild-cats. Wild-dogs . Multi-Version Concordance
Wild-cats (2 Occurrences). ... (See JPS). Wild-ass, Wild-cats. Wild-dogs . Reference
/w/wild-cats.htm - 7k

Wilder (1 Occurrence)

/w/wilder.htm - 6k

Dog (19 Occurrences)
... as a watch for their houses (Isaiah 56:10), and for guarding their flocks (Job
30:1). There were also then as now troops of semi-wilddogs that wandered about ...
/d/dog.htm - 20k

Mirage (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 35:7 And the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of
water: in the habitation of wilddogs, where they lay down, shall be grass with ...
/m/mirage.htm - 8k

Strongholds (44 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 34:13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and thistles in the
fortresses thereof; and it shall be a habitation of wild-dogs, an enclosure ...
/s/strongholds.htm - 19k

Dwelling-place (38 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 34:13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in her
fortresses; and it shall be a dwelling-place of wilddogs, a court for ...
/d/dwelling-place.htm - 17k

Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... there. Bears, panthers, wild boars, wolves, wild cats, foxes, jackals, and
several species of wilddogs, however, still exist. Numbers ...
/e/elamites.htm - 39k

Elam (24 Occurrences)
... there. Bears, panthers, wild boars, wolves, wild cats, foxes, jackals, and
several species of wilddogs, however, still exist. Numbers ...
/e/elam.htm - 48k

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