Dog: Frequently mentioned both in the Old and New Testaments. Dogs were
used by the Hebrews 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-wild dogs that wandered about devouring dead bodies and the
offal of the streets
(1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; 21:19,23; 22:38; Psalms 59:6,14) As the
dog was an unclean animal, the terms "dog," "dog's head," "dead dog,"
were used as terms of reproach or of humiliation
(1 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 3:8)
(2 Samuel 9:8; 16:9) Paul calls false apostles "dogs"
(Philippians 3:2) Those who
are shut out of the kingdom of heaven are also so designated
(Revelation 22:15)
Persecutors are called "dogs"
(Psalms 22:16). Hazael's words, "Thy servant
which is but a dog"
(2 Kings 8:13) are spoken in mock humility=impossible
that one so contemptible as he should attain to such power.
