### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κύων (kýōn), Strong's `{{G2965}}`, fundamentally denotes a "dog." In the ancient Near Eastern context, dogs were generally not domesticated pets as understood in many modern cultures, but rather scavengers, wild creatures, or guard animals. Consequently, the term often carried negative connotations of impurity, aggression, and contempt. Its semantic range in the New Testament is almost exclusively figurative, representing individuals or groups characterized by spiritual impurity, opposition to God's truth, or exclusion from the covenant community. While the literal meaning is "dog," its metaphorical application is paramount, often aligning with the Hebrew כֶּלֶב (kelev) `{{H3611}}` which likewise frequently symbolized something unclean or despicable.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of κύων in the New Testament consistently employ its figurative sense, often to delineate spiritual boundaries or condemn certain behaviors:
* In [[Matthew 7:6]], Jesus warns, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Here, "dogs" represent those who are spiritually insensitive, profane, or hostile to sacred truth, incapable of appreciating or respecting divine revelation. They are contrasted with "swine" (χοῖρος, `{{G5573}}`), emphasizing a double warning against those who would defile or destroy what is holy.
* [[Philippians 3:2]] presents a stark and polemical use: "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!" Paul uses "dogs" as a derogatory term for the Judaizers, those who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Law for salvation. This strong language underscores their spiritual impurity and aggressive opposition to the gospel of grace. The term here signifies those who are outside the true covenant, despite their outward religious claims, acting as spiritual scavengers preying on the church.
* [[2 Peter 2:22]] employs a proverbial saying: "But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'" This vivid imagery illustrates the apostasy of false teachers who, despite having seemingly escaped the pollutions of the world, revert to their former sinful ways, demonstrating their true corrupt nature. The "dog" here symbolizes a fundamental lack of transformation and an inherent inclination toward defilement.
* [[Revelation 22:15]] lists those excluded from the New Jerusalem: "But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." In this eschatological context, "dogs" represent the unrighteous, those who are fundamentally impure and hostile to God's holiness, thereby excluded from the eternal city. This usage aligns with the Old Testament concept of ceremonial uncleanness and exclusion from the sacred assembly.
* A unique and nuanced instance occurs in the account of the Syrophoenician woman in [[Mark 7:27-28]] and [[Matthew 15:26-27]]. Jesus initially states, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs (κυνάρια, `{{G2952}}`)." While the diminutive κυνάριον is used (implying "house dogs" or "puppies" rather than wild scavengers), the underlying cultural context still implies a distinction between Jews ("children") and Gentiles ("dogs"). The woman's faith, however, transcends this initial categorization, acknowledging the truth of the statement while appealing to the crumbs that fall to even these "little dogs." This passage, while not using κύων directly, is crucial for understanding the broader cultural perception of dogs and how Jesus's ministry both acknowledged and ultimately transcended such categories through faith.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word κύων is deeply intertwined with concepts of impurity, exclusion, and spiritual opposition in the biblical worldview.
* **Impurity and Uncleanness:** It is often associated with terms denoting uncleanness, such as ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos, "unclean") `{{G169}}`, particularly in contexts like [[Matthew 7:6]] and [[Revelation 22:15]]. The imagery of dogs as scavengers aligns with their status as unclean animals in Jewish law, making them unsuitable for sacrifice or consumption.
* **False Teachers and Opponents:** In [[Philippians 3:2]], κύων is explicitly linked with κακοὺς ἐργάτας (kakous ergatas, "evil workers") and κατατομήν (katatomēn, "mutilation," a derogatory term for circumcision), highlighting its use as a polemical epithet for those who corrupt the gospel. This connects to the broader theme of discerning true from false teaching, often involving terms like ψευδοδιδάσκαλος (pseudodidaskalos, "false teacher") `{{G5572}}`.
* **Exclusion from the Covenant/Kingdom:** The depiction of "dogs" as "outside" in [[Revelation 22:15]] directly relates to the concept of those excluded from God's holy presence, mirroring Old Testament ideas of being "cut off" from the assembly of Israel. This contrasts with those who are "within" the covenant community.
* **Gentiles:** In the cultural context of the first century, "dogs" could sometimes be a derogatory term used by Jews for Gentiles, as subtly implied in the Syrophoenician woman's narrative. However, the New Testament's primary use of κύων is spiritual, not ethnic, designating those who are spiritually profane regardless of their background.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κύων lies in its consistent use as a powerful metaphor for spiritual degradation and exclusion. It serves several key purposes:
1. **Delineation of Sacred Space and Spiritual Purity:** The warning in [[Matthew 7:6]] establishes a clear boundary between the sacred and the profane. "Dogs" represent those who have no reverence for divine truth and would desecrate it. This underscores the preciousness of God's revelation and the need for discernment in its distribution.
2. **Condemnation of False Teaching and Apostasy:** In [[Philippians 3:2]] and [[2 Peter 2:22]], κύων becomes a potent symbol for those who corrupt the gospel or revert to sin. It highlights the serious nature of spiritual deception and the dangers of abandoning a true walk with God. The imagery conveys not just error, but a fundamentally depraved nature that returns to its base instincts.
3. **Exclusion from God's Kingdom:** The ultimate exclusion of "dogs" from the New Jerusalem in [[Revelation 22:15]] emphasizes the absolute holiness of God's eternal dwelling and the necessity of spiritual purity for entrance. It functions as a stark warning to those who persist in unrighteousness, affirming that a life characterized by impurity and hostility to God has no place in His presence.
4. **Nuance of Grace:** While overwhelmingly negative, the interaction with the Syrophoenician woman (using the diminutive κυνάριον) offers a profound theological nuance. It demonstrates that even those initially categorized as "outsiders" or "dogs" can, through faith, access God's grace. This instance, while not directly using κύων, illuminates the potential for God's mercy to transcend human and cultural boundaries, even when such terms are part of the initial framework.
### Summary
The Greek word κύων (kýōn), Strong's `{{G2965}}`, meaning "dog," functions almost exclusively as a powerful and often pejorative metaphor in the New Testament. Far from denoting a beloved pet, it consistently symbolizes spiritual impurity, aggression, and exclusion. Its primary uses describe those who are spiritually profane, hostile to divine truth, or engaged in false teaching ([[Matthew 7:6]], [[Philippians 3:2]]). It also vividly portrays the character of apostates ([[2 Peter 2:22]]) and those ultimately barred from God's holy presence in the New Jerusalem ([[Revelation 22:15]]). While the literal dog in ancient culture was often a scavenger and unclean, κύων in the New Testament extends this imagery to the spiritual realm, serving as a stark warning against those who oppose God's kingdom and highlighting the boundaries of divine holiness and salvation.
TRV