### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G5300 (hŷs) is a primary word meaning "hog," "pig," or "swine." Its semantic range is narrow, referring specifically to the animal itself. In both ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, the pig was widely recognized, but its status varied significantly. For the Israelites, as detailed in the Mosaic Law, it was considered an unclean animal, forbidden for consumption and associated with impurity. This underlying cultural and religious understanding heavily influences its metaphorical use in the New Testament.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G5300 appears twice in the New Testament, both times in a metaphorical or proverbial sense, carrying strong negative connotations rooted in its Old Testament designation as an unclean animal:
* **[[Matthew 7:6]]**: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and tear you." Here, "swine" are paired with "dogs" as recipients of sacred things ("what is holy," "pearls"). The imagery depicts a profound lack of appreciation or discernment, suggesting that certain truths or sacred teachings should not be offered to those who are spiritually unreceptive, impure, or who would only profane and abuse them. The swine's natural inclination to trample and tear underscores the danger of offering sacred wisdom to those who lack the capacity or desire to properly receive it, leading to its desecration and potential harm to the giver.
* **[[2 Peter 2:22]]**: "The proverb holds true for them: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and 'A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mire.'" In this passage, G5300 (specifically "sow") is again paired with "dog" to illustrate the nature of false teachers or apostates who, despite having seemingly escaped the defilement of the world through knowledge of Christ, revert to their former sinful ways. The "sow that is washed" vividly portrays a superficial cleansing, where the external appearance of righteousness is adopted, but the internal nature remains unchanged, leading to an inevitable return to impurity and moral degradation. This verse highlights the profound difference between outward conformity and genuine, transformative repentance.
In both instances, the word G5300 functions as a powerful symbol of impurity, lack of discernment, and a return to base, defiling behaviors.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual connections for G5300 are:
* **Unclean Animals**: The most significant background for G5300 is the Old Testament designation of swine as unclean animals (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:7]], [[Deuteronomy 14:8]]). This legal and ritual impurity is the foundation for its New Testament metaphorical usage.
* **`{{G2965}}` (kuōn - dog)**: This word is frequently paired with G5300 in the New Testament (as seen in [[Matthew 7:6]] and [[2 Peter 2:22]]), forming a common idiom for those who are morally defiled, aggressive, or lacking spiritual understanding. Both animals were considered unclean and often associated with scavenging and base behavior.
* **Impurity and Defilement**: The concept of defilement (e.g., `{{G3394}}` miasma, `{{G3393}}` miainō) is central to understanding the symbolic weight of G5300. The pig embodies that which is inherently unclean and prone to wallowing in filth, serving as a stark contrast to spiritual purity.
* **Apostasy and Backsliding**: In [[2 Peter 2:22]], the "sow" is a powerful image for those who abandon their spiritual progress and return to their former sinful lives, aligning with concepts of falling away (e.g., `{{G646}}` apostasia) or turning back.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G5300 primarily revolves around two key themes:
1. **Discernment and the Sacred**: In [[Matthew 7:6]], the "swine" represent individuals who are spiritually unreceptive or hostile to divine truth. This passage underscores the sacredness of the Gospel message and warns against its profanation by offering it indiscriminately to those who will only scorn, abuse, or misunderstand it. It calls for spiritual wisdom in discerning to whom the deepest truths should be shared, not out of elitism, but out of reverence for the holy and a recognition of the potential for harm when sacred things are devalued.
2. **The Nature of True Transformation and Apostasy**: [[2 Peter 2:22]] uses the "sow" as a potent metaphor for those who experience an outward, superficial cleansing but whose inner nature remains unchanged. This highlights the critical distinction between mere behavioral modification or intellectual assent and genuine spiritual regeneration. The imagery of the sow returning to its mire emphasizes the deep-seated nature of sin and the danger of apostasy for those who have tasted the truth but ultimately reject it, revealing their true character as still bound by corruption. It serves as a solemn warning against superficial faith and underscores the necessity of a radical, internal transformation wrought by God's grace.
In both contexts, G5300 serves as a vivid negative archetype, reinforcing biblical teachings on spiritual purity, the sanctity of divine revelation, and the profound reality of genuine conversion versus mere outward conformity.
### Summary
The Greek word G5300 (hŷs), meaning "hog" or "swine," is used sparingly but powerfully in the New Testament. Drawing on its Old Testament designation as an unclean animal, it consistently serves as a symbol of impurity, lack of discernment, and a return to base, defiling behaviors. In [[Matthew 7:6]], "swine" represent those who would profane sacred truths, emphasizing the need for spiritual wisdom in sharing the Gospel. In [[2 Peter 2:22]], the "sow" illustrates the tragic reality of apostasy, where individuals who have experienced a superficial cleansing revert to their former sinful ways, underscoring the necessity of true, internal transformation. Thus, G5300 contributes significantly to biblical warnings about the sacredness of divine revelation and the profound nature of genuine spiritual life.
TRV