what does the bible say about dogs

The Bible mentions dogs in several contexts that reflect a range of views from practical roles to symbolic meanings. Biblically, dogs were known as domesticated animals serving as companions, hunting dogs, sheep dogs, and guard dogs, but they were not typically household pets as in modern times. The Bible sometimes portrays dogs negatively, symbolizing impurity, uncleanliness, and outsiders or enemies of God. For example, dogs are associated with scavengers eating dead bodies (1 Kings 21:23) and used metaphorically in sayings like "like a dog that returns to its vomit" (Proverbs 26:11). They also represent outsiders in some New Testament passages, such as the story of the Gentile woman in Matthew 15:26-27, where "dogs" symbolize Gentiles contrasted with Israelites. Despite this, dogs are not considered ritually unclean animals in the Bible, and they appear in more positive roles such as companions on journeys (Book of Tobit), as well as guard and sheep dogs in the Old Testament (Job 30:1; Isaiah 56:10-11). The Bible also emphasizes the righteous care for animals, including dogs, highlighting stewardship and animal welfare as important. In summary, dogs in the Bible are multifunctional: practical working animals, symbols of impurity or outsiders, and examples of responsibility in caring for creation. They carry both literal and metaphorical significance throughout scripture.