The meaning of the term “dog” as used in the Bible :

It’s with sadness that the word of God is being misunderstood and abused by people who cannot accept that all people are equal before God.

The most famous passage in the Bible using the term “dog” when referring to people can be found in Matthew 15:22-26. This is the incident where Jesus referred to the Canaanite woman as a “dog”.

This incident must be understood within the context of the covenant as Jesus clearly indicated that the Lord came to Israel while the First Covenant/Old Covenant/Mount Sinai Covenant/the law of Moses was still binding and in effect.

The reason why Jesus referred to the Canaanite woman as a dog is the same reason why Jesus referred to Israel also as dogs/cast outside. Now how can Jesus refer to Israel as “cast outside” (Revelation 22:15 dogs are outside ) when Israel is the covenant people.

Luke 13: 28-30 (Good News Bible) How you will cry and grind your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are thrown out! 29People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. 30Then those who are now last will be first, and those who are now first will be last.”

Seeing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom is the time when the new covenant is now in effect. By this time period the old covenant has already been made obsolete and replaced by the new covenant. Under the new covenant not all Israel is Israel but the church (Romans 9:6-8).

In the church/house of the Lord there is no Jew nor Greek, no male nor female, no slave nor freeman (Galations 3:26-28). This means that those descendants of Israel who are not part of the new covenant are being referred to as cast outside (dogs are outside).

Revelation 22:15 “Outside” are the dogs.

2 Peter 2: 20-22. We as Christians are also being referred to as “dogs” when we stop following Jesus Christ and turn back to our old unbelieving sinful ways.

The only sinister aspect of being referred to as a “dog” in the Bible is when we are not part of the new covenant; when we are not in a relationship with Jesus Christ who is the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So we see GOD respects no one but GOD loves everyone.

In the final analysis we must understand the term “dog” within the context of the two Covenants. You are either inside or outside of the covenant (Kingdom of GOD).

I sincerely hope this explanation clarifies the meaning of the term “dog” as used in the Bible.