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Swine

Swine are presented in Scripture as unclean animals under Old Testament law and serve as powerful symbols of spiritual degradation and the consequences of sin in New Testament teachings.

Overview

Swine were considered ceremonially unclean animals under Mosaic law and were forbidden as food for God's people. In the New Testament, swine often symbolize spiritual corruption, worldly indulgence, and the destructive nature of sin. Jesus' interaction with demon-possessed men and a herd of swine illustrates the power of Christ over evil and the worthlessness of worldly possessions compared to spiritual redemption.

Key Scriptures

"And the swine, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you" (Leviticus 11:7, ESV).

"So [the prodigal son] went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to eat some of the pods that the pigs ate" (Luke 15:15-16, ESV).

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs" (Matthew 7:6, NIV).

Application

Reflect on what spiritual "swine" you may be feeding in your life, and recommit to pursuing holiness and guarding your heart from worldly corruption.

Scripture References 40
Psalms 80:13 Luke 15:16 Luke 15:15 Luke 15:16 Matthew 7:6 2 Peter 2:22 Leviticus 11:7 Deuteronomy 14:8 Luke 15:15 2 Peter 2:22 Matthew 8:28 Matthew 8:29 Matthew 8:30 Matthew 8:31 Matthew 8:32 Mark 5:11 Mark 5:12 Mark 5:13 Mark 5:14 Luke 8:32 Luke 8:33 Proverbs 11:22 Matthew 8:30 Isaiah 66:3 2 Peter 2:22 Matthew 8:31 Matthew 8:32 Mark 5:11 Mark 5:14 Isaiah 65:4 Isaiah 66:17 Matthew 7:6 Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:8 Isaiah 65:4 Isaiah 66:17 Isaiah 66:3 Matthew 7:6 Psalms 80:13 Psalms 80:13
Full Topical Reference List 40 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Destructive to agriculture

Psalms 80:13

Fed upon husks

Luke 15:16

Feeding of

Luke 15:15 Luke 15:16

Fierce and ungenerous

Matthew 7:6

Filthy in its habits

2 Peter 2:22

Forbidden as food

Deuteronomy 14:8 Leviticus 11:7

Herding of, considered as the greatest degradation to a Jew

Luke 15:15

Hypocrites

2 Peter 2:22

Jesus sends devils into

Luke 8:32 Luke 8:33 Mark 5:11 Mark 5:12 Mark 5:13 Mark 5:14 Matthew 8:28 Matthew 8:29 Matthew 8:30 Matthew 8:31 Matthew 8:32

Jewels in the nose of

Proverbs 11:22

Kept in large herds

Matthew 8:30

Sacrificing of, and abomination

Isaiah 66:3

Sow returns to her wallow

2 Peter 2:22

The Gergesenes punished for having

Mark 5:11 Mark 5:14 Matthew 8:31 Matthew 8:32

The ungodly Jews condemned for eating

Isaiah 65:4 Isaiah 66:17

The wicked

Matthew 7:6

Unclean and not to be eaten

Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:8

Used for food

Isaiah 65:4 Isaiah 66:17

Used for sacrifice

Isaiah 66:3

Viciousness of

Matthew 7:6

When wild inhabited the woods

Psalms 80:13

Wild boar

Psalms 80:13
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