swine Summary and Overview

(Heb. hazir), regarded as the most unclean and the most abhorred of all animals (Lev. 11:7; Isa. 65:4; 66:3, 17; Luke 15:15, 16). A herd of swine were drowned in the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:32, 33). Spoken of figuratively in Matt. 7:6 (see Prov. 11:22). It is frequently mentioned as a wild animal, and is evidently the wild boar (Arab. khanzir), which is common among the marshes of the Jordan valley (Ps. 80:13).

(Heb. chazir). The flesh of swine was forbidden as food by the Levitical law, #Le 11:7; De 14:8| the abhorrence which the Jews as a nation had of it may be inferred from #Isa 65:4| and 2 Macc 6:18,19. No other reason for the command to abstain from swine's flesh is given in the law of Moses beyond the general one which forbade any of the mammalia as food which did not literally fulfill the terms of the definition of a clean animal" viz,, that it was to be a cloven-footed ruminant. It is, however, probable that dietetical considerations may have influenced Moses in his prohibition of swine's flesh: it is generally believed that its use in hot countries is liable to induce cutaneous disorders; hence in a people liable to leprosy the necessity for the observance of a strict rule. Although the Jews did not breed swine during the greater period of their existence as a nation there can be little doubt that the heathen nations of Israel used the flesh as food. At the time of our Lord's ministry it would appear that the Jews occasionally violated the law of Moses with regard to swine's flesh. Whether "the herd of swine" into which the devils were allowed to enter, #Mt 8:32; Mr 5:13| were the property of the Jewish or of the Gentile inhabitants of Gadara does not appear from the sacred narrative. The wild boar of the wood, #Ps 80:13| is the common Sus scrofa which is frequently met with in the woody parts of Israel, especially in Mount Tabor.

SWINE , Deut 14:8, or HOG, was unclean by the ritual law, and an object of utter abhorrence to the Jews. Hence the employment of the prodigal son implies the most contemptible degradation. Luke 15:15. Eating the flesh of swine is mentioned among the sinful practices of the Jews. Isa 65:4; Isa 66:17. The filthy habits of this animal illustrate one feature in the character of sinners. 2 Pet 2:22. The herd of swine miraculously destroyed, Matt 8:32, perhaps belonged to Jews, and, if so, were of course kept in violation of their own law. Lev 11:7. To cast "pearls before swine," Matt 7:6, is not more vain and wasteful than to offer the words of truth and wisdom to those who are known to despise them, and who would only return the offer with insult and abuse. As the Moslems hold the hog in fully as great abhorrence as do the Jews, it is very rarely that this animal is seen in Palestine or Mohammedan countries.