dog

A domesticated member of the canine family. Dogs were highly esteemed and were popular in Mesopotamia as hunting companions. The Hebrews, however, viewed them with utter disgust. When applied to a person “dog” becomes a term of disregard and humiliation, and in (Ps 22:16) enemies are called “dogs.” In (1Sam 17:43) Goliath ridicules David’s weapons by saying “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” The little dogs (Gk. kynarion) that ate the proverbial “crumbs that fall from their masters’ table,” however, had access to the house and may have been pets (Matt 15:27; Mark 7:28).