Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, sows, or female pigs, are mentioned in a few contexts, primarily symbolizing uncleanness and folly. The pig, in general, is considered an unclean animal according to the dietary laws given to the Israelites. This is rooted in the Mosaic Law, where pigs are listed among the animals that are not to be eaten or touched.
Unclean Animal:The pig is explicitly mentioned in
Leviticus 11:7-8 : "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." This prohibition is reiterated in
Deuteronomy 14:8, emphasizing the pig's status as an unclean animal. The sow, as a female pig, falls under this category, reinforcing the broader symbolism of impurity associated with pigs in the biblical context.
Symbol of Folly:In the New Testament, the sow is used metaphorically to illustrate the concept of returning to one's sinful ways after having been cleansed.
2 Peter 2:22 states, "Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and, 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'" This verse highlights the futility and foolishness of returning to sinful behavior after experiencing redemption and cleansing. The imagery of a sow returning to the mud after being washed serves as a powerful illustration of the human tendency to revert to old, sinful habits despite having been given a new start.
Cultural and Religious Context:In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, the pig was not only considered unclean but also associated with Gentile practices and idolatry. The presence of pigs in certain regions or among certain peoples often symbolized a departure from the covenantal laws given to the Israelites. This cultural backdrop further underscores the negative connotations associated with sows and pigs in the biblical narrative.
Proverbs and Wisdom Literature:While sows are not directly mentioned in the wisdom literature of the Bible, the themes of folly and uncleanness associated with them resonate with the broader teachings found in books like Proverbs. The emphasis on wisdom, purity, and adherence to God's laws contrasts sharply with the imagery of the sow, reinforcing the call to live a life set apart from impurity and foolishness.
In summary, sows in the Bible are emblematic of uncleanness and the folly of returning to sin. They serve as a vivid reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and the dangers of reverting to a life contrary to God's commandments.
Greek
4687. speiro -- to sow (seed)... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to sow (seed) NASB Word Usage sow (13), sowed
(6), sower (5), sower
sows (1), sowing (1), sown (17),
sows (8). sow, scatter.
...Strong's Hebrew
3157. Yizreel -- "Godsows," two Israelites, also two cities in...... 3156, 3157. Yizreel. 3158 . "God
sows," two Israelites, also two cities
in Isr., also a valley in Northern Israel. Transliteration
...2232. zara -- to sow, scatter seed
... conceive (1), gives birth (1), perpetuated (1), plant seed (1), scatter (1), set
(1), sow (28), sowed (2), sower (2), sowing (2), sown (10),sows (2), unsown...
4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... 1), go (1), led (1), long blast (2), make a long blast (1), march (1), prolong
(1), prolonged (1), pulled (3), sounds a long blast (1),sows (1), stimulate (1...
Library
When a ManSows, He Expects to Reap.
... CHAPTER III. When a ManSows, He Expects to Reap. WHEN A MANSOWS, HE EXPECTS
TO REAP. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious...
A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as HeSows.
... CHAPTER IV. A MAN EXPECTS TO REAP THE SAME KIND AS HESOWS. "Herb yielding...
13. A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as HeSows. If...
A Man Reaps More than HeSows.
... CHAPTER V. A Man Reaps More Than HeSows. A MAN REAPS MORE THAN HESOWS.
"But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit...
Fragments.
... pronounces all sexual connection impure, who was also the very violent heresiarch
of the Encratites, employs an argument of this sort: "If any onesows to the...
Sowing and Reaping
... A king on the throne, like David, or a priest behind the altar, like Eli; priest
and prophet, preacher and hearer, every man must reap what hesows....
The Promises of the Christian Home.
... offspring. What the parentsows, the child will reap.... corruption. Thus, whatsoever
the parentsows in the child he shall reap from the child....
Christian Graces.
... There is a mansows his field with wheat, but as hesows, some is covered with great
clods: now, that grows as well as the rest, though it runs not upright as...
How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... Or, take two farmsteads; one farmersows tares in his field, and in due time his
barns are filled therewith; anothersows wheat, and his garners are stored...
To the End the Soul May Attain to the Supreme Internal Peace, it...
... 45. The husbandman sets a greater esteem upon the plants which hesows in the ground,
than those that spring up of themselves, because these never come to...
The Evil one Perceived his Great Humiliation, and Boasted Himself...
... Good seed hesows in his ground; in his heart hesows tares. His understanding is
thrown open and cast down; but at the fences of his vineyard he labours....
Thesaurus
Sows (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sows (18 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As he
sows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY).
...Reaps (6 Occurrences)
... Reaps (6 Occurrences). John 4:36 He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit
to eternal life; that both he whosows and he who reaps may rejoice together....
Reap (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: he whosows sparingly will also reap sparingly.
He whosows bountifully will also reap bountifully....
Way-side (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Way-side (10 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As hesows, some
of the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY)....
Falls (79 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 13:4 As hesows, some of the seed falls
by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY)....
Peck (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peck (3 Occurrences). Matthew 13:4 As hesows, some of
the seed falls by the way-side, and the birds come and peck it up. (WEY)....
stingy (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he whosows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he whosows bountifully will also reap...
Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Galatians 6:8 He whosows in the field of his lower nature, will from that nature
reap destruction; but he whosows to serve the Spirit will from the Spirit...
Generously (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: he whosows sparingly will also reap sparingly.
He whosows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (See NIV)....
Forget (77 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he whosows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he whosows bountifully will also reap...
Resources
What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that everything happens for a reason? | GotQuestions.orgIs “you reap what you sow” biblical? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
