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Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
You shouldn't give these holy things to the dogs nor toss those pearls of yours in front of the sows. Not when they might trample them with those feet of theirs and being twisted might tear you all apart.
This verse seems to be a radical departure from the previous context of not criticizing others. Calling people "dogs" and "sows" is absurd for one who teaches against using less insulting other terms such as "moron." We can assume humor is the basis of this statement, but the only way it fits into the conversation is to assume Jesus is quoting the way other people criticized people. If I add the earlier Sermon catchphrase, "you have heard it said" before this line, it makes a lot more sense.
Though the first two verbs here, "give" and "cast/throw' from the first part of look like commands in the English translations, they are not. If their forms agree, they express a possibility, what you "should not" do. This verb form is the same for used for the earlier "commands" in the "you have heard it said" verses. The words is this first part--"pearls," "dogs," "swine,"-- are uncommon for Jesus and the NT. Both "dogs" and "swine" are common insults in most languages. The "swine" is in the female form, so "sows" and the private parts of women. "Pearls" is a metaphor for "wisdom" as we say, "pearls of wisdom" in English.
All the verbs in the second part of the verse -- "trample," "turn," and "rend" -- are uncommon for Jesus and the NT, but they all appear dozens of times in the OT. . Most have interesting metaphorical meanings in Greek. "Trample" is a metaphor for treating people rudely. "Rend" is a word that primarily means "break" in many different sense. In the OT, it is used to mean "break apart." However, the verb for "turn" means "be converted." I spent some time to if Jesus is referencing something in the OT with these words but they don't seem to be used together. The closest is 1 Samuel 14:47 that uses the word for "turn" and 1 Samuel 14:48 the uses the term of "trample," which is translated there as "spoiled." These Greek words are used to translated many different Hebrew words in the Septuagint. For example, the word translated as "trample" is used to translate at least ten different Hebrew words.
The key to this verse is in the passive form of the verb translated as "turn". The Greek word has various meanings of turning and twisting and it is a metaphor for pain as we might say, "He had a bad turn." However, it also means "to convert" and "to change" a thing. It is in the form of an adjective, "turning" but its form is passive, "being turned". In the passive form, it especially means being changed or converted. In the OT, this word is almost always used to describe a change of heart, for better of worse.
This last part of the verse describes the reaction by people who are disparaged. They are blind to what those who disparage them see as holy and valuable. Because they are blind, they try to destroy the value in what they are given, but they are turned around and break up those who disparaged them.
Those who are disparaged do not see value in the same way as those who disparage them.
Μὴ δῶτε τὸ ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν,
-n't You should give these holy things to these dogs
μηδὲ βάλητε τοὺς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων,
nor toss those pearls of yours in front of the sows.
μή ποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς.
Not when they might trample them with those feet of theirs and being converted might tear apart you all.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give" is not in the form of a command but something that "should" or "might" be done.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "which is" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "pearls" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "swine" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "under" should be "with."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "turn" is not an active verb but a participle, "turning."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive, "being turned."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "and again" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "rend" should be "break."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "rend" or "break" is not in the form of a command but something that "might" be done.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give" is not in the form of a command but something that "should" or "might" be done.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "dogs" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The phrase "is" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "not" should be "neither."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "throw" is not in the form of a command but something that "should" or "might" be done.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "pearls" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" should be "before."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "pigs" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" before "if/when" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "you do" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "if" should be "when."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "under" should be "with."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "feet" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "turn" is not an active verb but a participle, "turning."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive, "being turned."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "and again" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "rend" or "break" is not in the form of a command but something that "might" be done.
Give - (WF) The verb translated as "give" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", and so on. Its form could be a command, as translated in the KJV, but it could also be a simple statement, "You don't want to give". It is in the present tense.
not - The negative "not" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. Jesus often uses it with his "prohibition", but not exclusively.
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
which is -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "which is" in the Greek source.
holy - The Greek word translated as "holy" is an adjective meaning "devoted to the gods" and "pure". It is singular and introduced by an article so "the holy" or "the sacred". Its form is a singular object, of "given."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object is the most common.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
dogs, - The Greek word translated as "dogs", means a "dog". As in many languages, it was also an insult. Specifically, it implied shamelessness and in women and recklessness in men. This is an uncommon word for Jesus to use.
neither - The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even". The word for "nor" is the Greek subjective negative plus the Greek word for "but." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. The negative is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done.
cast - The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. This verb is in a very different form than the "give" above. It is not a command, but a simple statement. It is not in the present tense. It is either in the future tense or in a form indicating something that might happen at some time.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
pearls - The Greek word "pearls", as in English, means a piece of wisdom, as in a "pearl of wisdom." Christ uses it specifically as a metaphor for the wisdom of the realm of the skies.
before - The Greek word translated as "before" means "in front of".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
swine, - The Greek word translated as "swine" primarily means "sow," but it was also used as a Greek slang term for the female sexual parts as we use a term for cats. Of course, the pig was an unclean animal among the Jews. We may assume was used by them as a derogatory term. It is introduced by an article so "the sows".
lest -- The negative used here as "lest" is the same word as the earlier "not." It is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done.
missing "when"-- (MW) The untranslated word "when" means "when" or "at that time".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
trample - The word for "trample" is also is also a metaphor for treating someone rudely or spurning them, treating them with neglect. It is an uncommon word for Christ. It is in a tense indicating something that happens at some time, which is the form required by the untranslated "when" or "at that time" above.
them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
under - (WW) The word translated as "under" primarily means "in" and "on". In this context, it has more the sense of "with"
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
feet, - The Greek word translated as "feet" means "feet" and it also includes the concept of "stepping on" something.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."
turn - (WF, WV) The verb translated as "turn" has various meanings of turning and twisting and it is a metaphor for pain as we might say, "He had a bad turn." However, it also means "to convert" and "to change" a thing. It is in the form of an adjective, "turning" and its voice is passive, "being turned". In the passive form, it especially means being changed or converted.
again and -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "again and" in the Greek source.
rend - (WW, WF) The term for "rend" means to "break apart," but also captures many of English ideas of "break" including "breaking into speech" and "breaking into tears." The form is one of possibility, requiring a "might."
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
Do -- This helping verb is used to create commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not - The negative "not" used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done. Jesus often uses it with his "prohibition", but not exclusively.
give - (WF) The verb translated as "give" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", and so on. Its form could be a command, as translated in the KJV, but it could also be a simple statement, "You don't want to give". It is in the present tense.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
dogs, - The Greek word translated as "dogs", means a "dog". As in many languages, it was also an insult. Specifically, it implied shamelessness and in women and recklessness in men. This is an uncommon word for Jesus to use.
what -- The word translated as "what" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
is -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which is" in the Greek source.
sacred- The Greek word translated as "sacred" is an adjective meaning "devoted to the gods" and "pure". It is singular and introduced by an article so "the holy" or "the sacred". Its form is a singular object, of "given."
do -- This helping verb is used to create commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not - (WW) The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even". The word for "nor" is the Greek subjective negative plus the Greek word for "but." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. The negative is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done.
throw - (WF) The word translated as "through" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. This verb is in a very different form than the "give" above. It is not a command, but a simple statement. It is not in the present tense. It is either in the future tense or in a form indicating something that might happen at some time.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
pearls - The Greek word "pearls", as in English, means a piece of wisdom, as in a "pearl of wisdom." Christ uses it specifically as a metaphor for the wisdom of the realm of the skies.
to - (WW) The Greek word translated as "to" means "before" and "in front of".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
pigs, - The Greek word translated as "pigs" primarily means "sow," but it was also used as a Greek slang term for the female sexual parts as we use a term for cats. Of course, the pig was an unclean animal among the Jews. We may assume was used by them as a derogatory term. It is introduced by an article so "the sows".
missing "not"-- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the same word as the earlier "not." It is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't one.
If -- (WW) The "if" is from the Greek word that means "when" or "at that time". This is not the "when" that works like our "when" in "when this/then that" type sentences.
you do, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "you do" in the Greek source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
trample - The word for "trample" is also is also a metaphor for treating someone rudely or spurning them, treating them with neglect. It is an uncommon word for Christ. It is in a tense indicating something that happens at some time, which is the form required by the untranslated "when" or "at that time" above.
them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
under - (WW) The word translated as "under" primarily means "in" and "on". In this context, it has more the sense of "with"
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
feet, - The Greek word translated as "feet" means "feet" and it also includes the concept of "stepping on" something.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."
turn - (WF, WV) The verb translated as "turn" has various meanings of turning and twisting and it is a metaphor for pain as we might say, "He had a bad turn." However, it also means "to convert" and "to change" a thing. It is in the form of an adjective, "turning" and its voice is passive, "being turned". In the passive form, it especially means being changed or converted.
and -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" here in the Greek source.
tear - (WF) The term for "tear..to pieces" means to "break apart," but also captures many of English ideas of "break" including "breaking into speech" and "breaking into tears." The form is one of possibility, requiring a "might."
you. -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
to pieces. -- This completes the idea of "tearing to pieces" in the verb.
Μὴ (partic) "Not" is from me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. --
δῶτε (verb 2nd pl aor subj act) "Give" is from didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe."
τὸ (article sg neut acc) "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἅγιον (adj sg neut acc) "Holy" is from hagios, which means "devoted to the gods", "pure", "holy," and on the negative side "accursed."
τοῖς (article pl masc/fem dat)) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κυσίν, [2 verses](noun pl masc/fem dat) "Dogs" is from kyon, which means "dog", "bitch", "shepherds' dogs", "watch-dogs," a word of reproach to denote shamelessness or audacity (in women); recklessness (in men), and offensive people generally (compared to yapping dogs), a positive metaphor for people implying, watch-dog or guardian, servants, agents or watchers, and "the ace (the worst throw at dice)."
μηδὲ (partic) "Neither" is from mede, which means "and not", "but not", "nor," and "not." The negative is the one used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."
βάλητε (2nd pl aor subj act) "Cast" is from ballo, which means "to throw", "to let fall", "to put", "to pour," or "to cast."
τοὺς (article) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
μαργαρίτας [3 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Pearls" is margarites, which means "pearl," and "a precious stone." It is a metaphor for "wisdom."
ὑμῶν (pron 2nd pl gen) "Thy" is from su which means "you" and "your."
ἔμπροσθεν (adv) "Before" is from emprosthen, which as an adverb means [of place]"in front of", "before", "forwards," [of time] "before", "of old," and as a preposition, "facing", "opposite", "in front," [of time] beforehand," and [of degree] "preferred before." It also denotes a ranking.
τῶν (article) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
χοίρων, [3 verses](noun pl masc/fem gen ) "Swine" is choiros, which means "sow", "young pig", "porker", "swine," and slang for the female sex organ.
μή (partic) "Lest" is from me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. --
ποτε (partic) Untranslated is pote, which means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time, and "at some time in the future."
καταπατήσουσιν [3 verses](3rd pl aor subj act) "They trample" is from katapateo, which means "to trod underfoot", "trample," and "trample down."
αὐτοὺς (adj pl masc acc ) "Them" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ἐν (prep) "Under" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".
τοῖς (article pl masc dat)) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
ποσὶν (noun pl masc dat) "Feet" is from pous, which means a "foot", "a talon [of a bird]," and the concept of "to trample" or "to tred upon."
αὐτῶν (adj pl masc gen ) "Their" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
στραφέντες [3 verses]( (part pl aor pass masc nom) "Turn" is from strepho, which means "turn aside", "turn about," "turn over", "rotate", "sprain", "dislocate", "twist", "torture", "return", "plait", "to twist about", "change", "to always be engaged in", "to turn about with oneself", "to wheel about", "give back," and "convert." It is a metaphor for pain.
ῥήξωσιν [4 verses](3rd pl aor subj act) "Rend" is from rhegnumi also means to "tear apart", "break asunder", "rend", "shatter," "break a line of battle", "break oneself a way through", "break into speech", "speak out", "cry aloud", "burst forth", "having let loose," and "having burst into [tears]."
ὑμᾶς. (pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is from humas and humon, which is a plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
Almost every word has a double meaning including some stuff that is certainly rude and possibly crude (women as "sows" and possibly "pussies.")
"Holy" means "pure."
Trampling the "holy" and "wise" has the effect of "turning" or "converting" the dogs and pigs.
Dogs is a metaphor for the shameless and offensive.
"Pearls" means "piece of wisdom" as we use the term "pearls of wisdom."
"Pigs" was a slang term for a woman's sexual orders. It also meant "the unclean."
“But can’t we criticize men when they act like dogs!” she asked cheerfully.
Most laughed. A few women applauded. Some men barked.
“Dogs” is a common epithet among Judeans to describe any group of enemies. It is used commonly to described foreigners, but there are as many divisions among Galileans as there are in most places. Every town, clan, and family in the region had its rivals. However, the woman said “dogs” so cheerfully that it seemed more like a tease than an epithet.
“And what about sows?” a man responded somewhere near the woman in a similar good-natured tone. “Do they appreciate your pearls of wisdom?”
“Sows,” of course, is a common epithet for a woman of questionable character in Judea, as it is many other places, but this too was said in a light-hearted way. Their tone made this man and woman sound more like feuding lovers than true enemies
We laughed. Some applauded.
The Master, on the other hand, looked confused.
“You all shouldn’t want to give the sacred to the dogs,” the Teacher agreed in a bewildered tone as if taking the epithets literally. “Nor should you toss out those pearls of yours in front of those sows!”
We laughed harder at his feigned perplexed manner.
The only ones who didn’t think his responses were funny were the Distinguished who were fed up with the Nazarene’s manner.
“By joking about the sacred, you are the one tossing wisdom to these dogs and sows!”Simeon complained bitterly, standing up and stamping his feet in protest.
“Not when they might trample them with those feet of theirs,” the Teacher continued as if ignoring Simeon while referring to his stamping.
“You are turning around our laws, tearing them apart!” Simeon growled vehemently, clawing the air with a dismissing gesture as he sat back down.
“And, being turned around,” the Master suggested sympathetically , “they might tear you apart!”