Who are the dogs of Rev. 22:15

[Gail]

... That are not allowed to enter the New Jerusalem?

I am gathering that the verse is referring to people, not animals. But who constitutes those termed as dogs?

[HopefulOne]

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Rev 22:14-15 (KJV)

Basically those who do not "DO" His commandments

are not allowed in.

Verse 15 paints an ugly picture of those folks.

[phkrause]

Here's how the CJB interprets this verse:

15 Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

and here's what the SDABC says about this verse or the word dogs:

Dogs. A figure for a vile, shameless person (see on Phil. 3:2).

[Johann]

Here's how the CJB interprets this verse:

15 Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

and here's what the SDABC says about this verse or the word dogs:

Dogs. A figure for a vile, shameless person (see on Phil. 3:2).

A translation or a commentary?

[joeb]

Gail,

The Greek word translated as dog, according to Strong's, actually meant hound. That's a common term used in the description of some people.

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

Quote:

1hound

noun \ˈhau̇nd\

Definition of HOUND

1

a : dog

b : a dog of any of numerous hunting breeds including both scent hounds (as the bloodhound and beagle) and sight hounds (as the greyhound and Afghan hound)

2

: a mean or despicable person

3

: dogfish

4

: a person who pursues like a hound; especially : one who avidly seeks or collects something <autograph hounds>

See hound defined for English-language learners »

See hound defined for kids »

From the WordNet dictionary:

Quote:

WordNet ® 3.0 (2006) (wn)

hound

n 1: any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically

having large drooping ears [syn: hound, hound dog]

2: someone who is morally reprehensible; "you dirty dog" [syn:

cad, bounder, blackguard, dog, hound, heel]

v 1: pursue or chase relentlessly; "The hunters traced the deer

into the woods"; "the detectives hounded the suspect until

they found him" [syn: hound, hunt, trace]

Hope this helps.

[Gail]

Yes, it does! I am going to start a topical study on this and see what I discover.

With all the suffering going on in the world, isn't this such very good news, that in the end people judged dispicable enough to be called "dogs" won't be there?

[Ted Oplinger]

I have always seen the term associated with the vile and immoral - who behave like dogs in any of several ways. Even today, to call someone a dog in several areas around the world is perhaps the worst insult to make.

Blessings,

[Kevin H]

I'm tempted to joke "God hates Lassie"...

Anyway; it would be good to do a word study, if anyone had books or programs to look it up. I have a book for Old Testament words but not the New Testament.

I live out in the country so can't get to a libarary that easily, but any of you that can please check out the Anchor Bible for Revelation.

If I recall correctly, the idea of the dogs were the wild dogs that would hang around the garbage dumps, dogs which ate Jezebel, something that people needed to keep an eye out for so that they don't find themselves surrounded by a pack of these wild dogs and to be destroyed by them. Thus the idea that the things in life that keeps snapping at us and can eventually destroy us are not allowed inside the City.

[Gail]

So far, I have found some ideas... Most have to do with the sexual promiscuity of a dog.

Some have connected the idea with temple harlots, both male and female, but it is acknowledged that the evidence for such in ancient Israel is scant.

I have seen also a reference with homosexuals.

It has been mentioned that earnings gained from prostitution are not acceptable in the temple.

But other references, as noted above, have to do with the unclean perspective of a dog. Dogs are scavengers, they are lowly, they eat blood- so they are unholy, spiritual-wise.

Although I don't think at this point that literal dogs will be excluded from the new earth. If serpents can be there in a good form I have hope for the dog, who here on earth has a lot better qualities than earthly serpents.

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

Here's how the CJB interprets this verse:

15 Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

and here's what the SDABC says about this verse or the word dogs:

Dogs. A figure for a vile, shameless person (see on Phil. 3:2).

A translation or a commentary?

Johann, the CJB is a translation, the Complete Jewish Bible.

[Gail]

I'm tempted to joke "God hates Lassie"...

Anyway; it would be good to do a word study, if anyone had books or programs to look it up. I have a book for Old Testament words but not the New Testament.

I live out in the country so can't get to a libarary that easily, but any of you that can please check out the Anchor Bible for Revelation.

If I recall correctly, the idea of the dogs were the wild dogs that would hang around the garbage dumps, dogs which ate Jezebel, something that people needed to keep an eye out for so that they don't find themselves surrounded by a pack of these wild dogs and to be destroyed by them. Thus the idea that the things in life that keeps snapping at us and can eventually destroy us are not allowed inside the City.

Anchor Bible... Ok

[Gail]

83 volumes to the set??? Hokey doodle! For $1900!!!

[Gail]

But I see that you can get them used at Amazon for about $4 and up. In that case it would be well worth it

[phkrause]

A translation or a commentary?

A translation!

[joeb]

Yes, it does! I am going to start a topical study on this and see what I discover.

With all the suffering going on in the world, isn't this such very good news, that in the end people judged dispicable enough to be called "dogs" won't be there?

Yes. A thousand times, yes. That sin will be gone, be no more, would alone make heaven worth it. To live in a place without it, even without eternal life, would be heaven, if you ask me.

[joeb]

Although I don't think at this point that literal dogs will be excluded from the new earth. If serpents can be there in a good form I have hope for the dog, who here on earth has a lot better qualities than earthly serpents.

I can tell you this much, that I know of a lot of dogs who have a lot of better qualities than a lot of people I know, let alone serpents. The love, loyalty, acceptance, desire to defend against attack, etc... that they give the people they love are outstanding attributes.

I can't remember who said it, but "there is honor in being a dog" is a true statement. I have a 4.5 lb Chihuahua/Pappilon cross that is willing to take on a 150 lb dog if he thinks it might hurt me. He's brave far beyond his abilities, but to me it only makes him for more lovable because of his love for me. I just have to be sure to always protect him from himself because he'd get himself killed in a heartbeat.

[Gail]

Thinking about context, about what the ancient Biblical folk had to contend with concerning dogs:

In Psalm 22 the Psalmist talks about the dangers of lions, dogs, and bulls. He does it twice, reversing the order the second time.

In those days when lions were around the Holy Land, men had to protect their flocks and themselves from bears and lions and jackals. To them, an attacking dog would symbolise violent human attackers as it does in this Psalm.

[Gail]

I can tell you this much, that I know of a lot of dogs who have a lot of better qualities than a lot of people I know, let alone serpents. The love, loyalty, acceptance, desire to defend against attack, etc... that they give the people they love are outstanding attributes.

I can't remember who said it, but "there is honor in being a dog" is a true statement. I have a 4.5 lb Chihuahua/Pappilon cross that is willing to take on a 150 lb dog if he thinks it might hurt me. He's brave far beyond his abilities, but to me it only makes him for more lovable because of his love for me. I just have to be sure to always protect him from himself because he'd get himself killed in a heartbeat.

[Johann]

Originally Posted By: Johann

A translation or a commentary?

A translation!

Perhaps? I must admit I have never seen a translation of Scripture that is not also a commentary. So many of the words have various meanings that any translator has to make a decision how he translates the word. This makes any translation a commentary which shows how the translator understands the word.

I have just been reading an English Google translation of a section on Wikipedia, posted as another page on Wikipedia.

Google has the ability to translate the words, but only a translator can make it meaningful. When making the translation meaningful he is writing his commentary.

[Johann]

In our country we have examples of this every day on TV. Although English is not our language many of our TV programs are produced in USA, England or Australia, and many international experts are interviewed in English.

Therefore interpreters have to translate the text into our native language. In many cases they do not see the picture but have to guess the meaning of words. Here is a sample:

- Will I see you on Sunday?

- No, I'm going for a shower.

Obviously it means a baby-shower, but that term is unknown in our language, so the translation is made:

- No, I'm going to take a shower. (Does that take all day, preventing a meeting on that day?)

There are countless examples like this in the Bible, where the translator has to decide how s/he is going to translate, and where we think in certain terms because the persons who translated our Bible have formulated their personal commentary in the text we read.

In most cases the Gospel Message gets through to the reader, but we do also need some experts with such a thorough knowledge of the language that they can guide us through difficult texts in Scripture.

An important example is:

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

[Johann]

So, what is the meaning of dogs in Rev. 22:15?

[Tom Wetmore]

A dog was an unclean animal. It speaks of impurity. That perspective of dogs is still with us among Muslims. Dogs are regarded as worse than pigs. To call someone a dog is a grave insult.