How do “dogs” and “swine” figure in ancient scripture?

Thomas R. Valletta

The Savior’s teaching “clearly defines ancient Israelites’ regard for the dog. Unlike in modern Western society, the dog in Israelite culture was not ‘man’s best friend’ but an ill-respected scavenger” (Ogden and Skinner, Book of Mormon, 2:174). Additionally, “‘swine’ and ‘sow’ are mentioned in the Nephite portion of the Book of Mormon with a tone of disgust (3 Nephi 7:8; 14:6). That’s what we would expect among people who even nominally followed the constraints of the law of Moses on eating pork” (Sorenson, Ancient American Setting, 297).

The Book of Mormon Study Guide: Start to Finish

References