It’s hard not to resist singing that classic riff by the Baha Men, ‘Who let the dogs out? . . . . Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.’ (Now, you can’t get the tune out of your head. Muwahahah.)
I only recently discovered what that song actually means. The dogs refer to arrogant men. They are men who have no respect for women, but will persist in hitting on girls at parties.
Though, to label a person a dog is open to both sexes.
As far as my understanding goes, in Aussie slang, to call a woman a dog is to say that she is physically unattractive or unpleasant. What’s even harsher is to be specific and call her a female dog (I shall refrain from using the unsavory term here—you know what it is—and it rhymes with witch). It is a derogatory expression.
And generally, on popular dating shows aired for Aussie consumption, a ‘No dogs allowed’ sign must be nailed on the door for auditions. There never seems to be any plain Janes or aesthetically challenged people on our screens. It makes sense. We’re attracted to beautiful people.
When is a dog, not a dog?
During my own scripture reading, I came across a familiar passage that has troubled me in the past. It’s in Mark 7:24-30. Read it for yourself. Also, read the account in Matthew 15:22-28.
Did Jesus refer to a woman as a dog? Was he being offensive? Even in Christ’s day to call someone a dog was a slur, a bitter insult.
Here we find that Jesus leaves Galilee and enters into Gentile territory. He makes a lengthy journey up the coast to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Outside Galilee, he would be free from the multitudes. With his identity concealed, he could instruct his disciples in relative peace.
However, a Gentile, a Syrophoenician woman cannot keep her mouth shut. She gives away Jesus’ identity.
The territory of Tyre was close to Judea, and though she is a Greek, a Gentile woman, she is familiar with Jewish customs. She is acutely aware that she lacks the religious and cultural credentials to approach any Jewish rabbi.
Yet, she falls at Christ’s feet, pleading that he drive out the demon tormenting her young daughter. She’s persistent and will not step begging. What was it about Jesus that compelled her to approach him with such boldness? Was it his warmth, the tender look in his eye, a smile?
She is from a nation that treats Jews badly. She is astute enough to understand that Jewish religious leaders have little regard for Gentiles.
Jesus makes this startling and curious comment.
“Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”
Wait a minute. Did he just call her a dog? Yes, he did.
In order to appreciate the full weight of his words, we must examine it within its cultural context.
During this period, it was common for Jews to call Gentiles or non-Jews, dogs.
Surrounding the villages were wild dogs that ran in packs. They would roam the land scavenging for food. In the course of hunting down the next meal, these dogs would attack livestock and people. These wild dogs were vicious, filthy and hated by all.
However, Jesus took the nastiness out of the term dog.
When Jesus used the word for dog, he meant the small household puppies that were often found under the table. See this for yourselves by checking a Strong’s Concordance.
Who doesn’t love a puppy? These were the family pets—cute, domesticated dogs living in their homes—and not the savage and repulsive wild mongrels.
It would be no stretch of the imagination to think that Jesus may have spoken to her in a playful tone, in giving her a riddle to see if she could figure out his meaning.
Now, most people during this time ate with their hands instead of using utensils. When eating bread, they’d rip parts of it off and dip it into the sauces, soups or spreads. (Think of Lebanese flat bread and dipping it in hummus or a lentil and bean soup.)
Once they’d finished eating, there would be grease and remnants of food all over their fingers and hands. So, the last piece of bread served as a napkin to wipe their hands down.
A very eager little pet dog would be waiting under the table to receive that final piece of bread.
Jesus was saying to her in an indirect way, that his role was to minister first to his own people, the children of the covenant, or the nation of Israel.
In Matthew 15: 24 he said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
While he was on earth, he had to prove to his own people that he was the fulfillment of all the Scripture’s promises.
However, we know that after he rose from the dead, he instructed his disciples to spread the Gospel beyond Jewish circles, and to preach to all nations.
The order and timing had to be right.
First, the children eat at the table, and afterwards the family pets eat. That’s the order of things. People before pets, and not the other way around.
All she wants is a crumb from the master.
Here, we know that this particular Gentile woman has wit and intelligence, because she counters with this, “Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.”
This Gentile understands something that the disciples will take years to grasp. Yes, Jesus came for the Jews first, but he came for Gentiles as well, only later.
She knew she wasn’t a Jew and had no place at the table, but there was plenty of bread for everyone, and she needed bread urgently.
He could make the exception and help her daughter in the here and now.
I can picture Jesus grinning, clapping his hands, nodding in approval at the quickness of her mind. And for her faith, Jesus grants her request. “For this saying go thy way; the devil (demon) is gone out of thy daughter.”
The Syrophoenician’s daughter is not even in the same house with Christ, but for the Son of God, time and space hold no barriers. Jesus heals the girl by long distance.
Can you imagine this woman’s joy when she returned to her own home to find her daughter released from demon possession?
Regardless of who you are or where you come from, God honours the confidence you have in Him.
Bibliography
Author Unspecified. 2016, ‘The real meaning for the song ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ isn’t what you think it is.’ ZM. Retrieved 4 June 2021 from
Author Unspecified. 2021, ‘What does Mark 7:27 mean?’, Bible Ref. Retrieved 4 June 2021 from
https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/7/Mark-7-27.html
Gentry, A. 2014, ‘Meaning of Mark 7:24-30’, Austin Gentry. Retrieved 4 June 2021 from
Guzik, D. 2018, ‘Mark 7 – Declaring Food and People Clean’, Enduring Word. Retrieved 4 June 2021 from
Henry, M. 1961, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Zondervan, Michigan.
Keener, C.1993, The IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament, IVP Academic, Illinois.
Pawson, D. 2015, Unlocking the Bible, William Collins, UK.
Pfeiffer C,F. 1990, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Moody Publishers, Illinois.
Smith, C. “Commentary on Mark 7:27”. “Chuck Smith Bible Commentary”. Study Light. Retrieved 4 June 2021 from
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/csc/mark-7.html. 2014.
Plenty of bread and our urgent need ????????(thanks, Shirls)
He is the bread of life.
Thanks, Lisa.