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Selected Verse: Matthew 7:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 7:6	Strong Concordance	Give [1325] not [3361] that which [3588] is holy [40] unto the dogs [2965], neither [3366] cast [906] ye your [5216] pearls [3135] before [1715] swine [5519], lest [3379] they trample [2662] them [846] under [1722] their [846] feet [4228], and [2532] turn again [4762] and rend [4486] you [5209].
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs--savage or snarling haters of truth and righteousness. neither cast ye your pearls before swine--the impure or coarse, who are incapable of appreciating the priceless jewels of Christianity. In the East, dogs are wilder and more gregarious, and, feeding on carrion and garbage, are coarser and fiercer than the same animals in the West. Dogs and swine, besides being ceremonially unclean, were peculiarly repulsive to the Jews, and indeed to the ancients generally. lest they trample them under their feet--as swine do. and turn again and rend you--as dogs do. Religion is brought into contempt, and its professors insulted, when it is forced upon those who cannot value it and will not have it. But while the indiscriminately zealous have need of this caution, let us be on our guard against too readily setting our neighbors down as dogs and swine, and excusing ourselves from endeavoring to do them good on this poor plea. Prayer (Mat 7:7-11). Enough, one might think, had been said on this subject in Mat 6:5-15. But the difficulty of the foregoing duties seems to have recalled the subject, and this gives it quite a new turn. "How shall we ever be able to carry out such precepts as these, of tender, holy, yet discriminating love?" might the humble disciple inquire. "Go to God with it," is our Lord's reply; but He expresses this with a fulness which leaves nothing to be desired, urging now not only confidence, but importunity in prayer.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs--savage or snarling haters of truth and righteousness.

neither cast ye your pearls before swine--the impure or coarse, who are incapable of appreciating the priceless jewels of Christianity. In the East, dogs are wilder and more gregarious, and, feeding on carrion and garbage, are coarser and fiercer than the same animals in the West. Dogs and swine, besides being ceremonially unclean, were peculiarly repulsive to the Jews, and indeed to the ancients generally.

lest they trample them under their feet--as swine do.

and turn again and rend you--as dogs do. Religion is brought into contempt, and its professors insulted, when it is forced upon those who cannot value it and will not have it. But while the indiscriminately zealous have need of this caution, let us be on our guard against too readily setting our neighbors down as dogs and swine, and excusing ourselves from endeavoring to do them good on this poor plea.

Prayer (Mat 7:7-11). Enough, one might think, had been said on this subject in Mat 6:5-15. But the difficulty of the foregoing duties seems to have recalled the subject, and this gives it quite a new turn. "How shall we ever be able to carry out such precepts as these, of tender, holy, yet discriminating love?" might the humble disciple inquire. "Go to God with it," is our Lord's reply; but He expresses this with a fulness which leaves nothing to be desired, urging now not only confidence, but importunity in prayer.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Give not that which is holy ... - By some the word "holy" has been supposed to mean "flesh offered in sacrifice," made holy, or separated to a sacred use; but it probably means here "anything connected with religion" - admonition, precept, or doctrine. Pearls are precious stones found in shell-fish, chiefly in India, in the waters that surround Ceylon. They are used to denote anything especially precious, Rev 17:4; Rev 18:12-16; Mat 13:45. In this place they are used to denote the doctrines of the gospel. "Dogs" signify people who spurn, oppose, and abuse that doctrine; people of special sourness and malignity of temper, who meet it like growling and quarrelsome curs, Phi 3:2; Pe2 2:22; Rev 22:15. "Swine" denote those who would trample the precepts underfoot; people of impurity of life; those who are corrupt, polluted, profane, obscene, and sensual; those who would not know the value of the gospel, and who would tread it down as swine would pearls, Pe2 2:22; Pro 11:22. The meaning of this proverb, then, is, do not offer your doctrine to those violent and abusive people who would growl and curse you; nor to those especially debased and profligate who would not perceive its value, would trample it down, and would abuse you. This verse furnishes a beautiful instance of what has been called the "introverted parallelism." The usual mode of poetry among the Hebrews, and a common mode of expression in proverbs and apothegms, was by the parallelism, where one member of a sentence answered to another, or expressed substantially the same sense with some addition or modification. See the Introduction to the Book of Job. Sometimes this was alternate, and sometimes it was introverted - where the first and fourth lines would correspond, and the second and third. This is the case here. The dogs would tear, and not the swine; the swine would trample the pearls under their feet, and not the dogs. It may be thus expressed: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, Lest they (that is, the swine) trample them under their feet, And turn again (that is, the dogs) and rend you.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
That which is holy (τὸ ἅγιον) The holy thing, as of something commonly recognized as sacred. The reference is to the meat offered in sacrifice. The picture is that of a priest throwing a piece of flesh from the altar of burnt-offering to one of the numerous dogs which infest the streets of Eastern cities. Pearls before swine (μαργαρίτας ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων) Another picture of a rich man wantonly throwing handfuls of small pearls to swine. Swine in Palestine were at best but half-tamed, the hog being an unclean animal. The wild boar haunts the Jordan valley to this day. Small pearls, called by jewellers seed-pearls, would resemble the pease or maize on which the swine feed. They would rush upon them when scattered, and, discovering the cheat, would trample upon them and turn their tusks upon the man who scattered them. Turn (στραφέντες) The Rev. properly omits again. The word graphically pictures the quick, sharp turn of the boar. Rend (ῥήξωσιν) Lit., break; and well chosen to express the peculiar character of the wound made by the boar's tusk, which is not a cut, but a long tear or rip.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Here is another instance of that transposition, where of the two things proposed, the latter is first treated of. Give not - to dogs - lest turning they rend you: Cast not - to swine - lest they trample them under foot. Yet even then, when the beam is cast out of thine own eye, Give not - That is, talk not of the deep things of God to those whom you know to be wallowing in sin. neither declare the great things God hath done for your soul to the profane, furious, persecuting wretches. Talk not of perfection, for instance, to the former; not of your experience to the latter. But our Lord does in nowise forbid us to reprove, as occasion is, both the one and the other.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Give not that which is holy - Το αγιον, the holy or sacred thing; i.e. any thing, especially, of the sacrificial kind, which had been consecrated to God. The members of this sentence should be transposed thus: - Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, Lest they turn again and rend you: Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, Lest they trample them under their feet The propriety of this transposition is self-evident. There are many such transpositions as these, both in sacred and profane writers. The following is very remarkable: - "I am black but comely; "As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon." That is, "I am black as the tents of Kedar, "Comely as the curtains of Solomon." See many proofs of this sort of writing in Mr. Wakefield's Commentary. As a general meaning of this passage, we may just say: "The sacrament of the Lord's supper, and other holy ordinances which are only instituted for the genuine followers of Christ, are not to be dispensed to those who are continually returning like the snarling ill-natured dog to their easily predominant sins of rash judgment, barking at and tearing the characters of others by evil speaking, back biting and slandering; nor to him who, like the swine, is frequently returning to wallow in the mud of sensual gratifications and impurities."

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⁵ And [2532] when [3752] thou prayest [4336], thou shalt [2071] not [3756] be [2071] as [5618] the hypocrites [5273] are: for [3754] they love [5368] to pray [4336] standing [2476] in [1722] the synagogues [4864] and [2532] in [1722] the corners [1137] of the streets [4113], that [3704] they may [302] be seen [5316] of men [444]. Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], [3754] They have [568] their [846] reward [3408].
⁶ But [1161] thou [4771], when [3752] thou prayest [4336], enter [1525] into [1519] thy [4675] closet [5009], and [2532] when thou hast shut [2808] thy [4675] door [2374], pray [4336] to thy [4675] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] secret [2927]; and [2532] thy [4675] Father [3962] which [3588] seeth [991] in [1722] secret [2927] shall reward [591] thee [4671] openly [1722] [5318].
⁷ But [1161] when ye pray [4336], use [945] not [3361] vain repetitions [945], as [5618] the heathen [1482] do: for [1063] they think [1380] that [3754] they shall be heard [1522] for [1722] their [846] much speaking [4180].
⁸ Be [3666] not [3361] ye [3666] therefore [3767] like [3666] unto them [846]: for [1063] your [5216] Father [3962] knoweth [1492] what things [3739] ye have [2192] need of [5532], before [4253] ye [5209] ask [154] him [846].
⁹ After this manner [3779] therefore [3767] pray [4336] ye [5210]: Our [2257] Father [3962] which [3588] art in [1722] heaven [3772], Hallowed be [37] thy [4675] name [3686].
¹⁰ Thy [4675] kingdom [932] come [2064]. Thy [4675] will [2307] be done [1096] in [1909] earth [1093], as [2532] [5613] it is in [1722] heaven [3772].
¹¹ Give [1325] us [2254] this day [4594] our [2257] daily [1967] bread [740].
¹² And [2532] forgive [863] us [2254] our [2257] debts [3783], as [2532] [5613] we [2249] forgive [863] our [2257] debtors [3781].
¹³ And [2532] lead [1533] us [2248] not [3361] into [1519] temptation [3986], but [235] deliver [4506] us [2248] from [575] evil [4190]: For [3754] thine [4675] is [2076] the kingdom [932], and [2532] the power [1411], and [2532] the glory [1391], for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
¹⁴ For [1063] if [1437] ye forgive [863] men [444] their [846] trespasses [3900], your [5216] heavenly [3770] Father [3962] will also [2532] forgive [863] you [5213]:
¹⁵ But [1161] if [3362] ye forgive [863] not [3362] men [444] their [846] trespasses [3900], neither [3761] will your [5216] Father [3962] forgive [863] your [5216] trespasses [3900].

⁷ Ask [154], and [2532] it shall be given [1325] you [5213]; seek [2212], and [2532] ye shall find [2147]; knock [2925], and [2532] it shall be opened [455] unto you [5213]:
⁸ For [1063] every one [3956] that asketh [154] receiveth [2983]; and [2532] he that seeketh [2212] findeth [2147]; and [2532] to him that knocketh [2925] it shall be opened [455].
⁹ Or [2228] what [5101] man [444] is [2076] there of [1537] you [5216], whom [3739] if [1437] his [846] son [5207] ask [154] bread [740], will he give [3361] [1929] him [846] a stone [3037]?
¹⁰ Or [2532] if [1437] he ask [154] a fish [2486], will he give [3361] [1929] him [846] a serpent [3789]?
¹¹ If [1487] ye [5210] then [3767], being [5607] evil [4190], know [1492] how to give [1325] good [18] gifts [1390] unto your [5216] children [5043], how much [4214] more [3123] shall your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772] give [1325] good things [18] to them that ask [154] him [846]?

²² As a jewel [05141] of gold [02091] in a swine's [02386] snout [0639], so is a fair [03303] woman [0802] which is without [05493] discretion [02940].

²² But [1161] it is happened [4819] unto them [846] according to [3588] the true [227] proverb [3942], The dog [2965] is turned [1994] to [1909] his own [2398] vomit [1829] again [1994]; and [2532] the sow [5300] that was washed [3068] to [1519] her wallowing [2946] in the mire [1004].

¹⁵ For [1161] without [1854] are dogs [2965], and [2532] sorcerers [5333], and [2532] whoremongers [4205], and [2532] murderers [5406], and [2532] idolaters [1496], and [2532] whosoever [3956] loveth [5368] and [2532] maketh [4160] a lie [5579].

² Beware [991] of dogs [2965], beware [991] of evil [2556] workers [2040], beware [991] of the concision [2699].

⁴⁵ Again [3825], the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772] is [2076] like [3664] unto a merchant [1713] man [444], seeking [2212] goodly [2570] pearls [3135]:

¹² The merchandise [1117] of gold [5557], and [2532] silver [696], and [2532] precious [5093] stones [3037], and [2532] of pearls [3135], and [2532] fine linen [1040], and [2532] purple [4209], and [2532] silk [4596], and [2532] scarlet [2847], and [2532] all [3956] thyine [2367] wood [3586], and [2532] all manner [3956] vessels [4632] of ivory [1661], and [2532] all manner [3956] vessels [4632] of [1537] most precious [5093] wood [3586], and [2532] of brass [5475], and [2532] iron [4604], and [2532] marble [3139],
¹³ And [2532] cinnamon [2792], and [2532] odours [2368], and [2532] ointments [3464], and [2532] frankincense [3030], and [2532] wine [3631], and [2532] oil [1637], and [2532] fine flour [4585], and [2532] wheat [4621], and [2532] beasts [2934], and [2532] sheep [4263], and [2532] horses [2462], and [2532] chariots [4480], and [2532] slaves [4983], and [2532] souls [5590] of men [444].
¹⁴ And [2532] the fruits [3703] that thy [4675] soul [5590] lusted after [1939] are departed [565] from [575] thee [4675], and [2532] all things [3956] which [3588] were dainty [3045] and [2532] goodly [2986] are departed [565] from [575] thee [4675], and [2532] thou shalt find [2147] them [846] no more [3765] at all [3364].
¹⁵ The merchants [1713] of these things [5130], which [3588] were made rich [4147] by [575] her [846], shall stand [2476] afar [3113] off [575] for [1223] the fear [5401] of her [846] torment [929], weeping [2799] and [2532] wailing [3996],
¹⁶ And [2532] saying [3004], Alas [3759], alas [3759], that great [3173] city [4172], that was clothed in [4016] fine linen [1039], and [2532] purple [4210], and [2532] scarlet [2847], and [2532] decked [5558] with [1722] gold [5557], and [2532] precious [5093] stones [3037], and [2532] pearls [3135]!

⁴ And [2532] the woman [1135] was [2258] arrayed [4016] in purple [4209] and [2532] scarlet colour [2847], and [2532] decked [5558] with gold [5557] and [2532] precious [5093] stones [3037] and [2532] pearls [3135], having [2192] a golden [5552] cup [4221] in [1722] her [846] hand [5495] full of [1073] abominations [946] and [2532] filthiness [168] of her [846] fornication [4202]: