Bible Dictionaries
Swine
Holman Bible Dictionary
Israelites were forbidden to eat swine (Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8 ). Swine were considered ceremonially unclean and were used as metaphors for uncleanness. (Proverbs 11:22; Matthew 7:6; 2 Peter 2:22 ). Mark 5:11-17 speaks of a large herd of swine in the Decapolis area where Jesus saw them as fit bearers of demons. Many ancient people ate swine and used swine for sacrifice to idols. See Animals .
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Swine'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/s/swine.html. 1991.