Dogs of Egypt

On the first Passover night, Yahweh promises that “against any of the sons of Israel a dog shall not sharpen his tongue, whether against man or beast” (Exodus 11:7).  By implication, dogs will be sharpening their tongues against the Egyptians.  Dogs are urban scavengers in the Bible, typically feeding on the corpses of slain people.  In Goshen, there will be no corpses to feed on; but Egypt will be a canine banquet.

Exodus 11:7 is the Bible’s first reference to dogs, and sets the pattern for later uses.  A number of times in 1-2 Kings, Yahweh threans to send the dogs to eat the slain members of a corrupt dynasty, a sign of utter destruction (1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; 21:19, 23-24, 38; 2 King s9:10, 36).  When Hazael calls himself a dog (2 Kings 8:13), it means that he regards himself as a scavenger, picking at bones, rather than a king.  And he will be a dog, sharpening his tongue against Israel.

All of these later references to dogs reach back to the Exodus.  The houses of Jeroboam, of Baasha, of Ahab – all are “Egyptian” houses against which the Lord sends the dogs of Egypt.

Thanks to Toby Sumpter and CJ Bowen for a discussion of this passage.