Sow
NatureWhat is the meaning of Sow in the Bible?
A sow is a female swine that has given birth, serving as a standard term for livestock in biblical agricultural contexts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the sow clarifies the dietary restrictions found in Levitical law and illuminates the cultural setting of Jesus' parables, such as the Prodigal Son, by highlighting the social and ritual boundaries surrounding pigs in ancient Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Sow were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sow in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sow clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sow." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sow/