χοῖρος

swine

Definition

Χοῖρος (choiros) refers to a domesticated pig or swine, including both male and female animals. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the animal itself, with no extended metaphorical meanings. The word appears exclusively in the context of the famous story where Jesus casts demons into a herd of swine, which then rush into the sea (Matthew 8:30-32, Mark 5:11-13, Luke 8:32-33). It is also used in Jesus's teaching in Matthew 7:6, where he instructs not to give what is holy to 'dogs' or cast pearls before 'swine,' using the animal as a proverbial image for those who cannot appreciate sacred things.

Biblical Usage

This word is used 13 times in the New Testament, almost entirely within the Synoptic Gospels' parallel accounts of Jesus exorcising a demon (or demons) named Legion into a herd of swine. The sole exception is its proverbial use in Matthew 7:6. The usage is concrete and narrative, describing the actual animals involved in a dramatic event that highlights Jesus's authority over the spiritual realm.

Etymology

The word χοῖρος is of ancient Greek origin, simply meaning 'pig' or 'swine.' It is not a borrowed term and has no clear derivation from a more basic root within Greek. It was the standard, common noun for the animal in the Koine Greek of the New Testament period.

Semantic Range

Theologically, χοῖρος is significant because of its role in a key miracle demonstrating Jesus's absolute authority over unclean spirits (Mark 5:13). The choice of swine, animals considered ritually unclean under Jewish Law (Leviticus 11:7), adds a layer of cultural and religious tension to the story, emphasizing Jesus's power to confront and redefine boundaries of purity. Understanding this context enriches the reading of Matthew 7:6, where 'swine' symbolize those profoundly hostile or indifferent to spiritual value.

In the Jewish cultural context of the Gospels, swine were the quintessential 'unclean' animal (Leviticus 11:7). They were not raised for food by observant Jews and were often associated with Gentile populations. This makes the presence of a large herd in the region of the Gerasenes (a largely Gentile area) culturally coherent and highlights the dramatic, taboo nature of the miracle where the demons are sent into them.

There are no direct synonyms for the animal itself in the New Testament. The related concept of 'unclean animals' is covered by the adjective ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos, G169) — meaning 'unclean, impure,' which is used to describe the spirits themselves in this same story (e.g., Mark 5:13).

Word Details

Scripture References