So @civic--defying the grammar and believe Jesus called her a dog-how's that working for ya?
kynarion. This diminutive of kyon means "house dog" and is probably chosen by Jesus in Mar_7:27; Mat_25:26 to show that there is a distinction between Jews and Gentiles but still to give the Gentiles a place in the house. The woman in her reply accepts the distinction but in so doing takes the place that is offered and finds the help she seeks.
[O. MICHEL]
dogs. or, puppies, or little household dogs; this is true only of such. Dogs are not cared for (in the East) when grown. The Lord used the Figure
Hypocatastasis, implying that she was only a Gentile, and thus had still no claim even on that ground. Gentiles were known as "dogs" by the Jews, and despised as such (+Mat_7:6, 1Sa_17:43, 2Sa_3:8; 2Sa_9:8, 2Ki_8:13, Php_3:2) [CB]. *FS103, +Gen_3:13, FS111, +Gen_18:27, Note: Tois kunariois, "to the little dogs," lap dogs, etc. the diminutive of kuon, "a dog." The Jews, while they boasted of being the children of God, gave the name of "dogs" to the heathen, for their idolatry, etc. +*Mat_7:6, 2Sa_3:8; 2Sa_9:8, Psa_22:16, Pro_26:11, *Isa_56:3, Joh_4:42, Rev_22:15.
Mat 15:26 The G3588 t_ Nom Sg m ho ο T1 Art-NMS - Yet G1161 Conj de δε T2 Conj And Answering G611 G5679 vp Aor pasD Nom Sg m apokritheis αποκριθεισ T3 V-APP-NMS answering, He-said G2036 G5627 vi 2Aor Act 3 Sg eipen ειπεν T4 V-AIA-3S He said, Not G3756 Part Neg ouk ουκ T5 Adv Not It-is G2076 G5748 vi Pres vxx 3 Sg estin εστιν T6 - - Ideal G2570 a_ Nom Sg n kalon καλον T7 Adj-NNS right to-be-taking G2983 G5629 vn 2Aor Act labein λαβειν T8 V-ANA to take The G3588 t_ Acc Sg m ton τον T9 Art-AMS the Bread G740 n_ Acc Sg m arton αρτον T10 N-AMS bread Of-the G3588 t_ Gen Pl n ton των T11 Art-GNP of the children G5043 n_ Gen Pl n teknon τεκνων T12 N-GNP children, And G2532 Conj kai και T13 Conj and To-be-casting G906 G5629 vn 2Aor Act balein βαλειν T14 V-ANA to cast [it] To-the G3588 t_ Dat Pl n tois τοισ T15 Art-DNP
to the puppies G2952 n_ Dat Pl n kunariois κυναριοισ T16 N-DNP dogs.
Mat 15:26 ¶ He replied, “It’s not right [Other mss. read lawful] to take the children’s bread and throw it to the puppies.”
Mat 15:26 oG3588 T-NSM deG1161 CONJ apokritheisG611 V-AOP-NSM eipenG3004 V-2AAI-3S oukG3756 PRT-N estinG1510 V-PAI-3S kalonG2570 A-NSN labeinG2983 V-2AAN tonG3588 T-ASM artonG740 N-ASM tOnG3588 T-GPN teknOnG5043 N-GPN kaiG2532 CONJ baleinG906 V-2AAN toisG3588 T-DPN
kunarioisG2952 N-DPN
κυνάριον
kunarion
koo-nar'-ee-on
Neuter of a presumed derivative of G2965; a puppy: - dog.
Thayer Definition:
1) a little dog
Part of Speech: noun neuter
κυνάριον
kunarion koo-nar’-ee-on
Part of Speech: {N-NSN}
MLV/Definition: puppies*
Supplement: (little dogs)
Etymology: {G2965 derivative?}
Greek Concordance: [4] Mat_15:26, Mat_15:27, Mar_7:27, Mar_7:28
KJV: dog 4 TR: 4
TDNT: 3:1104,494
Mat_15:26 "dogs" This is the only use of this term in the NT. Its harshness is diminished by the fact that it is diminutive in form, "puppies" (JB, "house-dogs"). The Jews called the Gentiles "dogs." This dialogue was intended to help the disciples overcome their prejudice against Gentiles. Jesus recognized and publicly affirmed that her faith was great (cf. Mat_15:28)!
Don't know what you are trying to accomplish-the diminituve form is used here, and here only. Kunariois and NOT kuón!
Mat 15:26 ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν ουκ εστιν καλον λαβειν τον αρτον των τεκνων και βαλειν τοις κυναριοις
Transliteration: kynariois
Morphology: N-DNP
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's no.: G2952 (κυνάριον)
Meaning: A little dog, a house dog.
Don't follow me around Civic.
Greek Analysis:
κύων (kyn) – "dog" (in its general sense, referring to an animal considered unclean and often used metaphorically for those outside the covenant).
κυναρίοις (kynariois) – "little dogs" or "puppies" (a diminutive form that softens the harshness of κύων and might imply a smaller, less threatening type of dog, often thought of in a domestic context).
Cultural Context:
In the first-century Jewish context, dogs were typically seen as unclean animals, associated with impurity, and often used as metaphors for Gentiles or those who were outside the Jewish faith. The word κύων (dog) was therefore a derogatory term used for Gentiles in certain contexts (cf. Philippians 3:2). However, in Matthew 15:26, the use of κυναρίοις (puppies) changes the tone, making the metaphor less harsh.
Jesus is not calling the woman a "dog" in the same way one might refer to an outsider or enemy, but rather using the diminutive to indicate a gentler distinction between Jews (the "children" in the passage) and Gentiles (the "little dogs").
Theological Implication:
While κυναρίοις is the diminutive, it still carries the implication of a certain distance between the children (Israel) and the "little dogs" (Gentiles). However, the woman's humble and persistent faith leads Jesus to commend her and grant her request (Matthew 15:28), showing that even those outside the initial covenant (the "little dogs") are included in God's mercy.
Conclusion:
In Matthew 15:26, the use of κυναρίοις rather than the more general κύων reflects a softer, less harsh attitude toward the Gentiles. It serves to make the distinction between Israel and the nations but is not as derogatory as calling someone a "dog" outright. This demonstrates the inclusivity of Jesus' mission, as His response ultimately affirms the woman's faith and opens the door for Gentiles to receive God's blessings.
For further studies on the Greek text and this passage,
you might consult sources like The Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) or A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament by Dana and Mantey.
You claim to know Koine Greek-see for yourself but if you feel OK with the idea Jesus called her a DOG-well, that's your reading of the verse, not mine @civic.
I'm trying to avoid you since I know where this is going to end.
J.
