Even The Dogs Came And Licked His Sores

Even The Dogs Came And Licked His Sores

In the Scriptures, particularly in Luke 16:21, dogs licking the sores of Lazarus symbolizes both his extreme suffering and a form of unintended compassion, as dog saliva was believed to have healing properties. This detail highlights the contrast between Lazarus’s destitution and the indifference of the rich man, emphasizing themes of compassion and social responsibility.

Luqas (Luke) 16

19 “But there was a certain rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and lived luxuriously every day.

20 And there was a certain beggar named El‛azar, being covered with sores, who was placed at his gate,”

21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Indeed, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “And it came to be that the beggar died, and was carried by the messengers to the bosom of Aḇraham. And the rich man also died and was buried.

23 “And while suffering tortures in She’ol, having lifted up his eyes, he saw Aḇraham far away, and El‛azar in his bosom.

24 “And crying out he said, ‘Father Aḇraham, have compassion on me, and send El‛azar to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.’

25 “But Aḇraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your life you received your good, and likewise El‛azar the evil, but now he is comforted and you are suffering.

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who wish to pass from here to you are unable, nor do those from there pass to us.’

27 “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,

28 for I have five brothers, let him warn them, lest they also come to this place of torture.’

29 Aḇraham said to him, ‘They have Mosheh and the prophets, let them hear them.’ ”

30 “And he said, ‘No, father Aḇraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they shall repent.’

31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Mosheh and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded even if one should rise from the dead.’ ”