κυνάριον (kunarion)
kunarion
little dog
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kunarion translates literally as "little dog," but in first-century Jewish culture it carried a specific social weight. It was not a term for a beloved household pet, but rather a reference to stray animals or those kept outside the home. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, this word appears only in the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, highlighting the cultural tension of the moment.
Jesus initially responds to her plea by stating that his mission is focused on "the lost sheep of Israel." When she persists, he uses the metaphor of not taking the children's bread and throwing it to the kunarion. This distinction separates the covenant people from those outside it. The woman’s witty reply accepts the lowly status implied by the word but reclaims it with faith, asking for even the crumbs that fall from the master's table.
The theological significance lies in how Jesus uses this potentially derogatory term to test and ultimately validate her great faith. By granting her request, he demonstrates that the gospel extends beyond ethnic boundaries. The word serves as a stark reminder that divine mercy is not limited by human categories of inclusion or exclusion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kunarion refers to a small dog, specifically one kept outside the home rather than a cherished indoor pet. In the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, this term highlights the cultural boundary between Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus uses the metaphor of table scraps to describe how mercy might extend beyond the covenant people, testing the depth of her trust in His compassion.
Her response transforms a potentially insulting label into a declaration of faith. She does not argue against the distinction but accepts it, asking only for the grace that falls as crumbs. This moment reveals that divine love is not confined by human categories. Even those on the margins can find sustenance at God’s table through persistent belief.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dogs3×
- dogs.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κυνάρια2×
- κυναρίοις.¶1×
- κυναρίοις1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:26
But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Jesus uses this term to clarify that His primary mission was directed toward the lost sheep of Israel before extending to others.
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Matthew 15:27
But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
The woman accepts the metaphor of the little dog to show her humility and confidence that even a small portion of grace is sufficient.
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Mark 7:27
But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Mark records Jesus explaining that the children must be filled first, emphasizing the order of salvation history while acknowledging the dogs' right to crumbs.
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Mark 7:28
But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
The woman’s reply highlights that even those outside the immediate covenant can partake in the blessings intended for God's people.