this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2023
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Pigs

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Why were pigs chosen to be the main negative subject of the common pearls before swine quote that another way of saying not to give important stuff to people who won't cherish it?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Because pigs were unclean in the Jewish faith, which is where this phrase originated.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

It comes from the new testament... Which is not part of Judaism

Matthew 7:6

So it is Christian.

Pigs being unclean in that part of the world goes back to when it was controlled by Egypt.

Pigs could not be used to pay taxes/tribute to Egypt as cattle could. Pigs became to be seen as something only consumed by the poor as they had no value. From there Judaism, early Christianity (which was dropped when it became the roman state religion) and Islam all looked down on the consumption of pork.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Exactly which religion and culture do you think Jesus and his audience were a part of in this verse of Matthew 7:6?

[–] jopepa 0 points 11 months ago

Impossible to know but they probably look and vote just like me.

[–] stochasticity 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] mossy_ 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yes, one that's affiliated with pearls https://m.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Grumpig_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

edit: link didn't include necessary close-parenthesis

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I've always been told it's because the hogs will eat the pearls instead of valuing them.