MAT 7:6 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Μή
2. mē
3. not
4. Don't don't
5. 33610
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. PS
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3628
1. δῶτε
2. didōmi
3. You all may give
4. give
5. 13250
6. VSAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ give
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ give
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3464
11. 3629
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3630
1. ἅγιον
2. hagios
3. holy thing
4. -
5. 400
6. S····ANS
7. holy ‹thing›
8. holy ‹thing›
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3631
1. τοῖς
2. ho
3. to the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMP
7. ˱to˲ the
8. ˱to˲ the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3632
1. κυσίν
2. kuōn
3. dogs
4. -
5. 29650
6. N····DMP
7. dogs
8. dogs
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; F3644; F3649; F3651; F3652
11. 3633
1. μηδέ
2. mēde
3. nor
4. -
5. 33660
6. C·······
7. nor
8. nor
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3634
1. βάλητε
2. ballō
3. may you all throw
4. throw
5. 9060
6. VSAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ throw
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ cast
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3464
11. 3635
1. τούς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3636
1. μαργαρίτας
2. margaritēs
3. pearls
4. pearls
5. 31350
6. N····AMP
7. pearls
8. pearls
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3637
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. of you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3464
11. 3638
1. ἔμπροσθεν
2. emprosthen
3. before
4. -
5. 17150
6. P·······
7. before
8. before
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3639
1. τῶν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3640
1. χοίρων
2. χoiros
3. pigs
4. -
5. 55190
6. N····GMP
7. pigs
8. pigs
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; F3644; F3649; F3651; F3652
11. 3641
1. μήποτε
2. mēpote
3. lest
4. -
5. 33790
6. C·······
7. lest
8. lest
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3642
1. καταπατήσωσιν
2. katapateō
3. -
4. -
5. 26620
6. VSAA3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ trample
8. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ trample
9. -
10. -
11. 3643
1. καταπατήσουσιν
2. katapateō
3. they will be trampling
4. trample
5. 26620
6. VIFA3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓will_be˒ trampling
8. ˱they˲ ˓will_be˒ trampling
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3633; R3641
11. 3644
1. αὐτούς
2. autos
3. them
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3AMP
7. them
8. them
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3645
1. ἐν
2. en
3. with
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. with
8. with
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3646
1. τοῖς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3647
1. ποσίν
2. pous
3. feet
4. -
5. 42280
6. N····DMP
7. feet
8. feet
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3648
1. αὐτῶν
2. autos
3. of them
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GMP
7. ˱of˲ them
8. ˱of˲ them
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3633; R3641
11. 3649
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 3650
1. στραφέντες
2. strefō
3. having been turned
4. -
5. 47620
6. VPAP·NMP
7. ˓having_been˒ turned
8. ˓having_been˒ turned
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3633; R3641
11. 3651
1. ῥήξωσιν
2. rhēssō
3. they may attack
4. attack
5. 44860
6. VSAA3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ attack
8. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ attack
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3633; R3641
11. 3652
1. ὑμᾶς
2. su
3. you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R3464
11. 3653

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

7:6a–d

Do not give dogs what is holy…and then turn and tear you to pieces: Before you translate 7:6a–d, there are two main issues to consider:

Issue 1: Interpretation issue

There are three ways to interpret the way that the clause and then turn and tear you to pieces (7:6d) is connected to the rest of the verse:

It is connected to 7:6a and refers to what dogs will do. The dogs will turn and tear you to pieces. According to this interpretation, the four clauses in 7:6 are arranged in a special order called a “chiasmus.” In this chiasmus, the first clause (7:6a) goes together with the last clause (7:6d), and the two middle clauses go together. For example:
^6aDon’t give holy things to dogs, ^6band don’t throw your pearls before pigs. ^6cPigs will only trample on them, ^6dand dogs will turn to attack you. (NCV) (GNT, CEV, NCV, and many commentaries)Some commentators that follow the interpretation that this verse is a chiasmus are Hagner, page 171; Morris, page 169, Osborne, page 260, Carson, page 185, Turner (2008), page 206, Davies and Allison, page 677, France (2007), page 277–278.
It is connected to 7:6b and refers to another thing that pigs will do. According to this interpretation, this verse is not a chiasmus. Swine/pigs will both trample the pearls (7:6c) and turn to attack you (7:6d). There is no description of what dogs will do. For example:
^6aDo not give dogs what is holy; ^6band do not throw your pearls before swine, ^6clest they trample them under foot ^6dand turn to attack you. (RSV) (RSV, NJB)
It, together with 7:6c, is connected to 7:6a–7:6b and refers to another thing that both dogs and swine/pigs will do. Dogs and swine will both trample pearls underfoot (7:6c) and turn and attack you (7:6d). For example:
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (NIV) (BSB, NIV, NET, GW, NLT, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentaries follow this interpretation. Another way to translate this verse is:

^6aDon’t give to dogs what belongs to God. ^6dThey will only turn and attack you. ^6bDon’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. ^6cThey will trample all over them. (CEV)

Issue 2: Metaphor

Verse 7:6 is a proverb-like saying using metaphors of dogs, pigs, and pearls. The “dogs” and “swine” refer to people. They probably refer to people who have rejected the gospel of Jesus. The phrase “what is holy” and the word “pearls” refer to the truths of the gospel of the kingdom.

One way to translate this verse is to put an explanation before the metaphors. For example:

Do not give what is holy to people who do not value the good news and even attack it. That would be like giving something holy to dogs or like throwing pearls to swine/pigs. If you do, the pigs will trample those things and the dogs will turn and attack you.

Some other ways to translate the metaphors are listed below.

7:6a

Do not give dogs what is holy;

¶ “Do not give^(plur) holy things to dogs,
¶ “Do not give what is holy to those who do not value the good news and even attack it. That would be like giving holy things to dogs
¶ “Do not give what belongs to God to people who act like wild dogs.

Do not give dogs what is holy: The word dogs is a metaphor. In this metaphor, certain people are compared to wild dogs. Like wild dogs attack other animals, certain people continually reject the message of the good news of the kingdom. They even attack those people who preach the good news.

Here the word dogs refers to wild or stray dogs. They are not dogs that people keep around their houses.

Here Jesus taught his disciples not to continue to teach the message of the good news to people who continue to reject and attack both the message and those who preach it.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
Do not give what is holy to dogs (GNT)
Don’t give holy things to dogs (NCV)
Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:
Do not give what is holy to people who act like wild dogs.
Do not give what is holy to people who reject it like wild dogs.
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
Do not continue to give/teach the holy message of the good news to people who reject it.
Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. (NLT96) If you follow this option, you may want to include a footnote that gives the literal words. Here is a sample footnote:
Literally: “Do not give what is holy to dogs.”

what is holy: The word holy means “dedicated to God.” The phrase what is holy represents the good news of the kingdom of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

what belongs to God (CEV)

holy things (NCV)

what is sacred (NIV)

7:6b

do not throw your pearls before swine.

nor throw/scatter your pearls to pigs.
and tossing your expensive beads in front of pigs.
Also, do not throw/give the valuable truths of God to people who act like pigs.

In Greek, 7:6b begins with a conjunction that indicates that another negative clause is coming. This conjunction can be translated as “nor,” “and” and “or.” For example:

Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw…

Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw… (NET)

Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw… (NRSV)

The BSB does not translate this conjunction, but connects 7:6a and b with a semi-colon (;).

do not throw your pearls before swine:

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. (CEV)
Change the metaphors to similes and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:
Do not give the valuable truths from God to people who do not value them. This is like throwing pearls to swine/pigs.
Translate without the metaphor. For example:
Do not give the valuable truths from God to people who do not value them. You may then want a footnote that gives the literal words:
Literally: “Do not throw your pearls to swinge/pigs.”

do not throw: The verb phrase do not throw implies carelessly throwing away something. The truths of the gospel are valuable like pearls. Jesus tells his followers not to carelessly share these truths with people who will not value them.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

Don’t give (NLT96)

Do not scatter/toss

Do not share

your pearls: The word pearls refers to round, stone-like beads about 5–10 millimeters (quarter to half an inch) across. Pearls are found in a kind of shellfish called an “oyster.” Pearls are often very beautiful, and good ones are very valuable. People wear them in necklaces and as other jewelry.

In this context, the word pearls is a metaphor. Pearls represent the good news of the kingdom of God. They are similar in that both are valuable. The word pearls corresponds to the phrase “what is holy” in 7:6a.

Here are some other ways to translate the word pearls:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
valuable jewels called pearls
expensive beads
precious/costly stones
Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:
the good news of the kingdom which is valuable like pearls
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
the good news of the kingdom

before swine: The word swine means “pigs.” It is a metaphor. In this metaphor, certain people are compared to pigs, also called swine. Like swine do not value pearls and so trample them, certain people do not value the message of the good news of the kingdom.

7:6c

If you do, they may trample them under their feet,

If you do that, the pigs will trample those things under their feet.
The pigs will step on them
Otherwise, they will not value those things.

If you do: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as If you do links two actions. The first action was “throwing pearls before swine” in 7:6b. The second action is “they…trample them under their feet” in 7:6c. The first action prevents the second action from happening. Jesus was saying that a person should not throw pearls in front of swine/pigs (7:6b) to prevent the pearls from being trampled underfoot (7:6c).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

lest (ESV)

otherwise (NET)

so that they do not

they: If you followed the recommended interpretation (1) in the note on 7:6a–d, the pronoun they refers to the pigs. In some languages, it will be good to make this explicit. For example:

Pigs will only trample on them (NCV)

trample them under their feet: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as trample them under their feet refers to purposely walking on something to crush it into the ground with your feet.

This clause continues the metaphor of 7:6b. Here are some other ways to translate this:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
trample them under their feet (NIV)
stomp them into the ground
walk/step on them
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
They will not value those things.

7:6d

and then turn and tear you to pieces.

And the dogs will turn and attack you.”
and the dogs will turn and bite you.”
And the people who act like dogs will turn and attack/mock you.”

As mentioned above, this clause refers to what the dogs (in 7:6a) will do. In some languages, it will be good to make this explicit. For example:

and dogs will turn to attack you (NCV)

and then turn and tear you to pieces: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as turn and tear you to pieces refers to cutting flesh with the teeth.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
turn and tear you to pieces (NIV)
and turn and bite you
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
and the people who act like dogs will turn and mock/disrespect you

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

μὴ δῶτε τὸ ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν, μηδὲ βάλητε τοὺς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων, μήποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς.

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή δῶτε τό ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν μηδέ βάλητε τούς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων μήποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτούς ἐν τοῖς ποσίν αὐτῶν καί στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς)

It is likely that Jesus speaks about dogs in the first and last clauses in this verse and about pigs in the middle two clauses. This was a poetic form in his culture. If your readers would not recognize this as poetry and misunderstand which animals Jesus is speaking about in the last two clauses, you could rearrange the clauses. Alternate translation: [You should not give the holy to the dogs. Otherwise, having turned, they will tear you to pieces. Nor should you throw your pearls in front of the pigs. Otherwise they will trample them under their feet]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

μὴ δῶτε τὸ ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν, μηδὲ βάλητε τοὺς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων, μήποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς

Here Jesus speaks of how his disciples should behave as if they were interacting with dogs, pearls, and pigs. See the chapter introduction for some possible interpretations of this figure of speech. You should express the idea in a way that allows for many interpretations. If it is necessary for you to indicate that Jesus is using a figure of speech here, you could introduce the verse with a form that usually introduces a saying or proverb. Alternate translation: [Think about what this means for your life: You should neither give the holy to the dogs, nor should you throw your pearls in front of the pigs. Otherwise they will trample them under their feet, and having turned, tear you to pieces]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

τὸ ἅγιον

Jesus is using the adjective holy as a noun to mean anything that is holy. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [holy things]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

τοῖς κυσίν

˱to˲_the dogs

A dog is an animal that is considered to be unclean and disgusting by Jews and many cultures of the Ancient Near East. It would be very improper to give the holy to this kind of animal. If dogs are unfamiliar to your culture and you have a different animal that is considered unclean and disgusting, you could use the name of this animal instead.

Note 5 topic: translate-unknown

τοὺς μαργαρίτας

The word pearls refers to beautiful and valuable mineral balls that people use as jewelry. If your readers would not be familiar with pearls, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: [jewelry] or [valuable beads]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

καταπατήσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς

˱they˲_˓will_be˒_trampling (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή δῶτε τό ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν μηδέ βάλητε τούς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων μήποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτούς ἐν τοῖς ποσίν αὐτῶν καί στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς)

Here, the phrases they will trample and they will tear could refer to: (1) how the pigs trample and the dogs tear. Alternate translation: [the pigs will trample them under their feet, and having turned, the dogs will tear you to pieces] (2) how the pigs and the gods will together trample and tear. Alternate translation: [the pigs and dogs together will trample them under their feet, and having turned, they will tear you to pieces]

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτοὺς

Here, the word them refers to the pearls. If this is not clear for your readers, you could refer directly to pearls. Alternate translation: [the pearls]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

στραφέντες

˓having_been˒_turned

Here, the phrase having turned indicates that the animals will stop paying attention to the holy things and pearls and start focusing on you. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [turning to face you] or [focusing on you instead]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MAT 7:6