The dogs came and licked the sores covering Lazarus's body.
Lazarus was a very poor man, suffering from a severe skin condition that left his body covered with sores. He was often found lying at the gate of a rich man, hoping to receive even the smallest scraps of food that fell from the rich man's table. In this dire state, the dogs would approach him and perform the act of licking his painful sores.
Lazarus's Predicament
Lazarus's situation highlights a stark contrast in living conditions and the challenges faced by the poor in biblical times. His desperation was such that he desired merely the leftover fragments from another's meal.
- Poverty: Lazarus was described as "a very poor man."
- Physical Suffering: His body was "covered with sores."
- Location: He was "laid at the rich man's gate," signifying his dependence and the proximity of opulence he could not share.
- Desire: He longed for the "small pieces of food that fell from the rich man's table."
The Dogs' Interaction
Amidst his suffering, the dogs were the only ones who seemed to approach him and interact with his condition. Their action of licking his sores, while perhaps seen as a natural behavior for animals, underscores Lazarus's isolation and the lack of human care he received. It paints a vivid picture of his desperate circumstances and the raw, unadorned reality of his daily existence.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Lazarus's Condition | Very poor, body covered with sores |
| Lazarus's Location | Laid at the rich man's gate |
| Dogs' Specific Action | Came and licked his sores |
| Lazarus's Desire | To eat scraps from the rich man's table |
Later, after a life of hardship, Lazarus died. The narrative states that angels carried him to a place of comfort, often referred to as "the arms of Abraham," signifying a blessed afterlife, in contrast to the fate of the rich man who ignored his suffering.
