The swine became fetish animals, leading to taboos on eating their flesh. [1] Do not cast pearls before swine; present not that which is holy to dogs. [2] Dogs drove thirty swine into the sea, believed to be carrying the evil spirits that tormented Amos before Jesus cured him. [3] The evil of eating pork, like the exposure of women during menstruation, stems from ancient taboos and beliefs. [4] Giant pigs, over six feet tall, went extinct during the Miocene era when the first deer arrived and North America was dominated by ruminants. [5] The prodigal son desired husks of the swine. [6]
See also: UB 61:1.9; UB 61:2.9.