Chaff
“That which is driven away (by wind)”
Summary
The husks and broken straw separated from grain during winnowing, used as a powerful biblical symbol for the worthless and wicked.
☩The Winnowing Process
Chaff is the refuse of winnowed grain, consisting of husks and broken straw separated by the breeze when grain is tossed into the air. It was customary in the East to burn chaff after winnowing to prevent it from being blown back among the wheat by changing winds. The heavier grain falls back upon the pile, while the lighter chaff is dispersed by the wind. This agricultural process provided rich imagery for biblical writers.
☩Symbolic Usage
Chaff serves as a powerful emblem of the wicked and their destruction throughout Scripture. The ungodly are 'like the chaff which the wind driveth away.' John the Baptist declared that the Messiah would thoroughly purge his floor, gathering the wheat into his garner but burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. False doctrines are called chaff—unproductive and unable to abide the trial of God's word. God asks: 'What is the chaff to the wheat?'
Related Verses14 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Chaff," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Chaff," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Chaff," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Chaff," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).