Dross
/dross/
Summary
The impurities and base metals separated from silver or gold during smelting, used figuratively for moral and spiritual worthlessness.
☩Refining Process
When silver ore is heated in a furnace, the impurities separate as scum or dross. The pure metal remains. This metallurgical process was well known in biblical times and provided a vivid illustration for spiritual purification and judgment.
Key verses:Proverbs 25:4Proverbs 26:23Ezekiel 22:18-22
☩Figurative Uses
Isaiah compared unfaithful Jerusalem to silver become dross—once pure but now debased. The psalmist declared that God puts away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Ezekiel described Israel as dross in the midst of the furnace, to be gathered and melted in God's fury. Yet the faithful love God's testimonies, counting all counterfeits as dross.
Key verses:Isaiah 1:22-25Psalm 119:119Ezekiel 22:18-19
Related Verses7 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dross," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Dross," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).