In the context of the Bible, the term "debris" is not explicitly mentioned in the text. However, the concept of debris can be understood through various narratives and descriptions of destruction, ruin, and the aftermath of divine judgment or human conflict. Debris, as understood in biblical times, would encompass the remnants of structures, cities, or objects left after significant events, often symbolizing the consequences of sin, disobedience, or divine intervention.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most vivid examples of destruction resulting in debris is the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:24-25 , it is recorded, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." The aftermath would have left a scene of utter devastation, with debris symbolizing the judgment of God upon wickedness.

2. The Fall of Jericho: In Joshua 6, the fall of Jericho is another instance where debris would have been a significant result. The walls of Jericho collapsed after the Israelites followed God's instructions, leading to the city's destruction. Joshua 6:20 states, "When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and when they heard the blast of the trumpet, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. So each man charged straight in, and they took the city." The debris of the fallen walls served as a testament to God's power and the fulfillment of His promises.

3. The Destruction of Jerusalem: The destruction of Jerusalem, particularly by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., left the city in ruins. Lamentations 1:1 poignantly describes the desolation: "How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has become a slave." The debris of Jerusalem's destruction was a physical manifestation of the spiritual and national consequences of Israel's disobedience.

4. Symbolic Use in Prophecy: Prophetic literature often uses imagery of destruction and debris to convey messages of judgment and hope. In Isaiah 64:10-11 , the prophet laments, "Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wasteland, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins." Here, debris symbolizes both the reality of judgment and the hope for restoration.

Theological Implications

Debris in the biblical narrative often serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It underscores the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate sovereignty of God over creation. The presence of debris in these accounts calls believers to reflect on the importance of obedience, repentance, and faithfulness to God's covenant.

Moreover, the imagery of debris and ruin is frequently juxtaposed with themes of restoration and renewal. The prophets speak of a time when God will rebuild and restore what has been destroyed, pointing to the hope of redemption and the coming of God's kingdom. This duality highlights the biblical message of judgment tempered with mercy and the promise of new beginnings through God's grace.1. (n.) Broken and detached fragments, taken collectively; especially, fragments detached from a rock or mountain, and piled up at the base.

2. (n.) Rubbish, especially such as results from the destruction of anything; remains; ruins.

6083. aphar -- dry earth, dust
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition dry earth, dust NASB Word Usage ashes
(2), debris (2), dirt (1), dry soil (1), dust (91), dusty (1), earth (5 ...
/hebrew/6083.htm - 6k

Machinations of the Enemies of Jesus.
... by three rows of columns, and covered by a ceiling of carved wood.[2] It commanded
the valley of Kedron, which was doubtless less covered with debris than it ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxii machinations of the.htm

Through the Red Sea
... Wet rocks entered the glow, lines of sea-weed, immense drifts of debris, the brink
of a ledge, the shadow before it, and then a sandy bottom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

The Fashionable Fallacy is that by Education we Can Give People ...
... save the fathers; in other words, that many millions of grown-up, sane, responsible
and self-supporting Europeans are to be treated as dirt or debris and swept ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 32 the fashionable fallacy.htm

'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces'
... from each man's hands, as he ate, and the picture before the imagination of the
ordinary reader is that of the Apostles' carefully collecting the debris of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/fragments or broken pieces.htm

Liii. Repentance Enjoined. Parable of the Barren Fig-Tree.
... It is significant that the Jewish people did, as a nation, perish and lie buried
under the falling walls of their cities, and the debris of their temple ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liii repentance enjoined parable of.htm

The Woman of Samaria.
... Travellers of all shades of theological opinion and of no theological opinion are
agreed that the deep well, now much choked with debris, lying twenty minutes ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/ix the woman of samaria.htm

On the Way to Thebes
... fallen architraves and broken colossi, and the sounds of his advance stirred the
rat, the huge spider, the snake and the hiding beast from the dark debris. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxi on the way.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... and his wife Priscilla, Acilius Rufinus, Acilius Quintianus, and Claudius Acilius
Valerius were found among the debris, so that there is no doubt as to the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... While they were rushing over the fallen walls of Jericho amidst the debris and the
dust, he might be unmolested; and then in the dead of night while they slept ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... While they were rushing over the fallen walls of Jericho, amidst the debris and
the dust, he might be unmolested; and then, in the dead of night, while they ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Debris (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Rubbish, especially such as results from the destruction of anything; remains;
ruins. Multi-Version Concordance Debris (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/debris.htm - 7k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... A portion of the South wall of Jerusalem, certainly late (5th century AD), was laid
on a foundation of small rubble resting on debris, accumulated over an ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... A portion of the South wall of Jerusalem, certainly late (5th century AD), was laid
on a foundation of small rubble resting on debris, accumulated over an ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... Probably one reason it only overflows today after periods of heavy rain is that
such enormous quantities of debris have now covered the original valley bed ...
/e/enrogel.htm - 15k

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... Probably one reason it only overflows today after periods of heavy rain is that
such enormous quantities of debris have now covered the original valley bed ...
/e/en-rogel.htm - 15k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... Some two-thirds of the total accumulated debris on the mound was ransacked, and
besides this, many hundreds of tombs, caves and other antiquarian remains in ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... The head of this bay has been largely filled in by the debris brought down by Wady
Kerak, and Wady Ben Hamid, and shoals very gradually down to the greatest ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

Deb'orah (10 Occurrences)
Deb'orah. Deborah, Deb'orah. Debris . Multi-Version Concordance Deb'orah (10
Occurrences). ... (DBY RSV). Deborah, Deb'orah. Debris . Reference Bible.
/d/deb'orah.htm - 9k

Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... In the time of the second settlement a rude stone wall was built around the town.
The debris of the two neolithic settlements is as much as 12 ft. ...
/c/canaan.htm - 64k

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)
... In the time of the second settlement a rude stone wall was built around the town.
The debris of the two neolithic settlements is as much as 12 ft. ...
/c/canaanites.htm - 55k

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Debris: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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