In biblical times, the concept of a "dump" as understood in modern terms did not exist. However, the Bible does reference places and practices that align with the idea of waste disposal and refuse management. These references provide insight into the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and surrounding regions.

Gehenna

One of the most notable references related to the concept of a dump is Gehenna. Gehenna, or the Valley of Hinnom, was located outside the walls of Jerusalem. Historically, it was associated with idolatrous practices, including child sacrifices to the god Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). By the time of the New Testament, Gehenna had become a symbol of judgment and eternal damnation, often translated as "hell" in English Bibles. It was thought to be a place where refuse and the bodies of criminals were burned, creating a vivid image of destruction and unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43-48).

Refuse and Uncleanliness

The Law of Moses contained specific instructions regarding cleanliness and the disposal of waste. Deuteronomy 23:12-14 instructs the Israelites to designate a place outside the camp for the disposal of human waste, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cleanliness and holiness in the camp because "the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you."

Symbolism of Refuse

In the prophetic literature, refuse and waste are often used symbolically to represent spiritual corruption and moral decay. For example, Isaiah 64:6 compares human righteousness to "filthy rags," illustrating the inadequacy of human efforts apart from divine grace. Similarly, the imagery of refuse is used to depict the worthlessness of idols and false gods (Isaiah 41:24).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of waste and refuse is used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:8, speaks of considering all things as "rubbish" compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. The Greek word used here, "skubalon," can be translated as "dung" or "refuse," underscoring the radical transformation of values that comes with faith in Christ.

Cultural Practices

While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of waste management practices, archaeological findings and historical records suggest that ancient cities had designated areas for refuse disposal. These areas were often located outside city walls to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of disease.

Conclusion

The biblical references to refuse, waste, and places like Gehenna serve as powerful symbols of judgment, purification, and the transformative power of God's grace. They reflect the broader biblical themes of holiness, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over sin and corruption.1. (n.) A thick, ill-shapen piece; a clumsy leaden counter used by boys in playing chuck farthing.

2. (n.) A dull, gloomy state of the mind; sadness; melancholy; low spirits; despondency; ill humor; -- now used only in the plural.

3. (v. t.) Absence of mind; revery.

4. (n.) A melancholy strain or tune in music; any tune.

5. (n.) An old kind of dance.

6. (v. t.) To knock heavily; to stump.

7. (v. t.) To put or throw down with more or less of violence; hence, to unload from a cart by tilting it; as, to dump sand, coal, etc.

8. (n.) A car or boat for dumping refuse, etc.

9. (n.) A ground or place for dumping ashes, refuse, etc.

10. (n.) That which is dumped.

11. (n.) A pile of ore or rock.

8210. shaphak -- to pour out, pour
... root Definition to pour out, pour NASB Word Usage cast (5), cast up a siege (1),
dump (1), gushed (1), pour (34), poured (26), pouring (1), pours (5), raise (1 ...
/hebrew/8210.htm - 6k

Foreign Exchange.
... Just leave it over on that dump heap there outside the gate, and come in yourself."
And the man comes in with a strangely stripped and bare feeling. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/foreign exchange.htm

But May not Images be Tolerated in the Churches, as Books to the ...
... No: for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have his people taught,
not by dump images, [275] but by the lively preaching of his word. [276]. ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 98 but may not.htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Present Degradation ...
... Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dump sing: for in
the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/vii the redeemers return is.htm

Christ's Prayer Answered.
... Under severe and protracted temptation the will snaps and yields, and the beautiful
life is a wreck and fit only for the dump of the Universe. ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter iv christs prayer answered.htm

Grace Abounding
... nor evil, the purpose of election still stood; while we were yet like clay in the
mass of creatureship, and God had power to make of the same dump a vessel to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/grace abounding.htm

Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of ...
... We carried off a huge load of pears, not to eat ourselves, but to dump out
to the hogs, after barely tasting some of them ourselves. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm

Dump (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (vt) To put or throw down with more or less of violence; hence, to unload from
a cart by tilting it; as, to dump sand, coal, etc. ...Dump (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dump.htm - 7k

Gate (248 Occurrences)
... any kind of refuse. The gate was probably so named because outside it
was the general dump heap of the city. Visitors in recent ...
/g/gate.htm - 63k

Dung (27 Occurrences)
... any kind of refuse. The gate was probably so named because outside it
was the general dump heap of the city. Visitors in recent ...
/d/dung.htm - 20k

Dumbfounded (1 Occurrence)

/d/dumbfounded.htm - 6k

Dumped (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Dump. Multi-Version Concordance
Dumped (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 14:41 and he shall cause ...
/d/dumped.htm - 6k

Architecture
... They lay claim to no particular "lay out" and, in all probability, they served as
space for the dump heaps of the town refuse or for the pen ning-up of cattle ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

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