Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Dung, commonly referred to as manure or excrement, is mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing waste, uncleanness, or judgment. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, dung had practical uses as fertilizer, but it also carried connotations of impurity and was used metaphorically to convey disdain or divine judgment.Old Testament References 1. Fertilizer and Fuel: In the ancient Near East, dung was used as a fertilizer to enrich the soil and as a fuel source for cooking. Ezekiel 4:12-15 provides an example where God instructs Ezekiel to bake bread using human dung as fuel, symbolizing the defilement of Israel. However, upon Ezekiel's protest, God allows him to use cow dung instead, highlighting the cultural practice of using animal dung for fuel. 2. Symbol of Judgment and Disgrace: Dung is often used in the Old Testament as a symbol of judgment and disgrace. In Malachi 2:3, God warns the priests, "Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the dung of your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it." This vivid imagery underscores the severity of God's displeasure with the priests' corrupt practices. 3. Uncleanliness: Dung is associated with uncleanness in the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 23:12-14 instructs the Israelites to designate a place outside the camp to relieve themselves and to cover their excrement, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and holiness in the camp where God dwells. New Testament References While the New Testament does not frequently mention dung, it does use the concept metaphorically. In Philippians 3:8, the Apostle Paul uses the Greek word "skubalon," often translated as "dung" or "rubbish," to describe all things he once valued compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This reflects the idea that worldly achievements and status are worthless compared to the spiritual riches found in Christ. Cultural and Theological Significance In biblical times, dung was a part of daily life, yet it also served as a powerful symbol in Scripture. Its use in metaphors and prophetic imagery underscores themes of purity, judgment, and the transient nature of earthly things. The biblical portrayal of dung reminds believers of the importance of spiritual cleanliness and the futility of worldly pursuits when compared to the eternal value of a relationship with God. Smith's Bible Dictionary DungThe uses of dung were two-fold --as manure and as fuel. The manure consisted either of straw steeped in liquid manure, (Isaiah 25:10) or the sweepings, (Isaiah 5:25) of the streets and roads, which were carefully removed from about the houses, and collected in heaps outside the walls of the towns at fixed spots --hence the dung-gate at Jerusalem --and thence removed in due course to the fields. The difficulty of procuring fuel in Syria, Arabia and Egypt has made dung in all ages valuable as a substitute. It was probably used for heating ovens and for baking cakes, (Ezra 4:12,15) the equable heat which it produced adapting it pecularily for the latter operation. Cow's and camels dung is still used for a similar purpose by the Bedouins. ATS Bible Dictionary DungAmong the Israelites, the dung of animals was used only for manure, but, when dried, for fuel. In districts where wood is scarce, the inhabitants are very careful in collecting the dung of camels and asses; it is mixed with chopped straw, and dried. It is not unusual to see a whole village with portions of this material adhering to the walls of the cottages to dry; and towards the end of autumn it is piled in conical heaps or stacks on the roof. It is employed in heating ovens, and for other similar purposes, Ezekiel 4:12-16. The use of dung for manure is intimated in Isaiah 25:10. Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Used as manure (Luke 13:8); collected outside the city walls (Nehemiah 2:13). Of sacrifices, burned outside the camp (Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11; 8:17; Numbers 19:5). To be "cast out as dung," a figurative expression (1 Kings 14:10; 2 Kings 9:37; Jeremiah 8:2; Psalm 18:42), meaning to be rejected as unprofitable. (2.) Used as fuel, a substitute for firewood, which was with difficulty procured in Syria, Arabia, and Egypt (Ezek. 4:12-15), where cows' and camels' dung is used to the present day for this purpose. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. p.) of Ding.2. (n.) The excrement of an animal. 3. (v. t.) To manure with dung. 4. (v. t.) To immerse or steep, as calico, in a bath of hot water containing cow dung; -- done to remove the superfluous mordant. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DUNG; DUNG GATEdung ('ashpoth, domen, peresh; skubalon, etc.): Nine different words occurring in the Hebrew have been translated "dung" in the Old Testament. The word used to designate one of the gates of Jerusalem ('ashpoth, Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 3:14) is more general than the others and may mean any kind of refuse. The gate was probably so named because outside it was the general dump heap of the city. Visitors in recent years riding outside the city walls of Jerusalem, on their way to the Mt. of Olives or Jericho, may have witnessed such a dump against the wall, which has existed for generations. Greek 2874b. koprion -- dung ... koprion. 2875 . dung. Transliteration: koprion Short Definition: fertilizer. Word Origin from the same as kopria Definition dung NASB Word Usage fertilizer (1 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2874b.htm - 5k 4657. skubalon -- refuse 2874. kopria -- a dunghill 2874a. kopria -- a dunghill 954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan 906. ballo -- to throw, cast Strong's Hebrew 1561. gelel -- dunggelel or gel. 1560, 1561. gelel or gel. 1562 . dung. Transliteration: gelel or gel Phonetic Spelling: (gay'-lel) Short Definition: dung. ... /hebrew/1561.htm - 6k 1557. galal -- dung 6832. tsephua -- dung (of cattle) 2716. chere -- dung 1686. dibyonim -- probably dove's dung 1828. domen -- dung 2755. chare yonim -- doves' dung 4087. madmenah -- place of dung, dung pit 6627. tseah -- filth, human excrement 6569. peresh -- fecal matter Library Philippians iii. 10-Jul St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and ... Application of these Motives Ephesians iv. 17 The Vengeance of Rome Meditations for the Sick. "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds. " On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 6, Where we are Told of the ... Wesley Rides Twenty-Four Hundred Miles in Seven Months Idols Unprofitable. Thesaurus Dung (27 Occurrences)... Of sacrifices, burned outside the camp (Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11; 8:17; Numbers 19:5). To be "cast out as dung," a figurative expression (1 Kings 14:10; 2 ... /d/dung.htm - 20k Dung-gate (4 Occurrences) Dung-hill (3 Occurrences) Dung-hills (1 Occurrence) Dung-port (1 Occurrence) Dung-pit (1 Occurrence) Dunghill (8 Occurrences) Offal (6 Occurrences) Filth (21 Occurrences) Gate (248 Occurrences) Resources What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.org Dung: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Dung (27 Occurrences)Luke 13:8 Luke 14:35 Exodus 29:14 Leviticus 4:11 Leviticus 8:17 Leviticus 16:27 Numbers 19:5 1 Kings 14:10 2 Kings 6:25 2 Kings 9:37 2 Kings 18:27 Nehemiah 2:13 Nehemiah 3:13 Nehemiah 3:14 Nehemiah 12:31 Job 20:7 Psalms 83:10 Isaiah 36:12 Jeremiah 8:2 Jeremiah 9:22 Jeremiah 16:4 Jeremiah 25:33 Ezekiel 4:12 Ezekiel 4:15 Nahum 3:6 Zephaniah 1:17 Malachi 2:3 Subtopics Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) Strengthened (113 Occurrences) |
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