In biblical literature, the term "scum" is used metaphorically to describe impurity, corruption, and moral defilement. The imagery of scum is particularly vivid in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, where it serves as a symbol of the spiritual and moral decay of the people of Israel.

Ezekiel's Use of Scum

The most notable use of the term "scum" is found in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 24:6-12, the prophet uses the imagery of a cooking pot to convey God's judgment on Jerusalem. The city is likened to a pot whose contents have become corrupted and whose scum has not been removed. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows:

“Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now encrusted, whose scum has not come off! Empty it piece by piece; do not cast lots for its contents. For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. Therefore I have poured out My wrath on the bare rock, that it may not be covered.’”

In this passage, the "scum" represents the accumulated sins and impurities of Jerusalem. The pot, encrusted with scum, symbolizes the city's moral and spiritual corruption. The imagery suggests that just as scum rises to the surface and must be removed to purify the contents of a pot, so too must the sins of the people be addressed and cleansed.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The use of scum as a metaphor for sin and impurity underscores the seriousness with which God views moral and spiritual corruption. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for repentance and purification. The imagery of scum rising to the surface suggests that sin, though it may be hidden for a time, will eventually be exposed and must be dealt with.

Theologically, the concept of scum in Ezekiel highlights the holiness of God and His intolerance of sin. It reflects the biblical theme that God desires a pure and holy people, set apart for His purposes. The removal of scum, therefore, is not merely a physical act but a spiritual cleansing that aligns the people with God's standards of righteousness.

Application in Christian Life

For Christians, the imagery of scum can serve as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing spiritual purification. Just as a pot must be regularly cleaned to prevent the buildup of scum, believers are called to examine their lives and remove any impurities that hinder their relationship with God. This process of sanctification is central to the Christian life, as believers seek to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ.

In summary, the biblical use of the term "scum" provides a vivid illustration of the nature of sin and the necessity of divine judgment and purification. It calls believers to a life of repentance, holiness, and continual transformation in the image of God.1. (n.) The extraneous matter or impurities which rise to the surface of liquids in boiling or fermentation, or which form on the surface by other means; also, the scoria of metals in a molten state; dross.

2. (v.) refuse; recrement; anything vile or worthless.

3. (v. t.) To take the scum from; to clear off the impure matter from the surface of; to skim.

4. (v. t.) To sweep or range over the surface of.

5. (v. i.) To form a scum; to become covered with scum. Also used figuratively.

SCUM

skum (chel'ah; Septuagint ios, "poison" or "verdigris"; compare Plato Rep. 609a): The word is only found in Ezekiel 24:6, 11, 12, where the Revised Version (British and American) translates it "rust." The fact, however, that the caldron is of brass and therefore not liable to rust, and the astonishment expressed that the fire did not remove it (24:12), would seem to point to the preferability of the translation "scum," the residue of dirt adhering to the caldron from previous use.

4067. peripsema -- offscouring
... dirt, scum. From a comparative of peri and psao (to rub); something brushed all
around, ie Off-scrapings (figuratively, scum) -- offscouring. see GREEK peri. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4067.htm - 6k

4027. perikatharma -- that which is cleaned off, refuse
... 4027 ("rubbish") describes someone as "the filth of the world, representing 'the
most abject and despicable men' (Grimm-Thayer) -- the scum or rubbish of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4027.htm - 7k

2457. chelah -- rust
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition rust NASB Word Usage rust (5). scum.
From chala'; properly, disease; hence, rust -- scum. see HEBREW chala'. ...
/hebrew/2457.htm - 5k

2560. chamar -- to ferment, boil or foam up
... A primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment (with scum); to glow
(with redness); as denominative (from chemar) to smear with pitch -- daub, befoul ...
/hebrew/2560.htm - 5k

The Author's Concluding Address.
... angels chained in Tartarus as punishment for their sins; and you shall escape the
worm that ceaselessly coils for food around the body whose scum [1102] has ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxx the authors concluding address.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... Water in the glass looks clear, but set it on the fire, and the scum boils
up. In prosperity, a man seems to be humble and thankful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

That we Should Seek the Verdict of Our Conscience in Every ...
... before your eyes, and know yourself, so that you can be humbled and not try to avoid
being held as the lowest, vilest and most abject scum by everyone when you ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 14 that we should.htm

How Contempt of Himself Can be Produced in a Man, and How Useful ...
... God, and this will especially take place when without judgement, condemnation or
contempt of our neighbour, we choose rather to be considered as scum and a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 15 how contempt of.htm

Conclusion.
... him off apart from the rest of his fellow-men, but simply Jesus, the Galilean, gibbeted
on the gallows of his time, side by side with the scum of mankind. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter x conclusion.htm

Recommendation.
... themselves into everlasting flames, carrying, under the shape and visage of men,
as devils in disguise; the face of the church is covered with a scum of such ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/recommendation.htm

Speaks of Various Other Graces God Bestows on the Soul in ...
... Surely we should be ashamed of resenting anything done or said against us"we who
are the scum of the earth"when we see what outrages are offered to God our ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter x speaks of various.htm

The Insults Received by Jesus in the Court of Caiphas.
... No sooner did Caiphas, with the other members of the Council, leave the tribunal
than a crowd of miscreants"the very scum of the people"surrounded Jesus ...
/.../chapter ix the insults received.htm

Love that Can Hate
... is not. There are words of love which are like the iridescent scum on the
surface veiling the black depths of a pool of hatred. A ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/love that can hate.htm

The Second Chapter: God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man ...
... I despise myself and cast myself before You in the depths of my unworthiness.
Behold, You are the Holy of holies, and I the scum of sinners! ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the second chapter gods great.htm

Scum (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To take the scum from; to clear off the impure matter from the surface
of; to skim. ... 5. (vi) To form a scum; to become covered with scum. ...
/s/scum.htm - 8k

Mantle (35 Occurrences)
... 11. (vi) To spread out; -- said of wings. 12. (vi) To spread over the surface as
a covering; to overspread; as, the scum mantled on the pool. 13. ...
/m/mantle.htm - 21k

Lots (26 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:6 Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Wo 'to' the city of blood, A
pot whose scum 'is' in it, And its scum hath not come out of it, By piece of it ...
/l/lots.htm - 15k

Sorrows (37 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:12 With' sorrows she hath wearied herself, And the abundance of her
scum goeth not out of her, In the fire 'is' her scum. (YLT). ...
/s/sorrows.htm - 17k

Bloodshed (43 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:6 Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Wo 'to' the city of blood, A
pot whose scum 'is' in it, And its scum hath not come out of it, By piece of it ...
/b/bloodshed.htm - 19k

Scurvy (3 Occurrences)

/s/scurvy.htm - 8k

Pot (46 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ezekiel 24:6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city,
to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k

Foam (5 Occurrences)
... of bubbles, which is formed on the surface of liquids, or in the mouth of an animal,
by violent agitation or fermentation; froth; spume; scum; as, the foam of ...
/f/foam.htm - 9k

Rust (7 Occurrences)
... There are also many rusting fungi which the people have not learned to destroy and
which do much damage to the crops. See also SCUM. James A. Patch. ...
/r/rust.htm - 11k

Dross (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The scum or refuse matter which is thrown off, or falls from, metals
in smelting the ore, or in the process of melting; recrement. ...
/d/dross.htm - 9k

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