Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Rust
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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rust ( חלאה , ḥel'āh ; βρῶσις , brṓsis ): Strictly speaking rust is the red oxide of iron formed by the corrosion of that metal, but by extension it has come to mean corrosion produced on any metal. Ḥel'āh is translated "rust" in Ezekiel 24:11 , Ezekiel 24:12 . This rendering is probably based on Ezekiel 24:11 . Copper caldrons are still used in Bible lands. Such vessels must be constantly watched when on the fire to guard against the possibility of their becoming dry. If this should happen the contents, whatever they may be, and the vessel itself will be injured. The copper of the caldron oxidizes and scales off in black or brownish scales, or rust. ἰός , iós , was used in Greek to denote the corroding of metals. In James 5:3 occurs, "Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust ... shall eat your flesh as fire." The writers must have had in mind the actions of chemicals upon these metals which formed some such compound as the caustic silver nitrate.
Brōsis , literally, "eating," which occurs in Matthew 6:19 , Matthew 6:20 , may refer to the diseases which attack such vegetation as wheat, grapes, cucumbers, etc. In no country is the saying "where moth and rust consume" (Matthew 6:19 ) more true than in Syria. Any metal subject to corrosion seems to rust faster in that country than anywhere else. 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 .
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Rust'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/r/rust.html. 1915.
