Bible Dictionary
Dust
Dust consists of small particles of earth and is a biblical reminder of human frailty and mortality. Casting, sitting in, or sprinkling dust could express mourning, humiliation, abhorrence, or renunciation.
Definition
Dust consists of small particles of earth or dry ground. In Scripture it represents human frailty and mortality and can denote the grave. Dust also appears in actions expressing mourning, humiliation, execration, submission, or renunciation.
Biblical Usage
People cast dust on their heads in mourning, sat or lay in dust in affliction, and licked dust as a sign of submission. Shaking dust from the feet signified renunciation. Throwing dust expressed abhorrence, while dust could also symbolize an innumerable multitude.
Historical Background
In Judea, a sirocco could fill the air with sand and dust and drive it violently over the dry ground. Dust storms could be severe, and the biblical image of powder and dust instead of rain reflects drought conditions.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Storms of sand and dust sometimes overtake Eastern travellers. They are very dreadful, many perishing under them. Jehovah threatens to bring on the land of Israel, as a punishment for forsaking him, a rain of “powder and dust” (Deut. 28:24). To cast dust on the head was a sign of mourning (Josh. 7:6); and to sit in dust, of extreme affliction (Isa. 47:1). “Dust” is used to denote the grave (Job 7:21). “To shake off the dust from one’s feet” against another is to renounce all future intercourse with him (Matt. 10:14; Acts 13:51). To “lick the dust” is a sign of abject submission (Ps. 72:9); and to throw dust at one is a sign of abhorrence (2 Sam. 16:13; comp. Acts 22:23).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Mourning]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>dust (`aphar; koniortos, chous): Small particles of earth. The word has several figurative and symbolic meanings:</p><p>(1) Dust being the material out of which God is said to have formed man (Ge 2:7), it became a symbol of man's frailty (Ps 103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust"; compare Ge 18:27; Job 4:19, etc.), and of his mortality (Ge 3:19, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"; compare Job 34:15; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20; 12:7, etc.) Hence, it is used figuratively for the grave (Ps 22:15,29; 30:9; Da 12:2).</p><p>(2) Such actions as to lie in the dust, to lick the dust, to sprinkle dust on the head, are symbols expressive of deep humiliation, abasement or lamentation (e. g. Job 2:12; 42:6, Ps 72:9; Isa 2:10; 47:1; 49:23; La 2:10; 3:29; Eze 27:30; Mic 7:17; Re 18:19). Hence, such expressions as "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust," i.e. out of their state of lowliness (1Sa 2:8; Ps 113:7).</p><p>(3) Throwing dust was an act expressive of execration. Thus, Shimei "cursed" David and "threw stones at him, and cast dust," literally, "dusted (him) with dust" (2Sa 16:13). So the crowd which Paul addressed at Jerusalem manifested their wrath against him by tossing about their garments and casting dust into the air (Ac 22:23).</p><p>(4) Shaking the dust off one's feet against anyone (Mt 10:14; Mr 6:11; Lu 9:5; 10:11; Ac 13:51) is symbolic of renunciation, as we would say "washing one's hands of him," an intimation that all further intercourse was at an end. It was practiced by the Pharisees on passing from Gentileto Jewish soil, it being a rabbinical doctrine that the dust of a heathen land defiles.</p><p>(5) It is also used figuratively for an innumerable multitude (e. g. Ge 13:16; 28:14; Job 27:16; Ps 78:27).</p><p>(6) The expression "Yahweh will make the rain of thy land powder and dust" (De 28:24) means the dust in consequence of the drought shall fall down instead of rain on the dry ground. In Judea and vicinity during a sirocco, the air becomes filled with sand and dust, which are blown down by the wind with great violence.</p><p>D. Miall Edwards</p>