Dust

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).

[Mourning]

DUST. "To shake off the dust of one's feet" against another, Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:51, was expressive of entire renunciation, because it conveyed the idea that "those against whom it was directed were so unworthy that it was defiling to one to allow so much as a particle of the soil to cleave to his garments." The custom is supposed to have been common among the Jews, when they had set a foot on heathen ground, to shake otf the dust, so as to carry nothing unclean or polluting into their own land. Dust thrown into the air, 2 Sam 16:13; Acts 22:23, was an expression of rage and threatening, while the very act probably increased the passionate hatred. "Dust and ashes" are coupled together as a phrase describing man's feebleness as contrasted with divine strength. Gen 18:27; Job 30:19. Dust, Rain of. Deut 28:24. In Judaea or its immediate vicinity are plains or deserts of fine sand, which when agitated by a violent wind makes most terrific and desolating storms. Eastern travellers describe them particularly, and think them much more dreadful than storms at sea. This fact affords us a striking illustration of the nature and horrors of the plague mentioned in Ex 8:16.

DUST. "To shake off the dust of one's feet" against another, Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:51, was expressive of entire renunciation, because it conveyed the idea that "those against whom it was directed were so unworthy that it was defiling to one to allow so much as a particle of the soil to cleave to his garments." The custom is supposed to have been common among the Jews, when they had set a foot on heathen ground, to shake otf the dust, so as to carry nothing unclean or polluting into their own land. Dust thrown into the air, 2 Sam 16:13; Acts 22:23, was an expression of rage and threatening, while the very act probably increased the passionate hatred. "Dust and ashes" are coupled together as a phrase describing man's feebleness as contrasted with divine strength. Gen 18:27; Job 30:19. Dust, Rain of. Deut 28:24. In Judaea or its immediate vicinity are plains or deserts of fine sand, which when agitated by a violent wind makes most terrific and desolating storms. Eastern travellers describe them particularly, and think them much more dreadful than storms at sea. This fact affords us a striking illustration of the nature and horrors of the plague mentioned in Ex 8:16.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Fine, dry particles of earth or other matter, so comminuted that they may be raised and wafted by the wind; that which is crumbled too minute portions; fine powder; as, clouds of dust; bone dust. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen. iii. 19. Stop! -- for thy tread is on an empire's dust. Byron.

2. A single particle of earth or other matter. [R.] "To touch a dust of England's ground." Shak.

3. The earth, as the resting place of the dead. For now shall sleep in the dust. Job vii. 21.

4. The earthy remains of bodies once alive; the remains of the human body. And you may carve a shrine about my dust. Tennyson.

5. Figuratively, a worthless thing. And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust. Shak.

6. Figuratively, a low or mean condition. [God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust. 1 Sam. ii. 8.

7. Gold dust; hence: (Slang)

8. Coined money; cash. Down with the dust, deposit the cash; pay down the money. [Slang] "My lord, quoth the king, presently deposit your hundred pounds in gold, or else no going hence all the days of your life. . . . The Abbot down with his dust, and glad he escaped so, returned to Reading." Fuller. -- Dust brand (Bot.), a fungous plant (Ustilago Carbo); -- called also smut. -- Gold dust, fine particles of gold, such as are obtained in placer mining; -- often used as money, being transferred by weight. -- In dust and ashes. See under Ashes. -- To bite the dust. See under Bite, v. t. -- To raise, or kick up, dust, to make a commotion. [Colloq.] -- To throw dust in one's eyes, to mislead; to deceive. [Colloq.]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To free from dust; to brush, wipe, or sweep away dust from; as, to dust a table or a floor.

2. To sprinkle with dust.

3. To reduce to a fine powder; to levigate. Sprat. To dyst one's jacket, to give one a flogging. [Slang.]