Chaff
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Four different words have been translated 'chaff' in the Old Testament, referring to light husks and fine particles of straw separated from grain during winnowing.
What is the meaning of Chaff in the Bible?
Four different words have been translated 'chaff' in the Old Testament, referring to light husks and fine particles of straw separated from grain during winnowing.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical properties of chaff as weightless debris easily scattered by wind clarifies the biblical imagery used to describe the transient nature of the wicked and their ultimate removal from the community of the righteous.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Chaff in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Chaff clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.