Lexical Summary sig or sug: Dross, impurity Original Word: סִיג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dross Or cuwg (Ezek. 22:18) {soog}; from cuwg in the sense of refuse; scoria -- dross. see HEBREW cuwg NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sug Definition a moving back or away, dross NASB Translation dross (8), gone aside (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סִיג, שִׂיג noun [masculine] 1 a moving back or away; 2 dross (what is removed from metal); — absoluteסִיג Ezekiel 22:18 Qr (סוג Kt), שִׂיג 1 Kings 18:27 **omitted ᵐ5L, dittograph for שִׂיחַ Klo Bur. (שׂ for ס, but see below); plural סִיגִים (van d. H. סִגִּים) Isaiah 1:22 3t.; סִגִֿים Ezekiel 22:18 2t.; suffix סִיגָ֑יִךָ Isaiah 1:25; — 1 a moving back, away: שִׂיג לוֺ 1 Kings 18:27 there is a moving back to him = he has moved back, away (probably of temporary withdrawal, different from דֶּרֶךְ journey). 2 dross, usually of silver Proverbs 25:4 (מִכָּ֑סֶף), Proverbs 26:23 ׅ׳(כֶּסֶף ס, so (figurative of Israel) Isaiah 1:22 compare see 25, Ezekiel 22:18b (סִיגִים כֶּסֶף ᵑ0, בְּתוֺךְ ׳ס ׳כ ᵐ5 Co Berthol; — Co strike out ׳ס not so Berthol Toy), compare Ezekiel 22:18 a. 19; indefinite Psalm 119:119. Topical Lexicon Material and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East silver was commonly smelted in shallow crucibles over charcoal fires. As the metal liquefied, the lighter impurities floated to the surface in a foamy scum that the smith skimmed away. This waste product, the unwanted residue, is what Scripture calls סִיג. Visually impressive when first molten, it cooled into a dull, brittle crust—useful for nothing, destined to be discarded. That concrete image supplies the backdrop for every biblical use of the word. Biblical Occurrences and Context Psalm 119:119 employs the figure devotionally: “All the wicked on the earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies”. Proverbs 25:4 gives a practical proverb rooted in the craft: “Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel comes forth for the silversmith”. Proverbs 26:23 warns against deceptive charm: “Like silver dross glazed over earthenware are burning lips and a wicked heart.” Isaiah uses the term twice in his opening oracle. The prosperous yet rebellious city learns, “Your silver has become dross, your wine diluted with water” (Isaiah 1:22), followed by the promise, “I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross” (Isaiah 1:25). Ezekiel compounds the image in his furnace vision (Ezekiel 22:18-19), where house, city, and people alike have become “the dross of silver,” warranting a refining fire of judgment. Imagery of Refining and Judgment Each passage contrasts what seems precious with what proves worthless. The smelter’s skimming mirrors the Lord’s moral evaluation: He weighs the heart, distinguishes genuine faith from empty profession, and removes the latter. Dross therefore signifies the mixture of corruption that clings to a covenant community when it adopts the values of the surrounding culture. The refiner’s fire is simultaneously punitive and purifying—designed not merely to punish but to recover true metal. Wisdom Literature and Personal Integrity Proverbs addresses leaders and individuals. To “remove the dross” (Proverbs 25:4) anticipates effective service; character purification precedes useful ministry. The analogy rebukes superficial piety (Proverbs 26:23), exposing eloquence without integrity as ornamental glaze hiding flawed pottery. Prophetic Call to Corporate Repentance Isaiah and Ezekiel broaden the metaphor to the nation. Silver that has “become dross” pictures Jerusalem’s compromised worship and unjust economy. Yet Isaiah 1:25 pairs threatened discipline with a pledge of restoration; the very act that scorches will also separate alloy from silver, leaving a purified remnant. Ezekiel 22 shows the same fire gathering the scattered exiles into a crucible—an ordeal intended to refine, not annihilate. Theological Implications 1. Divine Holiness: God’s nature demands the removal of impurity from His people. Ministerial and Discipleship Applications • Preaching: The imagery urges congregations to embrace sanctifying trials, interpreting hardship through the lens of divine refinement rather than random adversity. Summary סִיג paints a vivid picture of impurity destined to be skimmed away so that genuine worth may emerge. Whether addressing personal hypocrisy, national apostasy, or congregational complacency, Scripture’s eight uses of the term converge on one gracious reality: the Refiner’s fire is fierce, yet its goal is the radiant purity of God’s people. Forms and Transliterations לְסִ֑יג לְסִגִ֑ים לְסִיגִ֑ים לסגים לסיג לסיגים סִ֭יגִים סִגִ֗ים סִגִ֥ים סִיגִ֣ים סִיגָ֑יִךְ סגים סיגיך סיגים lə·si·ḡîm lə·sî·ḡîm lə·sîḡ leSig ləsîḡ lesiGim ləsiḡîm ləsîḡîm sî·ḡā·yiḵ si·ḡîm sî·ḡîm siGayich sîḡāyiḵ siGim siḡîm sîḡîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 119:119 HEB: סִגִ֗ים הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ כָל־ NAS: of the earth [like] dross; Therefore KJV: of the earth [like] dross: therefore I love INT: dross have removed all Proverbs 25:4 Proverbs 26:23 Isaiah 1:22 Isaiah 1:25 Ezekiel 22:18 Ezekiel 22:18 Ezekiel 22:19 8 Occurrences |
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