Bible Dictionary
RUST
Rust is corrosion or decay affecting metal; Scripture also uses the image for material loss and the temporary nature of earthly treasure. Jesus and James employ it as a warning against hoarding wealth.
Definition
Rust is corrosion or decay affecting metal. By extension, the term may describe the damaging action of chemical corrosion and, in biblical imagery, the wasting or consuming of earthly possessions. The same imagery can also refer to damaging growths that attack crops.
Biblical Usage
Jesus warns that moth and rust consume earthly treasures. James says that the rust of hoarded gold and silver will testify against their possessors and consume them as fire.
Historical Background
Copper vessels in Bible lands could oxidize and scale when allowed to become dry over a fire. Corrosion was common, and rusting fungi also damaged crops.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>rust (chel'ah; brosis): 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. Chel'ah is translated "rust" in Eze 24:11,12. This rendering is probably based on 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. ios, was used in Greek to denote the corroding of metals. In Jas 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.</p><p>Brosis, literally, "eating," which occurs in Mt 6:19,20, 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" (Mt 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.</p><p>See also SCUM.</p><p>James A. Patch</p>