Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4300 Metals and minerals » 4324 dross
Impurities removed from molten metal during refining. In a spiritual sense, wicked people whom God removes in judgment, and also impurities in believers which are removed by discipline and trials.
God removes the wicked like dross
Psalm 119:119 See also Isaiah 30:28; Jeremiah 6:28-30; Ezekiel 22:19-22
Dross as a metaphor for impurity in God's people
Ezekiel 22:18 See also Isaiah 1:21-23; Ezekiel 24:11-13; Ezekiel 36:25; Amos 9:8-10; James 1:21
God purges the dross from his people
Isaiah 1:25-26 See also Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 25:4; Daniel 12:10; Malachi 3:2-3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:7
By the blood of Jesus Christ
Zechariah 13:1; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7
By the work of the Holy Spirit
Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 3:11-12 pp Luke 3:16-17
By testing and affliction
Psalm 66:10-12; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Zechariah 13:9
See also
3233 Holy Spirit & sanctification 4303 metals 4345 metalworkers 4351 refining 5321 furnace 5593 trial 5979 waste 6744 sanctification 7416 purification 8324 purity 8832 testing 9210 judgment, God's