περικᾰθᾰρ-μα G4027
offscouring, scum, refuse; filth wiped off or discarded
A noun meaning offscouring, refuse, or scum—something worthless that is wiped off and thrown away. In 1 Corinthians 4:13, Paul describes the apostles as 'the scum of the earth' in the world's eyes. The term can also denote a scapegoat or expiatory victim in some contexts. Paul embraces this low status, showing how apostolic ministry is despised by worldly standards while being honored by God.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Refuse, scum, or offscouring—what is worthless and cast away. Paul's self-description captures the world's contempt for apostles, who are treated as garbage to be discarded. The multilingual glosses ('scum,' 'basura,' 'déchet,' 'Kehricht') consistently emphasize worthlessness and disposal, highlighting the stark contrast between worldly evaluation and divine calling. 1×
AR["قَذارَةِ"]·ben["আবর্জনা"]·DE["Kehricht"]·EN["scum"]·FR["déchet"]·heb["פְּסֹלֶת"]·HI["कूड़ा"]·ID["sampah"]·IT["rifiuto"]·jav["reged"]·KO["쓰레기들"]·PT["lixo"]·RU["сор"]·ES["basura"]·SW["takataka"]·TR["süprüntüler"]·urd["کوڑے"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
περικᾰθᾰρ-μα, ατος, τό, expiation,LXX __II ={κάθαρμα}NT+2nd c.AD+