Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "foam" is used metaphorically to describe instability, chaos, and the fruitlessness of ungodly pursuits. The imagery of foam is employed to convey the transient and insubstantial nature of certain behaviors and conditions, often in a negative context.
Old Testament ReferencesWhile the Old Testament does not explicitly mention "foam," the imagery of turbulent waters is prevalent. For example, in
Isaiah 57:20 , the wicked are compared to the restless sea, which "cannot be still, whose waters cast up mire and mud." This imagery aligns with the concept of foam, as it suggests agitation and impurity, characteristics often associated with the wicked.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament provides a more direct reference to foam in the Epistle of Jude.
Jude 1:13 describes false teachers as "wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever." Here, foam is used to illustrate the chaotic and shameful nature of those who lead others astray. The metaphor of "wild waves" emphasizes their lack of stability and the destructive consequences of their actions.
Symbolism and InterpretationFoam, by its very nature, is ephemeral and lacks substance. It is created by agitation and quickly dissipates, leaving no lasting impact. In biblical symbolism, this characteristic is used to highlight the futility and emptiness of a life lived apart from God. The imagery of foam serves as a warning against the pursuit of worldly desires and the teachings of false prophets, which may appear impressive or alluring but ultimately lead to nothing of eternal value.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the use of foam as a metaphor underscores the importance of building one's life on a solid foundation, as opposed to the shifting and unstable nature of sin and false doctrine. In
Matthew 7:24-27 , Jesus contrasts the wise man who builds his house on the rock with the foolish man who builds on sand. While foam is not mentioned directly, the underlying principle is similar: only a life grounded in the truth of God's Word will withstand the trials and temptations of this world.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the imagery of foam serves as a reminder to remain vigilant against the allure of teachings and lifestyles that promise much but deliver little. It encourages Christians to seek substance and depth in their spiritual lives, focusing on the eternal truths of Scripture rather than the fleeting pleasures of the world. By doing so, they can avoid the fate of those described in Jude, who are ultimately led to destruction by their own shameful actions.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Hosea 10:7), the rendering of ketseph, which properly means twigs or splinters (as rendered in the LXX. and marg. R.V.). The expression in Hosea may therefore be read, "as a chip on the face of the water," denoting the helplessness of the piece of wood as compared with the irresistable current.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The white substance, consisting of an aggregation of bubbles, which is formed on the surface of liquids, or in the mouth of an animal, by violent agitation or fermentation; froth; spume; scum; as, the foam of the sea.
2. (n.) To gather foam; to froth; as, the billows foam.
3. (n.) To form foam, or become filled with foam; -- said of a steam boiler when the water is unduly agitated and frothy, as because of chemical action.
4. (v.t.) To cause to foam; as, to foam the goblet; also (with out), to throw out with rage or violence, as foam.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FOAMfom (qetseph (Hosea 10:7); aphros (Luke 9:39), aphrizo (Mark 9:18, 20), epaphrizo (Jude 1:13)):
Qetseph from qatsaph, "to break to pieces," or "to break forth into anger," "to be angry," occurs often in the sense of "wrath" or "anger" (e.g.Numbers 1:53Psalm 38:1, etc.), and in this passage has been rendered "twigs" or "chips," "As for Samaria, her king is cut off, as foam (the Revised Version, margin "twigs") upon the water" (Hosea 10:7). The other references are from the New Testament. In Jude, evil-doers or false teachers are compared to the "wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame." In Mark and Luke the references are to the boy with a dumb spirit who foamed at the mouth.
Alfred Ely Day
Greek
1890. epaphrizo -- tofoam up... to
foam up. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epaphrizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-af-rid'-zo) Short Definition: I
foam out Definition: I
foam out (a metaphor
...875. aphrizo -- tofoam at the mouth
... tofoam at the mouth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aphrizo Phonetic Spelling:
(af-rid'-zo) Short Definition: Ifoam at the mouth Definition: Ifoam (at...
876. aphros --foam
... aphros. 877 .foam. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: aphros Phonetic
Spelling: (af-ros') Short Definition:foam, froth Definition:foam, froth...
Strong's Hebrew
2560a. chamar -- to ferment, boil orfoam up... 2560, 2560a. chamar. 2560b . to ferment, boil or
foam up. Transliteration:
chamar Short Definition: troubled. Word Origin a prim.
...2560. chamar -- to ferment, boil orfoam up
... chamar. 2560a . to ferment, boil orfoam up. Transliteration: chamar Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-mar') Short Definition: daub. daub, befoul, be red, trouble...
7110. qetseph -- wrath
... 7109, 7110. qetseph. 7110a . wrath. Transliteration: qetseph Phonetic Spelling:
(keh'-tsef) Short Definition:foam.foam, indignation, sore, wrath...
2194. zaam -- to be indignant
... A primitive root; properly, tofoam at the mouth, ie To be enraged -- abhor, abominable,
(be) angry, defy, (have) indignation. 2193, 2194. zaam. 2195 ....
Library
As theFoam Upon Water
... Chapter XX AS THEFOAM UPON WATER. The madness on Jerusalem poured like an overwhelming
flood into the cavern under the ruin of the Herodian palaces....
The Sands of Dee
... go and call the cattle home, And call the cattle home, And call the cattle home
Across the sands of Dee;' The western wind was wild and dank withfoam, And all...
Through the Red Sea
... From his superior height, Kenkenes saw, over the heads of the immense concourse,
two lines offoam riding like the wind across the sea-bed toward each other....
All that is White
... The snow where no foot has trod". All white is thefoam on the fountains.... Where only
the angels go? Than thefoam where the wild bright fountains....
Andromeda
... Onward they came in their joy, and before them the roll of the surges Sank, as the
breeze sank dead, into smooth greenfoam-flecked marble, Awed; and the crags...
On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... And they say that this bird is so much pleased withfoam, that if one should
holdfoam in his hand as he sails, it will sit upon his hand....
The City and River of God
... There you can hear the wild waves dashing round the base of the firm hills, sapping
their strength, and toppling their crests down in the bubbling, yeastyfoam...
'Fruit which is Death'
... present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed
of his own counsel.7. As for Samaria, her king is cut off as thefoam upon the...
On the Glory of Martyrdom.
... water again and again beats upon it, yet its immoveable strength abides firm, and
does not yield even when covered over by the waves thatfoam around, until...
These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the...
... believed. Venus also, whom they call Aphrodite, was born, they believe,
of thefoam of the sea, as her compounded name shews. They...
Thesaurus
Foam (5 Occurrences)... bubbles, which is formed on the surface of liquids, or in the mouth of an animal,
by violent agitation or fermentation; froth; spume; scum; as, the
foam of the
...Yeast (48 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Thefoam, or troth (top yeast), or the sediment (bottom yeast), of beer
or other in fermentation, which contains the yeast plant or its spores, and...
Foal (10 Occurrences)
Captivity (141 Occurrences)
... "Like the dew on the mountain, Like thefoam on the river, Like the bubble on
the fountain, They are gone, and for ever.". (2.) Of Judah....
Whiten (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To grow white; to turn or become white or whiter; as, the hair whitens with
age; the sea whitens withfoam; the trees in spring whiten with blossoms....
Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)
... It convulses him, and makes himfoam at the mouth, and does not leave him
till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises. (WEY)....
Insignificant (9 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 24:18 "They arefoam on the surface of the waters. Their portion
is cursed in the earth. They don't turn into the way of the vineyards. (See NAS)...
Foamed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofFoam. Multi-Version Concordance
Foamed (1 Occurrence). Psalms 75:8 For a cup 'is' in the...
Treader (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Treader (5 Occurrences). Job 24:18 "They arefoam on
the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth....
Breaker (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A small water cask. 4. (n.) A wave breaking intofoam against the shore,
or against a sand bank, or a rock or reef near the surface....
Resources
What are the Christian themes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be still and know that I am God? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Semiramis? | GotQuestions.orgFoam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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