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Dust symbolizes the idea that humans are part of Creation—that is, they are made by God. Dust thus reflects both the human being’s dignity (as having been made by God) and fragility. God forms the first human being, Adam, out of the dust, or earth, of the ground and then breathes life into his nostrils. In fact, “Adam” means “earth,” reflecting the close relationship between the human being and the substance from which he is made. After Adam eats fruit from the forbidden tree, God curses Adam with death, telling him “you are dust, and to dust you shall return”—a reminder that, dependent on God, the human being is susceptible to dissolution and death.
Dust Quotes in Genesis
The Genesis quotes below all refer to the symbol of Dust. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 3
Quotes
The LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Genesis LitChart as a printable PDF.
Dust Symbol Timeline in Genesis
The timeline below shows where the symbol Dust appears in Genesis. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...to bring forth plants from the ground, the LORD God forms a man from the dust of the ground. He breathes the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, causing him...
(full context)
Chapter 3
...serpent because it has done this. The serpent will crawl on its belly in the dust, and there will be “enmity” between the serpent and the woman’s offspring—her offspring “will strike...
(full context)
...be cursed, and he will bring forth food with much toil, eventually returning to the dust himself—“you are dust, / and to dust you shall return.”
(full context)
Chapter 13
...forever. What’s more, Abram’s offspring will become so numerous that they will be like the dust of the earth. Abram settles by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and builds an...
(full context)
