אֵפֶר

n.[m.] ashes (as light, flying?)—א׳ abs. Gn 18:27 +; cstr. Nu 19:9, 10—ashes of red heifer, used in purifications Nu 19:9, 10; on head, as sign of humiliation 2 S 13:19; contrition Dn 9:3 (‖ צוֹם, שַׂק), Jon 3:6 (‖ שַׂק) cf. Jb 42:6 (עָפָר וא׳), Is 58:5 (‖ שַׂק); mourning Est 4:1, 3 (‖ שַׂק) cf. Jb 2:8 (ישׁב בתוך הא׳), Je 6:26 (‖ שַׂק), Ez 27:30 (‖ עפר); in sim. scattereth hoarfrost כָּא׳ ψ 147:16; but also as filthy, loathsome כעפר וא׳ Jb 30:19 (Di sim. of mourning, grief), as worthless, מִשְׁלֵי א׳ Jb 13:12 proverbs of ashes; fig. of worthlessness Is 44:20; insignificance עפר וא׳ Gn 18:27; ignominy Ez 28:18 Mal 3:21; distress & sorrow א׳ כַּלֶּחֶם אָכָ֑לְתִּי ψ 102:10 (so Assyrian cf. ZimBP 42) cf. La 3:16 Is 61:3 (פְּאֵר תַּחַת אֵפֶר).