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עָפַר

𐤏𐤐𐤓

ʻâphar

H6080 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עפר dust, fine earth, powder, to become dust, to cover with dust

Definition

To become dust, to be reduced to fine particles, or to be covered or scattered with dust. The verb primarily denotes the process of becoming dusty or powdery, or causing something to be covered with or turned into dust, typically by shattering, crumbling, or through dryness. It can also denote the outward appearance of something becoming grayish or ashen, primarily as a result of dust coverage or decay.

Semantic Range

to become dust, to be covered with dust, to reduce to powder by crushing, to disintegrate, to turn something to dust, to appear ashen or powdery due to dust

Root / Etymology

From the root עפר, whose core meaning is 'dust' or 'fine, loose earth.' The verb עָפַר derives directly from the noun, functioning as a denominative verb meaning 'to become dust' or 'to cover with dust.' The root עפר, present in both noun and verb forms, is associated with earthiness, fine particulate matter, or dust as a symbol of mortality and insignificance. There is no evidence that the original core meaning of the root was 'gray' (in the sense of hair) in Biblical Hebrew, although later rabbinic usage sometimes associates it with color due to dust or ash.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, עָפַר (as a verb) is rare and generally employed in a poetic or figurative sense. When it occurs, it conveys returning to dust (decay, mortality), being pulverized (as in destruction), or being dust-covered (humiliation or grief). The denominative verb form highlights the idea of being reduced to the state of dust or being subject to the processes associated with dust (e.g., decay, desolation, or ruin). Unlike some English translations that associate the verb with mere graying (especially of hair), the core biblical imagery focuses on dust itself, in line with the noun עָפָר. In ancient Israelite thought, dust was a potent symbol of mortality, humility, and insignificance (cf. Genesis 3:19; Job 10:9; Psalm 113:7). The term is part of a broader Hebrew vocabulary conveying states of decay, destruction, or humility, sometimes overlapping with שָׁחַק (to pulverize, grind fine) or אָפֵל (dark, dusky) but remaining distinct in associating specifically with dust or fine earth. There are no significant shifts in meaning between different periods of biblical literature, though post-biblical and later rabbinic Hebrew at times expands the range to include graying or fading.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

; a primitive root; meaning either to be gray or perhaps rather to pulverize; used only as denominative from עָפָר,; to be dust; cast (dust).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עפר (ʿ-p-r) — dust, fine earth, powder, to become dust, to cover with dust

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5777 עוֹפֶרֶת the dusty-metal (lead)
H6081 עֵפֶר Epher
H6082 עֹפֶר fawn of
H6083 עָפָר dust
H6084 עׇפְרָה Doe

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6080-01 וְ/עִפַּ֖ר veipar HC/Vpq3ms and threw and he dusted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6080-01 2 Samuel 16:13 וְ/עִפַּ֖ר veipar HC/Vpq3ms and threw and he dusted
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