אֵפֶר epher

Hebrew word for “ashes” · Strong’s H665 · used 22 times in 22 verses

Explore it in the Word Atlas

Meaning

1) ashes; 2) (CLBL) worthlessness (fig.)

How it is translated

Glosses given for epher in context, with how often each is used:

• ashes 21
• like ashes 1

Where it is used

Also in 1 more book.

Chapters where it is used most

Numbers 19 (2), Esther 4 (2), Genesis 18 (1), 2 Samuel 13 (1), Job 2 (1), Job 13 (1), Job 30 (1), Job 42 (1), Psalms 102 (1), Psalms 147 (1)

Forms

• אפר 8
• ואפר 7
• באפר 3
• האפר 2
• כאפר 1
• לאפר 1

Words used with it

Words that share verses with epher more often than their overall frequency would suggest:

• שַׂק saq “sackcloth” 6
• עָפָר aphar “dust” 4
• צוֹם tsom “fast” 3
• אֵבֶל evel “mourning” 3
• יָצַע yatsa “to lay” 2
• פָּלַשׁ palash “to wallow” 2
• זָעַק zaaq “to cry out” 3
• תָּוֶךְ tavekh “midst” 4
• מִסְפֵּד misped “mourning” 2
• פָּרָה parah “heifer” 2
• חֹמֶר chomer “clay” 2
• בְּכִי bekhi “weeping” 2

Key verses

The verses using epher that are most connected by cross-references (King James Version):

• Genesis 18:27 — And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
• Esther 4:1 — When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with…
• Job 42:6 — Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
• Psalms 102:9 — For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
• Isaiah 44:20 — He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
• Isaiah 58:5 — Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under…
• Isaiah 61:3 — To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;…
• Jeremiah 6:26 — O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the…
• Ezekiel 27:30 — And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the…
• Daniel 9:3 — And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
• Jonah 3:6 — For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
• Malachi 4:3 — And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

See all 22 verses in the Word Atlas

Hebrew and Greek text, tagging, glosses and lexicon definitions: STEPBible.org, Tyndale House Cambridge (TAHOT, TAGNT, TBESH, TBESG; CC BY 4.0), adapted. Counts follow King James verse numbering; a word counts each time it is written.