; a primitive root; meaning either to be gray or perhaps rather to pulverize; used only as denominative from עָפָר,; to be dust; cast (dust).
Transliteration:ʻâphar
Pronunciation:aw-far'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H6080}}` (ʻâphar) is a primitive root, yet its usage in the biblical text is consistently understood as a denominative verb derived directly from the noun `{{H6083}}` (ʻāphār), meaning "dust" or "dry earth." While the base definition offers "to be gray" as a possible primary sense, the pervasive connection to `{{H6083}}` strongly favors the meaning related to "dust." Therefore, `{{H6080}}` fundamentally signifies "to be dust," "to become dust," or, more commonly in its active form, "to cast dust" or "to scatter dust." This denominative relationship is crucial, as it grounds the verb's meaning firmly in the physical and symbolic properties of dust, reflecting actions performed with or related to this elemental substance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H6080}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in a highly significant context:
* **[[2 Samuel 16:13]]**: "And as David and his men went on the way, Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and ʻâphared dust." (וְשִׁמְעִי הֹלֵךְ בְּצֵלַע הָהָר לְעֻמָּתוֹ וְהָלֹךְ וְקִלֵּל וְסִקֵּל בָּאֲבָנִים לְעֻמָּתוֹ וְעִפַּר בֶּעָפָר)
In this solitary occurrence, `{{H6080}}` is used in the Hiphil participle form, "וְעִפַּר" (ve'ippar), which means "and he cast dust." The context is Shimei's vehement cursing of King David during his flight from Absalom. Shimei's actions—cursing, throwing stones, and casting dust—are all expressions of profound contempt, malice, and a desire for David's downfall. The act of casting dust, often associated with mourning, humiliation, or a curse in the ancient Near East, here serves as a potent visual and symbolic accompaniment to his verbal assault. It signifies utter disdain and a wish for the recipient to be reduced to nothing, to dust. This singular usage powerfully illustrates the verb's active sense of "to cast dust" as a gesture of extreme opprobrium.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relationship for `{{H6080}}` is with its root noun, `{{H6083}}` (ʻāphār), which denotes "dust," "dry earth," or "dirt." Understanding `{{H6083}}` is essential for grasping the full semantic range of the verb. Concepts intimately linked to `{{H6083}}` and, by extension, `{{H6080}}`, include:
* **Humanity's Origin and Mortality**: Man was formed from the dust of the ground ([[Genesis 2:7]]) and will return to dust ([[Genesis 3:19]]). This foundational concept of human frailty and mortality imbues any action involving dust with profound symbolic weight.
* **Mourning and Humiliation**: Casting dust or ashes on one's head or sitting in dust was a common practice signifying deep grief, repentance, or extreme humiliation ([[Job 2:12]], [[Lamentations 2:10]], [[Ezekiel 27:30]]).
* **Contempt and Cursing**: As seen in [[2 Samuel 16:13]], the act of throwing dust could be a direct expression of scorn, a curse, or a ritualistic act wishing ill upon an enemy. It parallels other actions of abasement.
* **Barrenness and Desolation**: Dust is also associated with dry, unproductive land, symbolizing desolation or a lack of life ([[Isaiah 5:24]]).
* **Divine Judgment**: God's power over creation includes the ability to turn things to dust or to use dust as an instrument of judgment (e.g., the plague of gnats in [[Exodus 8:16-17]]).
Other related Hebrew words might include `{{H6087}}` (ʻāphōr), an adjective meaning "dusty," further illustrating the semantic field surrounding `{{H6083}}`.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of `{{H6080}}` in [[2 Samuel 16:13]] carries significant theological weight due to its context within David's suffering and his response to Shimei's curse. The act of "casting dust" by Shimei is not merely a physical action but a deeply symbolic one, intended to convey the utter debasement and rejection of David. It is a performative curse, seeking to reduce the anointed king to the lowest possible state, akin to the dust from which humanity came and to which it returns.
However, David's response to this barrage of curses and physical assaults is profoundly theological. He understands that Shimei's actions, while malicious, are ultimately permitted, and perhaps even ordained, by God ([[2 Samuel 16:10-12]]). David's submission to this humiliation, viewing it as a potential divine discipline or testing, elevates the scene beyond mere human conflict. The dust cast upon him, rather than signifying his ultimate downfall, becomes a part of his journey of reliance on God's sovereignty and a prefigurement of the suffering servant who endures scorn. The theological significance lies in how human acts of contempt, symbolized by the casting of dust, are subsumed within God's overarching plan and purpose, even for His chosen ones. It underscores themes of divine sovereignty, human frailty, the nature of suffering, and the proper response to persecution.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H6080}}` (ʻâphar) is a rare but potent denominative verb derived from `{{H6083}}` (ʻāphār), "dust." Its core meaning is "to cast dust" or "to become dust." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[2 Samuel 16:13]] vividly depicts Shimei "casting dust" as a powerful gesture of contempt and cursing against King David. This act is deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of dust as a symbol of human mortality, humiliation, and abasement. Theologically, this unique instance highlights the profound symbolic weight of physical actions in biblical narrative, demonstrating how even an act of casting dust can signify a potent curse and how divine sovereignty can encompass and even utilize such human malice for its own purposes, ultimately shaping the character and destiny of God's people.
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