Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ASHES

A means to denote humiliation, sorrow, worthlessness, or purification. As a symbol of humility, ashes often were coupled with other items. When Abraham approached Yahweh, he referred to himself as dust and ashes (Gen. 18:27). Similarly, Daniel fasted and dressed himself in sackcloth and ashes (Dan. 9:3; cf. Matt. 11:21). In the apocryphal Additions to Esther (14:2), Esther put ashes and dung on her head as a sign of humility. Ashes commonly were used to express grief. Jeremiah encouraged the nation to mourn over the coming destruction by rolling in ashes (Jer. 6:26; cf. Job 2:8). Comparing something to ashes suggested the worthlessness of the object (Job 13:12) or its destruction (Ezek. 28:18; Job 30:19). However, the ashes that were produced by burning a red heifer were used to bring about purification (Num. 19:9-10; cf. Heb. 9:13).

Scott M. Langston






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

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