אֲפֵר
𐤀𐤐𐤓
ʼăphêr
H666 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A kind of head covering or headdress, specifically a turban or wrap worn on the head. The sense is distinct from ashes (אֵפֶר), although the words are related etymologically. In its only biblical occurrence, it denotes a prestigious or ornamented headpiece, likely worn as a sign of status or honor rather than for mourning.
Semantic Range
turban, headdress, headwrap; (distinct from ashes in this usage)
Root / Etymology
The term derives from the root א-פ-ר (אפר), which primarily means 'ashes.' In the case of אֲפֵר, the word is formed by association with the root but refers to something that covers the head, that is, a turban or headdress. The connection may be in the idea of covering, as ashes are spread or sprinkled to cover, and a headdress similarly covers the head. The formation is a nominal pattern distinct from the direct noun for 'ashes.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word אֲפֵר occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible (Ezekiel 24:17) and refers to a head covering—usually rendered 'turban,' 'headband,' or 'headdress' in modern English translations—worn by Israelite men during times not set aside for mourning. The usage in Ezekiel underscores the association with normal, honorable attire as opposed to the custom of donning ashes or removing headdress as symbols of mourning. The word is etymologically related to אֵפֶר ('ashes'), but its actual lexical meaning is distinct. Later rabbinic and Aramaic sources sometimes use similar forms for headgear, reinforcing the interpretation of a textile headdress rather than literal ashes. Traditional translations sometimes connect it with mourning practices due to the etymological relation to ashes, but its specific contextual use in Ezekiel is as a marker of status, not grief. The use of the word is geographically and temporally limited; there is minimal evidence for its broader application outside the Ezekiel context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as אֵפֶר (in the sense of covering); a turban; ashes.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אפר (ʾ-p-r) — to cover, to strew, to turn into ashes
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H665 | אֵפֶר | in the ashes |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H666-01 |
בָּ/אֲפֵ֖ר | baafer | HRd/Ncmsa |
with ashes | ornate headwrap | 1 |
H666-02 |
הָ֣/אֲפֵ֔ר | haafer | HTd/Ncmsa |
headband | ornamented headwrap | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H666-01 |
1 Kings 20:38 | בָּ/אֲפֵ֖ר | baafer | HRd/Ncmsa |
with ashes | ornate headwrap |
H666-02 |
1 Kings 20:41 | הָ֣/אֲפֵ֔ר | haafer | HTd/Ncmsa |
headband | ornamented headwrap |