Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance:In biblical literature, "ash" primarily refers to the residue left after the burning of substances, often used symbolically to represent mourning, repentance, and humility. Ashes are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, serving as a physical representation of human frailty and the transient nature of life. Old Testament References: 1. Mourning and Repentance: Ashes are frequently associated with mourning and repentance in the Old Testament. When individuals or communities sought to express deep sorrow or penitence, they would sit in ashes or sprinkle them upon their heads. This act symbolized their humility and recognition of their mortality. For instance, in the Book of Job, Job sits among the ashes as he laments his suffering: "Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes" (Job 2:8). 2. Ritual Purity: Ashes also played a role in the rituals of purification. In Numbers 19, the ashes of a red heifer were used in the water of purification to cleanse those who had come into contact with a dead body: "The clean person is to sprinkle the unclean one on the third and seventh days. After he has purified the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and he will be clean by evening" (Numbers 19:19). 3. Symbol of Destruction: Ashes can symbolize destruction and judgment. In Genesis 18:27, Abraham speaks to God about the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, acknowledging his own insignificance: "Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27). New Testament References: 1. Repentance: The New Testament continues the theme of ashes as a symbol of repentance. Jesus references the use of sackcloth and ashes in His rebuke of unrepentant cities: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" (Matthew 11:21). 2. Humility: Ashes serve as a reminder of human humility and the need for divine grace. The act of covering oneself in ashes is a physical manifestation of an inward acknowledgment of one's need for God's mercy and forgiveness. Cultural and Theological Implications: In biblical times, the use of ashes was a powerful cultural symbol. It conveyed a message of contrition and the desire for reconciliation with God. The practice of using ashes in religious observance has continued in various forms within Christian traditions, most notably in the observance of Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent—a period of reflection and repentance leading up to Easter. Theologically, ashes remind believers of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal significance of spiritual matters. They serve as a call to humility, repentance, and a deeper reliance on God's grace and redemption. Smith's Bible Dictionary Ash(Heb. oren), only in (Isaiah 44:14) As the true ash is not a native of Palestine, some understand this to be a species of pine tree. Perhaps the larch (Laryx europaea) may be intended. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews o'ren, "tremulous"), mentioned only Isaiah 44:14 (R.V., "fir tree"). It is rendered "pine tree" both in the LXX. and Vulgate versions. There is a tree called by the Arabs aran, found still in the valleys of Arabia Petraea, whose leaf resembles that of the mountain ash. This may be the tree meant. Our ash tree is not known in Syria. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A genus of trees of the Olive family, having opposite pinnate leaves, many of the species furnishing valuable timber, as the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and the white ash (F. Americana).2. (n.) The tough, elastic wood of the ash tree. 3. (n.) sing. of Ashes. 4. (v. t.) To strew or sprinkle with ashes. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASH (1)ash ('oren; the Revised Version (British and American) FIR-TREE; the Revised Version, margin Ash): A maker of idols "planteth a fir-tree (margin, "ash"), and the rain doth nourish it" (Isaiah 44:14). It is a suggestion as old as Luther that the final letter "n", was originally a "z", and that the word should be 'erez, "cedar"; the chief objection is that cedar occurs just before in the same verse. The word 'oren seems to be connected with the Assyrian irin, meaning fir or cedar or allied tree. "Fir" has support from the Septuagint and from the rabbis. Post (HDB) suggests as probable the stone pine, Pinus pinea, which has been extensively planted round Beirut and unlike most planted trees flourishes without artificial watering-"the rain doth nourish it." ASH (2) (Bear). See ASTRONOMY. Strong's Hebrew 830. ashpoth -- an ash heap, refuse heap, dunghill... 829, 830. ashpoth. 831 . an ash heap, refuse heap, dunghill. Transliteration: ashpoth Phonetic Spelling: (ash-pohth') Short Definition: refuse. ... /hebrew/830.htm - 6k 6211. ash -- a moth 8240a. shephattayim -- perhaps fireplaces, ash heaps 4942. mishpethayim -- perhaps fireplaces, ash heaps 8240. shaphath -- perhaps fireplaces, ash heaps 5906. Ayish -- (a constellation) perhaps Great Bear 766. oren -- fir, cedar 821. ashmoreth -- a watch 8211. shephek -- (place of) pouring 4284. machashabah -- thought, device Library Ash Wednesday and Lent Sermon for Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday. Gather the People . . And Let the Priests, the ... Just as I Am, Without one Plea Savior! when in Dust to Thee Lord, as to Thy Dear Cross we Flee Lord, in this Thy Mercy's Day Forty Days and Forty Nights When Wounded Sore the Stricken Soul With Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh Thesaurus Ash (4 Occurrences)... and Vulgate versions. There is a tree called by the Arabs aran, found still in the valleys of Arabia Petraea, whose leaf resembles that of the mountain ash. ... /a/ash.htm - 9k Jo'ash (44 Occurrences) Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences) Ga'ash (4 Occurrences) Ash'kelon (10 Occurrences) Jeho'ash (16 Occurrences) Ash'dodites (1 Occurrence) Ash'kenaz (3 Occurrences) Ash'toreth (3 Occurrences) Ash'imah (1 Occurrence) Resources What is Ash Wednesday? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian calendar? | GotQuestions.org What is Shrove Tuesday? | GotQuestions.org Ash: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ash (4 Occurrences)Leviticus 4:12 1 Samuel 2:8 Psalms 113:7 Lamentations 4:5 Subtopics Related Terms Ash'teroth-karna'im (1 Occurrence) Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence) |
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