Lexical Summary apher: To cover, to conceal, to hide Original Word: אֲפֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ashes From the same as 'epher (in the sense of covering); a turban -- ashes. see HEBREW 'epher NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a covering, bandage NASB Translation bandage (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲפֵר noun [masculine] covering, bandage (Assyrian ipru, covering ZimBP 95, êpartu, garment, Id.ib. & DlPr 54) עַלעֵֿינָיו ׳א 1 Kings 20:38 compare 1 Kings 20:41. אֶפְרֹחַ see פרח. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture The noun אֲפֵר appears twice, both in the narrative of the unnamed prophet who confronts King Ahab after the battle with Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:38; 1 Kings 20:41). In each verse the Berean Standard Bible renders the term “bandage,” highlighting an article of facial covering used for deliberate concealment. Historical Setting The events unfold shortly after Israel’s victory over Aram. Ahab, having spared the defeated Ben-hadad, returns in triumph. In that setting a prophet stages a dramatic object lesson on the highway used by the royal entourage. Prophets in the northern kingdom often employed sign-acts—concrete, sometimes startling behaviors—to embody the word of the LORD (compare Isaiah 20:2–3; Jeremiah 13:1–11; Ezekiel 4:1–3). The face-covering (אֲפֵר) is one such prop, designed to disguise the prophet until the decisive moment of revelation. Prophetic Symbolism 1. Concealment and Unveiling. The prophet first “disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes” (1 Kings 20:38), then “quickly removed the bandage from his eyes” (1 Kings 20:41). The act enacts the spiritual parallel: sin can blind a leader to divine truth, yet the LORD will uncover hidden realities in His time (Psalm 90:8; Hebrews 4:13). Theological Themes • Accountability of Rulers. Ahab’s responsibility to carry out God’s ban (ḥerem) is underscored through the sign-act. Divine mandates transcend political expediency (Deuteronomy 20:16–18). Cultural Associations Although ashes are elsewhere linked to mourning (Job 42:6; Daniel 9:3), the אֲפֵר in 1 Kings 20 functions not as penitential ash but as a strip of cloth akin to a wartime bandage. This was a familiar sight near a battlefield and so added plausibility to the prophet’s disguise. The prop therefore carries military connotations, fitting a narrative centered on war and its aftermath. Ministry Significance for Today 1. Integrity in Proclamation. Like the prophet, modern messengers of God must sometimes confront power structures with unpopular truth, trusting the divine word rather than human favor (Acts 5:29). Conclusion The modest word אֲפֵר, used only twice, serves as a narrative hinge converting disguise into disclosure. By means of a simple facial covering, the Lord orchestrates a powerful indictment of compromised leadership and models the uncovering work of prophetic ministry—a reminder that what is hidden will one day be revealed (Luke 12:2). Forms and Transliterations בָּאֲפֵ֖ר באפר הָ֣אֲפֵ֔ר האפר bā’ăp̄êr bā·’ă·p̄êr baaFer hā’ăp̄êr hā·’ă·p̄êr haaFerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 20:38 HEB: הַדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֥שׂ בָּאֲפֵ֖ר עַל־ עֵינָֽיו׃ NAS: and disguised himself with a bandage over KJV: and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. INT: the way and disguised A bandage over his eyes 1 Kings 20:41 2 Occurrences |
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