Aphrah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Micah. The name "Aphrah" is derived from the Hebrew word for "dust," which is significant in the context of the biblical narrative. The prophet Micah uses a play on words to convey a message of lament and impending judgment.

Biblical Reference:

· Micah 1:10 · "Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all. Roll in the dust at Beth-leaphrah."

In this passage, the prophet Micah is delivering a message of doom to various cities in Judah and Israel. The phrase "roll in the dust at Beth-leaphrah" is a call to mourning and humiliation. The name "Beth-leaphrah" can be translated as "house of dust," and the act of rolling in the dust is a traditional expression of deep sorrow and repentance in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Aphrah, or Beth-leaphrah, is believed to be a town located in the region of Judah. The exact location of Aphrah is not definitively known, but it is thought to be near the Philistine city of Gath, as suggested by its mention alongside Gath in Micah 1:10. The historical context of Micah's prophecy is during a time of great turmoil and threat from the Assyrian Empire, which was expanding its territory and exerting pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Aphrah in Micah's prophecy serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. The imagery of rolling in the dust symbolizes the humility and contrition required of God's people in the face of divine judgment. Micah's use of wordplay and vivid imagery underscores the seriousness of the situation and the urgency of returning to the Lord.

From a theological perspective, Aphrah represents the broader theme of judgment and redemption found throughout the prophetic books of the Bible. The call to mourn and repent is consistent with the messages of other prophets who urged Israel and Judah to turn back to God and seek His mercy.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:

The literary style of Micah, including the use of puns and wordplay, is characteristic of Hebrew prophetic literature. The name Aphrah, meaning "dust," is intentionally chosen to evoke a sense of desolation and mourning. This technique is effective in communicating the emotional and spiritual weight of the prophet's message.

In summary, Aphrah, as mentioned in the book of Micah, is a symbol of lamentation and a call to repentance. It reflects the broader themes of judgment and hope that are central to the prophetic writings in the Old Testament.Aphrah

(dust), The house of, a place mentioned in (Micah 1:10) Its site is uncertain.

APHRAH

af'-ra: the King James Version form for the Revised Version (British and American) BETH-LEAPHRAH (Micah 1:10).

965. Bethleem -- "house of bread," Bethlehem, a city near Jer.
... Bethlehem. Of Hebrew origin (Beyth l-'Aphrah); Bethleem (ie Beth-lechem), a
place in Palestine -- Bethlehem. see HEBREW Beyth l-'Aphrah. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/965.htm - 6k1036. Beth Leaphrah -- "house to dust," a place in Palestine
... "house to dust," a place in Palestine. Transliteration: Beth Leaphrah Phonetic Spelling:
(bayth le-af-raw') Short Definition: Beth-le-aphrah. ... house of Aphrah. ...
/hebrew/1036.htm - 6k

3899. lechem -- bread, food
... victuals. See also Beyth l-'Aphrah. see HEBREW lacham. see HEBREW Beyth
l-'Aphrah. 3898b, 3899. lechem. 3900 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3899.htm - 6k

Aphrah (1 Occurrence)
...APHRAH. af'-ra: the King James Version form for the Revised Version (British
and American) BETH-LEAPHRAH (Micah 1:10). ...Aphrah (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/aphrah.htm - 6k

Beth-aphrah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-aphrah. Bethany, Beth-aphrah. Betharabah . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-aphrah (1 Occurrence). Micah 1:10 In ...
/b/beth-aphrah.htm - 6k

Beth-le-aphrah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-le-aphrah. Beth-leaphrah, Beth-le-aphrah. Beth-le-aph'rah . Easton's
Bible Dictionary (RV Micah 1:10), house of dust. The ...
/b/beth-le-aphrah.htm - 7k

Bethleaphrah
... The Authorized Version reads "in the house of Aphrah." This is probably the name
of a town in the Shephelah, or "low country," between Joppa and Gaza. Int. ...
/b/bethleaphrah.htm - 7k

Beth-leaphrah
Beth-leaphrah. Bethleaphrah, Beth-leaphrah. Beth-le-aphrah . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia ... Bethleaphrah, Beth-leaphrah. Beth-le-aphrah . Reference Bible
/b/beth-leaphrah.htm - 7k

Beth-le-aph'rah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-le-aph'rah. Beth-le-aphrah, Beth-le-aph'rah. Bethlebaoth . ... Micah 1:10 In
Gath tell ye not -- in Acco weep not, In Beth-Aphrah, in dust roll thyself. ...
/b/beth-le-aph'rah.htm - 6k

Betharabah (3 Occurrences)

/b/betharabah.htm - 8k

Bethany (13 Occurrences)

/b/bethany.htm - 14k

Aphses (1 Occurrence)

/a/aphses.htm - 6k

Aphik (1 Occurrence)

/a/aphik.htm - 8k

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