בֵּית לְעַפְרָה (bet le.aph.rah)
bet le.aph.rah
Beth-le-aphrah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Beth-le-aphrah appears only once in Scripture, located in Micah 1:10. The name translates to "house of dust" or "house belonging to Aphrah," reflecting a specific geographical identity within the Philistine territory.
Its occurrence is brief and localized, serving as one of several towns listed in Micah’s prophecy against Israel’s cities. While some sources suggest it may be another name for Ophrah, the text itself does not clarify this connection, leaving its precise identification uncertain.
This single mention highlights how place names in the prophets often carry symbolic weight. "Dust" evokes humility and mortality, fitting the context of judgment. The word stands as a quiet marker of a forgotten location, reminding readers that even obscure places are part of the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beth-le-aphrah literally means "house of dust." In Micah’s prophecy, this location serves as a stark symbol of humility and mortality. When the prophet commands the people not to weep there but to roll in the dust, he is invoking an ancient posture of grief and repentance. Dust reminds us that our lives are fragile and temporary, grounding our spiritual perspective in reality.
For your faith life, this word offers a gentle invitation to embrace humility. In moments of loss or confusion, acknowledging our smallness before God can be a source of peace rather than despair. It is not about self-hatred, but about recognizing that we are created beings who rely entirely on divine grace. This honest admission opens the door for healing and restoration.
Even obscure places in Scripture matter to God. The fact that this tiny town is remembered shows that no part of our story is too small or forgotten for Him to care about. You can find comfort in knowing that your own struggles, however hidden they may feel, are seen and held by the Creator who knows every detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Beth1×
- Leaphrah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְעַפְרָ֔ה1×
- בְּ/בֵ֣ית1×
Key Verses
-
Micah 1:10
Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t weep at all. At Beth Ophrah I have rolled myself in the dust.
This verse uses the imagery of rolling in dust to express deep mourning and humility in response to impending judgment.