PRINCETON, N.J. -- Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana are the most right-leaning states in the union, with between 46% and 49% of residents in each identifying as politically conservative. Massachusetts, Vermont and Hawaii are the most left-leaning, with 30% of residents in each of those states identifying as liberal.
Figurative: The term ashes is often used to signify worthlessness, insignificance or evanescence (Genesis 18:27 Job 30:19). Proverbs of ashes, for instance, in Job 13:12, is Job's equivalent, says one writer, for our modern rot.. For the ritual use of the ashes of the Red Heifer by the priests, see RED HEIFER.
The ashes of a red heifer burned entire (Num. 19:5) when sprinkled on the unclean made them ceremonially clean (Heb. 9:13). To cover the head with ashes was a token of self-abhorrence and humiliation (2 Sam. 13:19; Esther 4:3; Jer. 6:26, etc.). To feed on ashes (Isa. 44:20), means to seek that which will prove to be vain and unsatisfactory, and hence it denotes the unsatisfactory nature of idol-worship. (Comp.