Ashes. The ashes on the Altar of Burnt Offering were gathered into a cavity in its surface. The ashes of a red heifer burnt entire, according to regulations prescribed in Numbers 19, had the ceremonial efficacy of purifying the unclean, Hebrews 9:13, but of polluting the clean. See Sacrifice. Ashes about the person, especially on the head, were used as a sign of sorrow. See Mourning.