עוֹפֶר, עֹפֶר; עפר to be thick, strong; cmp. preced., young animal; trnsf. youth, strong man. Gen. R. s. 14 (play on עפר, Gen. II, 7) ע׳ עולם על מליאתו נברא the conqueror of the world was created in his fulness (completely developed).—Pl. עֳפָרִים. Y’lamd. to Num. XXIII, 10, quot. in Ar. (play on עֲפַר, Num. l. c.) מי מנה ע׳ וכ׳ who will count the youths among them that have reached the age of marriage &c.?; Yalk. Num. 766 כמה ע׳ יש וכ׳ how many are the youths in Israel that study the Law &c.! (Tanna d’bé El. ch. XXI עפר, corr. acc.).