a.vaq denotes dust, whether present as a covering substance or used in comparisons of what is slight or vanishing.

The attested use chiefly denotes dust as a material spread, raised, or associated with natural and military scenes; it also appears in comparisons that portray a crowd or a blossom in terms of dust.

1. Dust as a spread or raised substance · dominant

   In Deuteronomy 28:24 the noun occurs in the announcement that rain from heaven will come down as dust; in Exodus 9:9 the APB renders the result as dust over all Egypt. Ezekiel 26:10 places the construct form in the clause about the abundance of horses and their dust covering the city, while Nahum 1:3 describes cloud as the dust of his feet.

   Deuteronomy 28:24Exodus 9:9Ezekiel 26:10Nahum 1:3
2. Dust in comparative imagery · common

   In Isaiah 29:5 the noun occurs in the comparison of the crowd of strangers with thin dust. In Isaiah 5:24 it appears in the comparison that follows fire consuming stubble and dry grass sinking into flame: the APB renders the blossom as rising like dust.

   Isaiah 29:5Isaiah 5:24

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB consistently uses “dust” in these verses, including “their dust,” “thin dust,” and “dust of his feet.” These renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than establish every nuance of the noun.