Afar off, to wit, at some convenient distance from him; whom they found sitting upon the ground, either in the open air, or within his own house.
Knew him not; his countenance being so fearfully changed and disfigured by his boils.
Sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven; either upon the upper part of their heads, which look towards heaven; or cast it up into the air, so as it should fall upon their heads, as they did Act_22:23. See Jos_6:6Neh_9:1Lam_2:10.