1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance)
 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land
 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing)
 1d) ground as earth's visible surface
 1e) land, territory, country
 1f) whole inhabited earth
 1g) city in Naphtali

 06083 `aphar {aw-fawr'}
AV - dust 93, earth 7, powder 3, rubbish 2, ashes 2, mortar 2, ground 1; 110

 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish
 1a) dry or loose earth
 1b) debris
 1c) mortar
 1d) ore

Theologians vary in their interpretation of the elements that composed the first human body.   Was it formed of mud, clay, red earth?  Was Adam created as a caucasian or some other race?  To me, Adam was exactly what this text indicates - the first human, the color of the ground (dust) he came from.   There have been many racist and bigoted commentaries about this issue.   There are also many unnecessary pains and crimes, that have resulted - even in Christianity - due to a lack of acceptance of this simple Biblical truth.  Our loving God made only one race, the human race.  If you have doubts or are offended see below:

Re 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

At no time does God, as do people, discriminate against anyone.   If Jesus and his commands* are met, habitation in the new earth is assured.

As the Bible clearly relates to us, Adam did not keep his first estate!   Take a moment to reflect on some things that are very important.

1. God chose to make Adam, the progenitor of a people who would be nurtured by an experienced, loving, leader*.  He even specially equipped Adam by allowing him to be the first earthly witness to God's power in doing His creative work.  (See "creation")

2. Despite all of this, Adam fell into sin, and was expelled from the garden he had been placed in.  Why?  Because he rejected what he knew and listened to his wife.

(Gen 3:17-19; 22,23)

3. Did he repent or become saved?  Read Gen 5:1- 5, remember his legacy throughout the rest of the Bible, and draw your own conclusions.  I think he did.

4. It is from this lineage (Adam and Eve) that all earthly leaders came from.*

*The greatest of these then, is Jesus.  (The Christ.  Yeshua, Moshiak)

 1Co 15:45  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life giving spirit.

 Joh 20:31  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.*

*cf

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
1Jo 2:3  And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jo 2:4  He who says "I know him" but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
1Jo 3:22  and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what  pleases him.
1Jo 3:24  All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.
1Jo 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
1Jo 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
2Jo 1:6  And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love.
Re 12:17  Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
Re 14:12  Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus