Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the practice of burial was a significant aspect of honoring the deceased, reflecting both cultural customs and religious beliefs. The use of a bier, or coffin, is mentioned in several instances within the Scriptures, serving as a means to transport and display the body of the deceased before burial.The term "bier" refers to a platform or framework upon which a body is placed for transport to the burial site. In some cases, it may also refer to a coffin or a similar structure used to enclose the body. The use of a bier is indicative of the respect and care given to the deceased, ensuring a dignified journey to their final resting place. One notable biblical account involving a bier is found in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 7:11-15 , we read about the widow of Nain, whose only son had died. As the funeral procession was leaving the town, Jesus encountered the mourners. The passage states: "As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, 'Do not weep.' Then He went up and touched the bier, and those carrying it stood still. 'Young man,' He said, 'I tell you, get up!' And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother." This account highlights the use of a bier in the funeral customs of the time, as well as the profound impact of Jesus' miracle, which not only restored life but also provided comfort and hope to the grieving mother. In the Old Testament, the concept of a bier or coffin is also present, though less explicitly detailed. For instance, in Genesis 50:26 , it is recorded that Joseph was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt: "So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt." This reflects the Egyptian influence on burial practices during Joseph's time, where coffins were commonly used. The use of a bier or coffin in biblical times underscores the importance of treating the deceased with dignity and respect. It also serves as a reminder of the hope of resurrection, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. The act of carrying the body on a bier to its final resting place symbolizes the journey from this life to the next, a transition that is central to the Christian faith. In summary, the use of a bier or coffin in biblical burial practices is a testament to the reverence for life and the hope of eternal life. It reflects the cultural and religious significance of honoring the deceased, while also pointing to the greater promise of resurrection and life everlasting through faith. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 3:31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. Nave's Topical Index Luke 7:14 Library Jesus Raises the Widow's Son. The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ... In Death and after Death Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the ... Homeward Bound The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ... The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus Funeral Oration on Meletius . The Bereavements of the Christian Home. [A] Resources Is burial the only option a Christian can consider? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is the Shroud of Turin authentic? | GotQuestions.org Burial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Burial for Criminals, Marked by Heaps Burial of Enemies, Sometimes Performed by the Conquerors Burial of Persons Embalmed, Deferred for Seventy Days Burial of Persons Hanged, Always on the Days of Execution Burial of the Friendless, a Kind Act Burial were Ceremonially Unclean Burial: An Ignominious, Compared to the Burial of an Ass Burial: Antiquity of Coffins For Burial: Antiquity of Purchasing Places For Burial: Attended by Family of the Dead Burial: Attended by Female Friends Burial: Attended by Great Lamentation At Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Burial: Attended by Numbers of Friends Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends of Jacob Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Stephen Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain Burial: Burial of Gog (Multitude) Requiring Seven Months Burial: Burying Places for Poor and Strangers Burial: Burying Places in Caves Burial: Burying Places in Gardens Burial: Burying Places in Houses Burial: Burying Places in Valleys Burial: Burying Places of Kings Burial: Burying Places with Shelves Burial: Burying Places: A Place of Honor Burial: Burying Places: And Inscriptions Burial: Burying Places: Anyone Who Touched, Were Unclean Burial: Burying Places: Bought by Abraham Burial: Burying Places: Closed With Stones Burial: Burying Places: Demoniacs Lived In Burial: Burying Places: Family Burial: Burying Places: Joseph Burial: Burying Places: King Saul's Burial: Burying Places: Marked With Pillars, Rachel's Burial: Burying Places: On Hills Burial: Burying Places: Painted and Garnished Burial: Burying Places: Refused to the Dead Burial: Burying Places: Robbed Burial: Burying Places: Sealed Burial: Burying Places: Under Trees, Deborah's Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Jacob Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Joseph Burial: Frequently Prepared and Pointed out During Life Burial: Held in High Veneration Burial: Illustrative of Regeneration Burial: Members of a Family Interred in the Same Burial: Often Desecrated by Idolatry Burial: Often Took Place Immediately After Death Burial: Orations Sometimes Made At Burial: Places Used for Caves Hewn out of Rocks Burial: Places Used for Gardens Burial: Places Used for Houses of the Deceased Burial: Places Used for Natural Caves Burial: Places Used for The City of David for the Kings of Judah Burial: Places Used for Tops of the Hills Burial: Places Used for Under Trees Burial: Privation of, Considered a Calamity Burial: Privation of, Threatened As a Punishment Burial: Provided for Aliens and Strangers Burial: Provided for the Common People Burial: Sometimes had Inscriptions Burial: Sometimes not Apparent Burial: The Body Was: Anointed For Burial: The Body Was: Carried on a Bier To Burial: The Body Was: Preserved With Spices Burial: The Body Was: Sometimes Burned Before Burial: The Body Was: Washed Before Burial: The Body Was: Wound in Linen For Burial: The Jews Anxious to be Interred in Their Family Places of Burial: The Right of all Nations Burial: Visited by Sorrowing Friends Related Terms |
    |