Topical Bible: Burial: Burying Places: Asa

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Asa, the third king of the Kingdom of Judah, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of burial practices and the location of his final resting place. Asa reigned for forty-one years, and his reign is noted for religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry. His burial is mentioned in the context of his death and the honor accorded to him by his people.

Biblical Account of Asa's Burial

The account of Asa's burial is found in 2 Chronicles 16:13-14 : "So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers. He was buried in the city of David, and they laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; and they made a very great fire in his honor."

This passage highlights several key aspects of Asa's burial:

1. Location: Asa was buried in the "city of David," which refers to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and the site of the royal tombs. This location underscores Asa's status as a Davidic king and his connection to the lineage of David.

2. Honor and Ceremony: The mention of a bier filled with spices and perfumes, along with the "very great fire," indicates the honor and respect accorded to Asa at his death. The use of spices and perfumes was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern burial customs, intended to honor the deceased and mask the odor of decay.

3. Resting with His Fathers: The phrase "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical expression denoting burial in the family tomb or ancestral burial site. It signifies continuity with past generations and the hope of being gathered to one's people in death.

Historical and Cultural Context

Asa's burial reflects the broader cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and Judah. Burial in the city of David was reserved for kings and notable figures, emphasizing Asa's importance and the esteem in which he was held. The use of spices and perfumes, as well as the ceremonial fire, aligns with the practices of surrounding cultures, where elaborate burial rites were a means of honoring the dead and ensuring their peaceful transition to the afterlife.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, Asa's burial in the city of David symbolizes the covenantal promises associated with the Davidic line. Asa's efforts to reform Judah and his commitment to the worship of Yahweh are reflected in the honor given to him at his death. His burial serves as a testament to his faithfulness and the legacy he left for future generations.

In summary, the burial of Asa is a significant event that highlights the customs, honor, and theological implications associated with the death of a righteous king in the biblical narrative.

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2 Chronicles 16:14
And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' are: and they made a very great burning for him.
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Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... told of idolatrous practices in Judah under Rehoboam and Abraham (1 Kings
14:22-24; xv.3), and of the tolerance of high places by Asa and Jehoshaphat (1 Kings ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... descendants of Solomon, and the repeated changes of dynasty in Israel"Asa and Baasha ...
their lives unto the death,"and Naphtali upon the high places of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm