Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, burial was a significant practice, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the Israelites. The act of burying the dead was not merely a matter of disposing of a body but was imbued with respect, honor, and a sense of duty to the deceased. However, there are instances in the Scriptures where burial was refused, serving as a profound statement of judgment or disgrace.Refusal of Burial as a Sign of Judgment The refusal of burial in the Bible often symbolizes divine judgment or extreme dishonor. One of the most notable examples is found in the account of Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. Her death and the subsequent refusal of a proper burial were prophesied by Elijah as a sign of God's judgment upon her for her idolatry and wickedness. In 2 Kings 9:36-37 , it is recorded: "When they went back and told Jehu, he said, 'This is the word of the LORD that He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the surface of the field in the plot of Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say: This is Jezebel.’" Similarly, the bodies of King Jehoiakim and others who faced divine wrath were denied burial as a sign of their disgrace. Jeremiah 22:19 speaks of Jehoiakim's fate: "He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem." Cultural and Religious Implications In the ancient Near Eastern context, burial was not only a familial duty but also a religious obligation. The denial of burial rites was considered one of the greatest indignities that could befall a person. It was believed that proper burial was necessary for the deceased to rest in peace and for their spirit to join their ancestors. Thus, the refusal of burial was a severe punishment, reflecting the community's or God's rejection of the individual. Instances of Refusal in Warfare and Conflict During times of war and conflict, the refusal to bury the dead was sometimes used as a tactic to demoralize the enemy. In 1 Samuel 17:44-46 , Goliath taunts David, threatening to leave his body unburied: "Come here, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" David, however, counters with a declaration of faith in God's deliverance, emphasizing the disgrace associated with being left unburied. Theological Reflections Theologically, the refusal of burial underscores the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine commandments and the ultimate judgment that awaits those who persist in wickedness. The biblical narrative uses the denial of burial to highlight the gravity of divine justice and the importance of living a life that honors God and His statutes. In summary, the refusal of burial in the Bible is a powerful symbol of judgment and dishonor. It reflects the cultural, religious, and theological significance of burial practices in ancient Israel and serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Nave's Topical Index Revelation 11:9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. Nave's Topical Index Library On the Words, and Rose Again from the Dead on the Third Day, and ... Crucified, Dead, and Buried. ' From Gallienus to the End of the Last Persecution (Ad 261-313) The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued) The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) The First Theban Empire The Life of Mr. Alexander Peden. Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the ... Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional. Resources What is the importance of the empty tomb? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joseph of Arimathea? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the cave of Machpelah? | 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 |
    |