Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the practice of burial was a significant aspect of honoring the deceased, and provisions were made for the burial of the poor and strangers. The cultural and religious importance of burial is evident throughout the Scriptures, reflecting a deep respect for the body and the belief in the resurrection.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides several insights into the burial practices for the poor and strangers. In ancient Israel, the community was responsible for ensuring that even those without means or familial connections received a proper burial. This practice was rooted in the broader biblical mandate to care for the vulnerable and marginalized. One notable example is found in the laws concerning gleaning, which allowed the poor and strangers to gather leftover crops (Leviticus 19:9-10). While this law primarily addressed sustenance, it reflects the broader principle of community responsibility, which extended to burial practices. The Israelites were commanded to treat strangers and the poor with dignity, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:18-19: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the theme of caring for the poor and strangers continues. Jesus' teachings emphasize compassion and mercy, which would naturally extend to burial practices. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the importance of caring for those in need, regardless of their social status or origin. The early Christian community also demonstrated a commitment to caring for the poor, as seen in Acts 6:1-7, where the apostles appointed deacons to ensure the fair distribution of food to widows. This communal care likely included provisions for burial, as the early church sought to live out the teachings of Christ in practical ways. Historical and Archaeological Insights Archaeological evidence from ancient Israel and surrounding regions provides additional context for burial practices. Communal burial sites, such as those discovered in the Kidron Valley, suggest that there were designated areas for burying the poor and strangers. These sites often contained simple graves, indicating that while the burials were modest, they were conducted with respect. The Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish oral traditions, also provides insight into burial practices during the Second Temple period. It mentions the existence of communal burial grounds for those who could not afford private tombs, further supporting the biblical mandate to care for the less fortunate. Theological Implications The provision of burial for the poor and strangers underscores the biblical principle of the inherent dignity of every human being. The act of burial is not merely a cultural custom but a theological statement about the value of life and the hope of resurrection. As Job declares, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25). In summary, the biblical approach to burying the poor and strangers reflects a deep commitment to justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life. This practice serves as a testament to the community's responsibility to honor all individuals, regardless of their social or economic status, in life and in death. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 26:23And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 27:7 Library The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ... Symbolic Ornaments of the Church The First Theban Empire Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Letter xxii. St. Ambrose in a Letter to his Sister Gives an ... The Political Constitution of Egypt The Reaction against Egypt Carey's Last Days The Ancestral Home Of the Last Resurrection. 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 |
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