Topical Encyclopedia In the Scriptures, burial is not only a literal act of interring a body in the ground but also carries significant figurative meanings. These symbolic interpretations often relate to spiritual truths and moral teachings, reflecting the transformative aspects of faith and the believer's relationship with God.1. Death to Sin and New Life in Christ: One of the most profound figurative uses of burial in the New Testament is its association with the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:4 , the Apostle Paul writes, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." Here, burial symbolizes the believer's death to sin and the old self, and the emergence into a new life of righteousness and holiness through the power of Christ's resurrection. 2. Spiritual Renewal and Transformation: Colossians 2:12 further elaborates on this theme: "And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead." The act of being buried with Christ in baptism signifies the complete transformation and renewal of the believer, emphasizing the transition from spiritual death to life. 3. Separation from the World: Figuratively, burial can also represent the believer's separation from worldly values and systems. In Galatians 6:14 , Paul declares, "But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The imagery of burial here suggests a decisive break from the past and the world's influence, as the believer is set apart for God's purposes. 4. Hope of Resurrection: The figurative use of burial also points to the hope of resurrection and eternal life. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 , Paul explains, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." The burial of the physical body is likened to the sowing of a seed, which will be raised in a glorified form, symbolizing the believer's future resurrection and transformation. 5. Judgment and Consequence: In a different context, burial can also symbolize judgment and the consequences of sin. In the Old Testament, the burial of the wicked is sometimes depicted as a sign of divine judgment. For instance, in Jeremiah 22:19 , the prophet speaks of King Jehoiakim's ignominious end: "He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem." This imagery underscores the disgrace and finality of divine judgment upon those who reject God's ways. In summary, the figurative use of burial in the Bible encompasses themes of death to sin, spiritual renewal, separation from the world, hope of resurrection, and divine judgment. These symbolic meanings enrich the believer's understanding of their faith journey and the transformative power of God's grace. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 22:16What have you here? and whom have you here, that you have hewed you out a sepulcher here, as he that hews him out a sepulcher on high, and that engraves an habitation for himself in a rock? Nave's Topical Index Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12 Library The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ... The Death of John and Philip. Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... False Teachings of the Apostasy. John xix. 16-18 Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory. Sixth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Christian Living. Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman. Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61. Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella. 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 |