Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, burial practices were significant cultural and religious events, often attended by a large number of friends and family members. The presence of many attendees at a burial was a sign of respect and honor for the deceased, reflecting the communal nature of ancient societies.One of the most notable examples of a burial attended by many is found in the account of Jacob's death and burial in Genesis. After Jacob's passing, Joseph ordered that his father be embalmed, and a period of mourning ensued. Genesis 50:7-9 describes the procession: "So Joseph went to bury his father, and all Pharaoh’s officials went with him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Both chariots and horsemen went up with him, and it was a very large company." This passage highlights the extensive participation of both Egyptians and Israelites, indicating the high regard in which Jacob was held. Another example is the burial of King Asa, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:14 : "They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a great fire in his honor." The mention of a "great fire" suggests a significant gathering, as such practices were typically public and involved many participants. The New Testament also provides insight into burial customs, as seen in the account of Lazarus. In John 11:31 , when Mary went to meet Jesus, "the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw how quickly she got up and went out. They followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there." This indicates that a considerable number of people were present to offer support and mourn with the family, a common practice in Jewish culture. The communal aspect of burials in biblical times underscores the importance of community and shared grief. The presence of many friends and family members served not only to honor the deceased but also to provide comfort and support to the bereaved. This practice reflects the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens, as seen in Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." In summary, the attendance of numerous friends at burials in biblical narratives highlights the communal and supportive nature of these events, emphasizing the respect and honor accorded to the deceased and the shared responsibility of mourning within the community. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 50:7,9And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 3:31 Luke 7:12 Library Friends, or Quakers. Appendix V in the Directory. Particulars Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection. In Death and after Death Huss and Jerome. Huss and Jerome Letter cxviii. To Julian. Review Acts i. 12 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 |
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