Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the practice of burying family members together was a common tradition, reflecting the importance of family unity and continuity even in death. This practice is evident throughout the Scriptures, where family burial sites served as a testament to familial bonds and heritage.Abraham and Sarah The patriarch Abraham set a precedent for family burials when he purchased the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife, Sarah. Genesis 23:19 states, "After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan." This site became the family tomb, as Abraham himself was later buried there, along with Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (Genesis 25:9-10; 49:29-31; 50:13). Jacob and His Sons Jacob, also known as Israel, expressed a strong desire to be buried with his ancestors. In Genesis 49:29-30 , he charged his sons, saying, "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre in the land of Canaan, the field Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site." This request underscores the significance of family burial sites as places of ancestral gathering and remembrance. Joseph's Bones Joseph, though initially buried in Egypt, made the Israelites swear to carry his bones back to the Promised Land. In Exodus 13:19 , it is recorded, "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, 'God will surely attend to you, and you must carry my bones up with you from this place.'" Eventually, Joseph's bones were interred at Shechem, in the plot of land Jacob had purchased (Joshua 24:32), signifying his desire to be united with his family in death. David and His Descendants King David was buried in the City of David, a tradition that continued with his descendants. 1 Kings 2:10 notes, "Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David." This practice of royal family burials in a designated site highlights the continuity of the Davidic line and the importance of maintaining a familial resting place. New Testament References In the New Testament, the burial of family members together is less explicitly documented, but the cultural practice persisted. The burial of Jesus in a new tomb, as described in Matthew 27:59-60 , reflects the Jewish customs of the time, where family tombs were often used for multiple generations. Although Jesus was buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, the communal aspect of burial practices is evident. The biblical tradition of family burials underscores the enduring nature of familial relationships and the hope of being gathered with one's ancestors. This practice reflects a deep-seated belief in the continuity of family lines and the importance of honoring one's heritage through burial customs. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 25:10The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 49:31 2 Samuel 2:32 Library Papal Tombs. Christian Cemeteries. Appendix V in the Directory. The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City. The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) His Marriage with Martha Savory. The First Theban Empire The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Last Days of the Old Eastern World The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire 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 |
    |