Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near Eastern context, the erection of pillars or monuments at burial sites served as a significant cultural and religious practice. This tradition is reflected in several biblical accounts, where pillars were erected to commemorate the deceased and mark their burial places. These pillars often held both a memorial and a spiritual significance, serving as lasting reminders of the individuals they honored.One of the most notable instances of a burial pillar in the Bible is found in the account of Rachel's death. In Genesis 35:19-20 , it is recorded: "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; it marks Rachel’s tomb to this day." This passage highlights Jacob's act of setting up a pillar as a memorial for his beloved wife, Rachel. The pillar served not only as a physical marker of her resting place but also as a testament to her significance in the patriarchal narrative. The practice of erecting pillars at burial sites can be understood within the broader context of ancient customs, where such markers were used to honor the dead and ensure their memory endured among the living. These pillars were often made of stone, symbolizing permanence and stability, and were strategically placed to be visible to passersby, thus perpetuating the memory of the deceased. In addition to Rachel's tomb, other biblical figures are associated with burial sites marked by significant structures or memorials. For instance, the burial of Absalom, the rebellious son of King David, is marked by a pillar he had erected during his lifetime. In 2 Samuel 18:18 , it is noted: "During his lifetime, Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley, for he said, 'I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.' He named the pillar after himself, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument." This account illustrates how pillars could also serve as self-commemorative structures, intended to preserve one's legacy. Theologically, the erection of pillars at burial sites can be seen as an expression of the biblical understanding of memory and legacy. In a culture that placed great emphasis on lineage and heritage, these markers were a means of ensuring that the accounts and contributions of individuals were not forgotten. They also reflect the belief in the enduring nature of the covenant promises, as the patriarchs and matriarchs were often buried in locations that held covenantal significance. While the practice of erecting burial pillars is not as prevalent in contemporary Christian burial customs, the underlying principles of remembrance and honor continue to resonate. The biblical accounts of burial pillars serve as a reminder of the importance of memorializing those who have gone before us, acknowledging their impact on the unfolding account of God's people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 35:20And Jacob set a pillar on her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Chapter xxxv Imperial Tombs. How Jonathan was Slain by Treachery; and How Thereupon the Jews ... Travel. A Personal Experience. Papal Tombs. Light and Shade. Chapter xxxiv The City of Benares. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Pagan Cemeteries. 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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