Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, gardens were often used as places for burial, serving as serene and sacred spaces for the interment of the dead. The use of gardens for burial is rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East, where gardens symbolized life, beauty, and the hope of resurrection.Biblical Examples: 1. The Garden Tomb of Jesus: One of the most significant examples of a garden used for burial is the tomb of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus was buried in a garden near the site of His crucifixion. John 19:41 states, "Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid." This garden tomb, owned by Joseph of Arimathea, was a place of tranquility and new beginnings, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ. 2. The Burial of Lazarus: Another notable instance is the burial of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, who was laid to rest in a tomb that may have been situated in a garden setting. While the specific location is not detailed, the narrative in John 11 suggests a peaceful and private area, typical of garden burials of the time. 3. Old Testament References: The Old Testament also alludes to gardens as places of burial. In 2 Kings 21:18 , it is recorded that King Manasseh "was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza." This indicates that royal and private gardens were sometimes chosen as burial sites, reflecting the status and personal significance of the deceased. Cultural and Theological Significance: Gardens as burial places carry deep theological symbolism. In the biblical narrative, gardens are often associated with the presence of God, as seen in the Garden of Eden, where humanity first encountered the divine. The use of gardens for burial thus evokes themes of paradise, restoration, and eternal life. The choice of a garden for Jesus' burial underscores the hope of resurrection and the promise of new life. Gardens, with their cycles of growth and renewal, serve as a powerful metaphor for the Christian belief in life after death. The peaceful and beautiful setting of a garden reflects the Christian hope of a future resurrection and the ultimate restoration of creation. Practical Considerations: In ancient Israel, gardens were practical choices for burial due to their proximity to family homes and their enclosed, private nature. They provided a secure and respectful environment for the deceased, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The use of gardens for burial also allowed families to maintain a close connection to their loved ones, as these spaces were often visited and tended to regularly. Overall, the use of gardens as burial places in the Bible highlights the intersection of cultural practices, theological beliefs, and the natural world, offering a glimpse into the ways in which the ancient Israelites and early Christians understood life, death, and the hope of resurrection. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 21:18,26And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 19:41 Library The African Rome Egypt A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem. Kedron Pagan Cemeteries. The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ... Period i. The Apostolic Age: to Circa AD 100 Travel. A Personal Experience. In Death and after Death Imperial Tombs. Resources What does the Bible say about cremation? Should Christians be cremated? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that Jesus was crucified above the tomb of Adam? | GotQuestions.org Why are the circumstances of the death of Moses so mysterious? | 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 |