Topical Encyclopedia The practice of burial, as recorded in the Bible, is deeply rooted in the traditions and customs of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The origins of burial can be traced back to the earliest narratives in the Scriptures, where it is depicted as a respectful and honorable way to care for the deceased.In the book of Genesis, the first explicit mention of burial occurs with the death of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Genesis 23:19 states, "After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan." This account not only highlights the act of burial but also emphasizes the importance of securing a specific burial site, which Abraham purchased from the Hittites. This indicates a recognition of the need for a designated place to lay the dead to rest, reflecting a sense of permanence and respect. The burial of Sarah sets a precedent for subsequent patriarchs. Abraham himself is later buried in the same cave, as noted in Genesis 25:9-10 : "His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite." This continuity underscores the significance of family burial sites and the desire to maintain familial connections even in death. The practice of burial is further exemplified in the account of Jacob's death. In Genesis 49:29-31 , Jacob instructs his sons, "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, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site." Jacob's request to be buried with his ancestors highlights the cultural and spiritual importance of burial as a means of joining one's forebears in death. The burial of Joseph, as recorded in Genesis 50:24-26 , also reflects the enduring tradition of burial among the Israelites. Before his death, Joseph makes the Israelites swear to carry his bones out of Egypt and bury them in the Promised Land, demonstrating a profound connection to the land and the covenant promises of God. Throughout the Old Testament, burial is consistently portrayed as the preferred method of handling the dead, in contrast to other practices such as cremation, which were more common among neighboring pagan cultures. The act of burial is often associated with expressions of mourning and respect, as seen in the elaborate funeral processions and periods of mourning described in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, burial continues to hold significant meaning. The burial of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event, fulfilling prophetic Scriptures and underscoring the reality of His death. In Matthew 27:59-60 , it is recorded, "So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away." The burial of Jesus not only affirms the practice but also sets the stage for the resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith. The probable origin of burial in biblical times is thus deeply intertwined with cultural, familial, and theological elements. It reflects a profound respect for the body as part of God's creation and a hope in the promises of God, both in life and in death. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 4:9,10And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Index. Simon Magus. Baptism. The Persecution under Nero in which Paul and Peter were Honored at ... Jesus in the Tomb. The Book of Jubilees Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. The Israelites What did Moses Write? Index i. Of Subjects 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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