Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the practice of burial was not only a means of honoring the deceased but also a reflection of the community's values and beliefs regarding life, death, and the afterlife. The provision of burial for aliens and strangers is a testament to the inclusive and compassionate aspects of ancient Israelite society, as well as the broader biblical narrative.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides several instances where the burial of aliens and strangers is addressed, reflecting the Israelites' understanding of justice and mercy. In Genesis 23, Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from the Hittites to bury his wife Sarah illustrates the respect and formal negotiations involved in securing a burial site, even for a foreigner in the land. This account underscores the importance of burial as a dignified and necessary rite, regardless of one's status as an alien. The Mosaic Law also contains provisions that reflect a concern for the proper treatment of foreigners. In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, the Israelites are reminded of God's love for the foreigner, commanding them to love the stranger, "for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt." While this passage does not explicitly mention burial, it sets a precedent for the fair and humane treatment of aliens, which would naturally extend to burial practices. New Testament Context The New Testament continues to reflect the values of compassion and inclusion. Although there are fewer direct references to the burial of aliens and strangers, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize love and care for all people, transcending ethnic and national boundaries. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates the importance of showing mercy to those who are different from us, which can be seen as an extension of the care that would include burial practices. Cultural and Historical Considerations In ancient Near Eastern cultures, burial was a significant rite that ensured the deceased's proper transition to the afterlife. The Israelites, like their neighbors, placed great importance on burial, as seen in the detailed accounts of the burials of patriarchs and kings. The provision of burial for aliens and strangers would have been a reflection of the community's commitment to justice and righteousness, as well as an acknowledgment of the shared humanity of all people. Theological Implications Theologically, the provision of burial for aliens and strangers can be seen as an expression of the biblical principle of imago Dei, the belief that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This belief underpins the call to treat all individuals with dignity and respect, including in death. The act of providing burial for foreigners is a tangible expression of the love and justice that God commands His people to uphold. In summary, the biblical provision for the burial of aliens and strangers highlights the values of compassion, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their origin. This practice reflects the broader biblical themes of love for neighbor and the inherent dignity of every human being. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 27:7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library 1 Timothy v. 8 The Letter of the Church of Rome P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ... The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ... Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... 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 |
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