Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the practice of carrying the deceased on a bier was a customary part of the burial process. A bier, typically a simple wooden frame or platform, was used to transport the body to its final resting place. This practice is mentioned in several passages of Scripture, reflecting the cultural and religious customs surrounding death and burial in ancient Israel.One of the most notable references to a bier in the Bible is found in the account of the widow of Nain's son. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus encounters a funeral procession as He enters the town of Nain. The deceased, the only son of a widow, is being carried out on a bier. Moved with compassion, Jesus approaches the bier and performs a miraculous act of resurrection. The passage reads: "As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, 'Do not weep.' Then He went up and touched the bier, and those carrying it stood still. 'Young man,' He said, 'I tell you, get up!' And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother" (Luke 7:12-15). This account not only highlights the use of a bier in funeral customs but also underscores the power and authority of Jesus over life and death. The act of carrying the body on a bier was a public display of mourning and respect, allowing the community to participate in the grieving process. The use of a bier is also implied in the Old Testament, where the transportation of bodies for burial is mentioned. While specific references to a bier are not as explicit, the cultural context suggests its use. For instance, in the account of King Saul's death, his body, along with those of his sons, is retrieved and buried by the valiant men of Jabesh-gilead. The narrative implies a respectful and organized process of transporting the bodies for burial (1 Samuel 31:11-13). The practice of carrying the deceased on a bier reflects the broader biblical themes of honor, community, and the sanctity of life. It serves as a reminder of the communal nature of mourning and the hope of resurrection, as exemplified in the ministry of Jesus. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 3:31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 7:14 Library Concerning Herod's Death, and Testament, and Burial. Of the Places of Burial. The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin In Death and after Death Second Latin Form. The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ... Jesus Raises the Widow's Son. First Latin Form. Imperial Tombs. Book Nine the End of the Autobiography. ... 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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