Topical Bible: Jerusalem was the Tomb of the Prophets

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The Tomb of the Prophets is a significant site located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, traditionally believed to be the burial place of several Old Testament prophets. This site holds considerable historical and religious importance, reflecting the deep connection between the city of Jerusalem and the prophetic tradition in the Bible.

Biblical Context

Jerusalem, often referred to as the "City of David" (2 Samuel 5:7), is central to biblical history and prophecy. It is the city where God chose to establish His name and where the Temple was built by Solomon (1 Kings 8:44). The prophets of Israel frequently spoke of Jerusalem, both in terms of its spiritual significance and its role in God's redemptive plan.

The prophets, as God's messengers, often delivered their messages in Jerusalem, calling the people to repentance and foretelling events concerning the city. For instance, Isaiah, who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, spoke extensively about Jerusalem's future (Isaiah 1:1). Similarly, Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," lamented over Jerusalem's impending destruction due to the people's unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 4:14).

The Tomb of the Prophets

The Tomb of the Prophets is traditionally associated with the burial of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets. These prophets played crucial roles in encouraging the Jewish people during the post-exilic period, particularly in the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of Jerusalem.

Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries who prophesied during the time of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, urging the people to complete the construction of the Second Temple (Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1). Malachi, whose name means "my messenger," addressed issues of spiritual complacency and called for renewed faithfulness to the covenant (Malachi 1:1).

While the exact historical accuracy of the tomb's association with these prophets is debated, the site remains a place of pilgrimage and reflection for many believers. It serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the prophets and their messages, which continue to resonate with the faithful.

Prophetic Significance of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's prophetic significance is underscored throughout Scripture. The city is often depicted as the focal point of God's future plans. In the Book of Zechariah, Jerusalem is portrayed as a city of great importance in the eschatological vision, where the Lord will return and reign (Zechariah 14:4-9). The Mount of Olives, where the Tomb of the Prophets is located, is specifically mentioned as the place where the Lord will stand upon His return (Zechariah 14:4).

Jesus Himself, in His earthly ministry, lamented over Jerusalem, recognizing its central role in God's plan and the rejection of the prophets sent to it (Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!"). This lament highlights the city's historical resistance to prophetic messages and the resulting consequences.

Conclusion

The Tomb of the Prophets in Jerusalem serves as a testament to the city's rich prophetic heritage. It stands as a symbol of the enduring impact of the prophets' messages and the central role of Jerusalem in biblical prophecy. As believers reflect on the significance of this site, they are reminded of the call to faithfulness and the hope of God's ultimate fulfillment of His promises concerning Jerusalem.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 13:33,34
Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Walk to Emmaus. Ch. 24:13-35
... said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not ... that were with us went
to the tomb, and found ... heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/l the walk to emmaus.htm

Sunday --The Day of Resurrection.
... said unto him, "Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not ... that were with us went
to the tomb, and found ... heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/sundaythe day of resurrection.htm

Third and Fourth Appearances of Jesus.
... that there could be a single man in Jerusalem who had ... with us [Peter and John] went
to the tomb, and found ... heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxvii third and fourth appearances.htm

Jerusalem
... in Mark 16:7 the young man at the tomb says, "Go ... narrative in Acts makes it plain
that in Jerusalem they settled ... which ought to be passed on the prophets is no ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/ii jerusalem.htm

In Joseph's Tomb
... by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the ... Jesus lay at rest in Joseph's tomb,
will still ... crowd dispersed, and many returned to Jerusalem greatly changed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm

The Appearance at Emmaus.
... said unto him, "Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not ... that were with us went
to the tomb, and found ... heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the appearance at emmaus.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye ... Similar blasphemies against the holy
Prophets are imputed to ... the precincts of that Mosque (of the Tomb of David ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

The Journey through Perea to Jerusalem
... As the denunciations of the older prophets ever left ... Discourse concerning the
destruction of Jerusalem and the end of ... The watch at the tomb"Matt, xxvii.62-66 ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the journey through perea.htm

The Walk to Emmaus
... the removal of Christ's body from the tomb, and also ... Him, Art Thou only a stranger
in Jerusalem, and hast ... of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 83 the walk to.htm

And While they Marvelled at That, Behold, Two Men Standing Above ...
... wept, she looked [19] down into the tomb; [3725] and ... Art thou perchance alone a stranger
to Jerusalem, since thou ... in all the sayings of the prophets that the ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section liii and while they.htm