Topical Encyclopedia In the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel, mourning for the dead was a significant expression of grief and respect. One of the traditional practices associated with mourning was the covering of the head. This act served as a visible sign of sorrow and humility before God and the community.The practice of covering the head during mourning is rooted in several biblical passages that illustrate the customs of the time. In 2 Samuel 15:30, we see an example of King David expressing his grief: "But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered, and he was barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went." This passage highlights the communal aspect of mourning, where covering the head was a shared expression of lamentation. Another instance is found in the book of Esther, where Mordecai mourns the decree against the Jews: "When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly" (Esther 4:1). Although the specific act of covering the head is not mentioned here, the tearing of clothes and wearing of sackcloth are parallel expressions of deep mourning, often accompanied by head covering. The prophet Ezekiel was instructed by God to refrain from traditional mourning practices, including covering the head, as a sign to the people of Israel. In Ezekiel 24:17, God commands him, "Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners." This directive underscores the significance of these customs, as their omission was meant to convey a powerful message to the Israelites. Jeremiah also references the practice in his lamentations over the destruction of Jerusalem: "The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have sprinkled dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground" (Lamentations 2:10). Here, the act of bowing the head, along with other mourning rituals, reflects the depth of their grief. The covering of the head during mourning can be understood as an outward manifestation of an inward state of heart. It symbolizes submission to God's will, recognition of human frailty, and solidarity with the bereaved. This practice, deeply embedded in the cultural and religious fabric of biblical times, served as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and the hope of divine comfort. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 19:4But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 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Resources What is the Egyptian Book of the Dead? | GotQuestions.orgIs raising the dead still possible today? | GotQuestions.org Is God dead? | GotQuestions.org Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Dead (People): The Widow's Son Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean The Dead were Washed and Laid Out The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin The Dead: Freedom from the Law The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ The Dead: Man's State by Nature The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of The Dead: Return not to This Life The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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