Topical Encyclopedia
A funeral, within the context of the Bible, is a ceremony marking the death of an individual, often involving specific rites and customs that reflect the beliefs and traditions of the community. The Bible provides various accounts and references to funerals, offering insight into the practices and theological significance of death and burial in biblical times.
Old Testament PracticesIn the Old Testament, funerals were significant events, often involving mourning, lamentation, and specific burial practices. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were buried in family tombs, indicating the importance of family lineage and heritage.
Genesis 23:19 records the burial of Sarah: "After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan."
Mourning customs included tearing one's garments, wearing sackcloth, and placing ashes on the head. These acts were expressions of deep sorrow and respect for the deceased. In
Genesis 37:34, Jacob mourns for his son Joseph: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days."
New Testament InsightsThe New Testament also provides accounts of funerals and the early Christian perspective on death. The funeral of Lazarus, as described in
John 11, highlights Jesus' compassion and power over death. Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb, demonstrating His empathy and humanity (
John 11:35). This event also underscores the Christian hope in the resurrection, as Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (
John 11:25).
The burial of Jesus is another significant event, illustrating the fulfillment of prophecy and the customs of the time. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, requested His body from Pilate and laid it in a new tomb (
Matthew 27:57-60). This act of devotion and respect reflects the honor given to the deceased.
Theological SignificanceFunerals in the Bible are not only cultural practices but also carry deep theological meaning. They serve as reminders of the transient nature of life and the hope of eternal life through faith in God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 acknowledges the seasons of life, including death: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die."
The Christian view of death is transformed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering believers the assurance of eternal life.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 encourages Christians not to grieve as those without hope, for "we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."
Cultural and Historical ContextFuneral practices in biblical times varied among different cultures and periods. The Israelites, for example, typically buried their dead, while other cultures practiced cremation or other forms of body disposal. The emphasis on burial in the Bible reflects the belief in the sanctity of the body and the hope of resurrection.
In summary, funerals in the Bible are rich with cultural, historical, and theological significance. They reflect the human experience of loss and mourning while pointing to the hope and promise of life beyond death through faith in God.
ATS Bible Dictionary
FuneralSeeBURIAL andSEPULCHRE.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Burying was among the Jews the only mode of disposing of corpses (
Genesis 23:19;
25:9;
35:8, 9, etc.).
The first traces of burning the dead are found in1 Samuel 31:12. The burning of the body was affixed by the law of Moses as a penalty to certain crimes (Leviticus 20:14;21:9).
To leave the dead unburied was regarded with horror (1 Kings 13:22;14:11;16:4;21:24, etc.).
In the earliest times of which we have record kinsmen carried their dead to the grave (Genesis 25:9;35:29;Judges 16:31), but in later times this was done by others (Amos 6:16).
Immediately after decease the body was washed, and then wrapped in a large cloth (Acts 9:37;Matthew 27:59;Mark 15:46). In the case of persons of distinction, aromatics were laid on the folds of the cloth (John 19:39; Comp.John 12:7).
As a rule the burial (q.v.) took place on the very day of the death (Acts 5:6, 10), and the body was removed to the grave in an open coffin or on a bier (Luke 7:14). After the burial a funeral meal was usually given (2 Samuel 3:35;Jeremiah 16:5, 7;Hosea 9:4).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The solemn rites used in the disposition of a dead human body, whether such disposition be by interment, burning, or otherwise; esp., the ceremony or solemnization of interment; obsequies; burial; -- formerly used in the plural.
2. (n.) The procession attending the burial of the dead; the show and accompaniments of an interment.
3. (n.) A funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural.
4. (n.) Pertaining to a funeral; used at the interment of the dead; as, funeral rites, honors, or ceremonies.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FUNERALfu'-ner-al.
SeeBURIAL.
Greek
2290. thapto -- to bury... root Definition to bury NASB Word Usage buried (7), bury (4). bury. A primary verb;
to celebrate
funeral rites, ie Inter -- bury. (ethapsan) -- 3 Occurrences.
...Strong's Hebrew
6969. qonen -- to chant an elegy or dirge... lament, mourning woman. A primitive root; to strike a musical note, ie Chant or
wail (at a
funeral) -- lament, mourning woman. 6968, 6969. qonen. 6970 .
...Library
Funeral Hymn.
...FUNERAL HYMN.FUNERAL HYMN. 8,8,8,8. "Then shall the dust return to the Earth as
it was; and the Spirit shall return to God Who gave it.""Eccles.12:7....
At aFuneral.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 578. " At aFuneral. 578. LM Fergus. At aFuneral.
1 Farewell! what power of words can tell The sorrows...
At an IrishFuneral
... Chapter 8. Wesley and the Soldiers; In Ireland and Wales Again; Wesley
Burned in Effigy; Wesley as an Editor At an IrishFuneral....
At aFuneral.
... HYMN SUNG AT AFUNERAL. HYMN SUNG AT AFUNERAL. 8,8,8,4,8. "Here we have no continuing
city, but we seek one to come.""Heb.13:14. "Wohlauf! wohlan!...
Kalli'sFuneral
... Kalli'sFuneral. The remains of Kallihirua were borne to the grave by his
fellow-students, and followed by the Vice-Principal of...
OfFuneral Pomp.
... LXXIV."OfFuneral Pomp. Thou who seekest to be careful of the pomp of death art
in error. As a servant of God, thou oughtest even in death to please Him....
Funeral Oration on Meletius .
... V."Oratorical Works.Funeral Oration on Meletius . The number... us! Then
we chanted an epithalamium, but now afuneral dirge! You...
AFuneral Thought.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:63. Afuneral thought.
1 Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound, My ears attend...
His OwnFuneral Sermon
... His OwnFuneral Sermon. A Sermon (No.2243). Intended for Reading on
Lord's-Day, February 14th, 1892,. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At...
TheFuneral Pile is Erected.
... Chapter XIII."Thefuneral pile is erected.... Immediately then they surrounded him with
those substances which had been prepared for thefuneral pile....
Thesaurus
Funeral (3 Occurrences)... After the burial a
funeral meal was usually given (2 Samuel 3:35; Jeremiah 16:5,
7; Hosea 9:4).
... 3. (n.) A
funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural.
...Dirge (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A piece of music of a mournful character, to accompany
funeral rites; afuneral hymn. Multi-Version Concordance...
Abel-mizraim (1 Occurrence)
... meadow of Egypt"): A name given to "the threshing floor of Atad," East of the Jordan
and North of the Dead Sea, because Joseph and hisfuneral party from Egypt...
Abelmizraim (1 Occurrence)
... meadow of Egypt"): A name given to "the threshing floor of Atad," East of the Jordan
and North of the Dead Sea, because Joseph and hisfuneral party from Egypt...
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... lamps are found in the tombs and burial places throughout Palestine and Syria, and
they were evidently deposited there in connection with thefuneral rites....
Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... lamps are found in the tombs and burial places throughout Palestine and Syria, and
they were evidently deposited there in connection with thefuneral rites....
Keener (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A professional mourner who wails at afuneral.
Multi-Version Concordance Keener (2 Occurrences). Hebrews...
Oration (1 Occurrence)
... treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse
having reference to some special occasion, as afuneral, an anniversary...
Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... are the chief: (1) To set in order, arrange, prepare: "All things that we ordained
festival, Turn from their office to blackfuneral." -Shakespeare, Romeo and...
Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... are the chief: (1) To set in order, arrange, prepare: "All things that we ordained
festival, Turn from their office to blackfuneral." -Shakespeare, Romeo and...
Resources
What should be the focus of a Christian funeral? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a eulogy? | GotQuestions.orgHow many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgFuneral: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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