Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, tombs were significant both culturally and religiously, serving as the final resting places for the deceased. The practice of burial in tombs is well-documented throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the customs and beliefs of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures.
Old Testament ContextTombs in the Old Testament were often hewn out of rock or constructed as caves. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were buried in the Cave of Machpelah, a site purchased by Abraham as a family burial place (
Genesis 23:19-20). This cave, located in Hebron, became a significant ancestral tomb, underscoring the importance of family burial sites.
The Israelites placed great importance on proper burial, as seen in the account of Joseph, who requested that his bones be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land (
Genesis 50:25). This act symbolized a connection to the covenant promises and the hope of future resurrection.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, tombs continue to hold cultural and religious significance. The most notable tomb is that of Jesus Christ. After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a new tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple (
Matthew 27:59-60). This tomb, carved out of rock, was sealed with a large stone, emphasizing the finality of death. However, the resurrection of Jesus from this tomb is central to Christian faith, as it signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life (
Matthew 28:5-6).
Tombs also appear in Jesus' teachings. He criticized the Pharisees and scribes, comparing them to "whitewashed tombs" that appear beautiful outwardly but are filled with dead bones and uncleanness inside (
Matthew 23:27). This metaphor highlighted the hypocrisy of maintaining an outward appearance of righteousness while harboring inner corruption.
Cultural and Religious SignificanceTombs were often located outside city walls, as contact with the dead rendered individuals ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law (
Numbers 19:16). This separation underscores the biblical theme of life and death, purity and impurity.
The practice of marking tombs to prevent accidental defilement is noted in the Gospels. Jesus' reference to "whitewashed tombs" may allude to the custom of painting tombs white to make them visible and avoid inadvertent contact (
Matthew 23:27).
Archaeological InsightsArchaeological discoveries have provided further understanding of burial practices in biblical times. Tombs from the Second Temple period, for example, often included niches or loculi where bodies were laid, and ossuaries, or bone boxes, used for secondary burial after the flesh had decayed.
Symbolism and TheologyTombs in the Bible symbolize both the finality of death and the hope of resurrection. The empty tomb of Jesus is a powerful testament to the Christian belief in life after death and the transformative power of the resurrection. This hope is echoed in the writings of the Apostle Paul, who speaks of the resurrection of the dead and the victory over death through Jesus Christ (
1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
In summary, tombs in the biblical narrative serve as poignant reminders of human mortality, the cultural practices surrounding death, and the profound theological truths of resurrection and eternal life.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in
Judges 8:32;
2 Samuel 2:32;
2 Kings 9:28;
23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (
2 Kings 21:26;
23:16;
Matthew 27:60). They are found in great numbers in and around Jerusalem and all over the land. They were sometimes whitewashed (
Matthew 23:27, 29). The body of Jesus was laid in Joseph's new rock-hewn tomb, in a garden near to Calvary. All evidence is in favour of the opinion that this tomb was somewhere near the Damascus gate, and outside the city, and cannot be identified with the so-called "holy sepulchre." The mouth of such rocky tombs was usually closed by a large stone (Hebrews golal), which could only be removed by the united efforts of several men (
Matthew 28:2; Comp.
John 11:39). (see
GOLGOTHA.)
Greek
3419. mnemeion -- a memorial, a monument... Word Origin from mneme Definition a memorial, a monument NASB Word Usage
monuments (1), tomb (30),
tombs (7). grave, sepulcher, tomb.
...5028. taphos -- a burial, hence a grave
... grave. Word Origin from thapto Definition a burial, hence a grave NASB Word
Usage grave (5),tombs (2). sepulchre, tomb. Masculine...
3418. mnema -- a memorial, a sepulcher
... Word Origin from mnaomai (in the sense of to be mindful of) Definition a memorial,
a sepulcher NASB Word Usage tomb (7),tombs (3). grave, sepulcher, tomb....
Strong's Hebrew
6913. qeber -- a grave, sepulcher... Word Origin from qabar Definition a grave, sepulcher NASB Word Usage burial (6),
burial place (1), grave (28), graves (16), tomb (8),
tombs (8).
...Library
TheTombs of Martyrs and the Cemeteries to be Transferred to the...
... Book II. Chapter XL."TheTombs of Martyrs and the Cemeteries to be
transferred to the Possession of the Churches. "Again, with...
ImperialTombs.
... CHAPTER IV. IMPERIALTOMBS. The death and burial of Augustus."His
will."The Monumentum Ancyranum."Description and history...
PapalTombs.
... CHAPTER V. PAPALTOMBS. Portraits of the early Popes."Those of SS.
Peter and Paul."Thetombs of the Popes."Their interest...
What He Likewise Wrote of the Place of Our Lord's Ascension, and...
... BOOK V CHAP. XVII. What he likewise wrote of the place of our Lord's
Ascension, and thetombs of the patriarchs. CONCERNING the...
Thus Tightening his Hold Upon Himself, Antony Departed to the...
... Life of Antony. Section 8. Thus tightening his hold upon himself, Antony
departed to thetombs? 8. Thus tightening his hold upon...
"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build theTombs of the Prophets, and...
... Homily LXXIV. "Woe unto you, because ye build thetombs of the prophets, and garnish
their sepulchers, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we...
Would that the Memory of the Fathers Would Exhale from theTombs
... Hymn VI. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from thetombs.
1. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from...
The Church is not to be Blamed for the Conduct of Bad Christians...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 34. "The Church is Not to Be Blamed
for the Conduct of Bad Christians, Worshippers ofTombs and Pictures. 74....
Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
... and the stamp of a ship on its coins suggests that its territory extended to the
Lake of Galilee], ^b straightway there met him out of thetombs ^ca certain...
Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... 44 Woe unto you! for ye are as thetombs which appear not, and the men
that walk over them know it not. [According to the Mosaic...
Thesaurus
Tombs (27 Occurrences)... Mention is made of such
tombs in Judges 8:32; 2 Samuel 2:32; 2 Kings 9:28; 23:30.
... John 11:39). (see GOLGOTHA.). Multi-Version Concordance
Tombs (27 Occurrences).
...Wo (92 Occurrences)
... For you are like whitenedtombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly
are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness....
Woe (102 Occurrences)
... For you are like whitenedtombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly
are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness....
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... Niches for lamps are found in thetombs of Tell el-Amarna (Archaeological
Survey of Egypt, Tell el-Amarna Letters, Part IV, 14)....
Graves (37 Occurrences)
... For you build thetombs of the prophets, and decorate thetombs of the righteous,
(See NIV).... Bury your dead in the best of ourtombs....
Gadara
... "The most interesting remains of Gadara are itstombs, which dot the cliffs for
a considerable distance round the city, chiefly on the north-east declivity...
Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... Niches for lamps are found in thetombs of Tell el-Amarna (Archaeological
Survey of Egypt, Tell el-Amarna Letters, Part IV, 14)....
Teachers (87 Occurrences)
... For you are like whitenedtombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly
are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (See NIV)....
Met (118 Occurrences)
... 28 When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people
possessed by demons met him there, coming out of thetombs, exceedingly fierce...
Alas (62 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:29 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you repair the
sepulchres of the Prophets and keep in order thetombs of the righteous, (WEY...
Resources
Why are there two demon-possessed men in the Gerasene tombs in Matthew, but only one in Mark and Luke? | GotQuestions.orgHow many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any reason to fear going into a cemetery / graveyard? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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