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◄ Burial: Sometimes not Apparent►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, burial was a significant practice, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the Israelites and surrounding nations. The act of burying the dead was seen as a way to honor the deceased and provide a proper resting place for the body. However, there are instances in the Bible where burial is not explicitly mentioned or is not apparent, leading to various interpretations and discussions among scholars and theologians.

Old Testament Instances

1.Enoch and Elijah: Two notable figures in the Old Testament, Enoch and Elijah, did not experience death in the traditional sense, and thus, their burials are not recorded.Genesis 5:24 states, "Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him away." Similarly,2 Kings 2:11 describes Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. These accounts highlight exceptions to the typical burial customs of the time.

2.Moses: The burial of Moses is shrouded in mystery.Deuteronomy 34:5-6 records, "So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but to this day no one knows the place of his burial." The divine involvement in Moses' burial and the unknown location emphasize the unique nature of his death and burial.

3.The Unburied Dead: In some instances, the Bible speaks of individuals who were not buried, often as a sign of judgment or disgrace. For example, in1 Kings 14:11 , it is prophesied concerning Jeroboam's house, "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air." This lack of burial signifies divine judgment and dishonor.

New Testament Considerations

1.Judas Iscariot: The fate of Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus is a subject of debate.Matthew 27:5 states, "So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."Acts 1:18 provides a different perspective, noting that Judas fell headlong, and his body burst open. The absence of a clear burial account for Judas reflects the complexity and tragic nature of his end.

2.Ananias and Sapphira: InActs 5, the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira are recorded, but their burials are only briefly mentioned.Acts 5:6 notes, "Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him." The swift burial underscores the seriousness of their deceit and the immediate consequences of their actions.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The instances where burial is not apparent in the Bible often carry significant cultural and theological implications. In ancient Israelite society, burial was not only a familial duty but also a religious obligation. The absence of burial or the lack of detail regarding burial practices can indicate divine intervention, judgment, or a unique relationship with God.

Theologically, these accounts invite reflection on the nature of life, death, and the afterlife. They challenge readers to consider the sovereignty of God over life and death and the ultimate hope of resurrection and eternal life promised in Scripture. As such, the topic of burial, especially when not apparent, serves as a profound reminder of the mysteries of God's ways and the hope found in His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 11:44
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Three Days of the Resurrection, in which Also the Ratio of...
... might be spoken to us "For ye weresometimes darkness, but... But from the evening of
theburial to the dawn of... Fornot unfitly do we liken the spirit to the day...

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the...
... without the least suspicion that it wasnot so... the dreadful mistake of so regarding
itsometimes occurs... Whereburial occurred, as in the East, immediately after...

Psalm XXXVIII.
... it is asked, and there is nothingapparent, but the... I will appoint the wicked for
Hisburial" [995] (for... But sinners are in this lifesometimes not scourged at...

Chapter xxxv
... very definitely for a reason which will soon becomeapparent....not fall of itself
we maynot be able...Sometimes burial sites enjoy even the respect of strangers....

Joseph of Arimathea
... evidence of the reality of theburial and of... climbing a difficult mountain, his guide
sometimes rounds a... unaccustomed to such an expedition, daresnot look down...

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 351]277; now ranked above the Macedonians, [352]278;apparent discrepance of the...
Evil,not made by God, [564]76; encouragement of itsometimes more than the...

Genesis
... His wife died, and for aburial-place he... proof that the book isnot an original... incidents,
and the occasional inconsistencies,sometimes between different...

Book x. It is Manifest that There is Nothing which Men have ever...
... Jesus Christ, His suffering, death, andburial, He also... worship of the Almighty,
and doesnot suffer our... sight is strained and weakened: andsometimes when we...

Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life
... We are buried with Christ, and of thisburial baptism is...Sometimes he cannot help
it; he will burst if his soul... Nay, donot gag him; let him sing his new song....

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
... Yousometimes are restless in these meetings,not knowing how... Let usnot mourn, then,
as those who have no... 5: This is one of the earliestburial-grounds which...