Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the anointing of a body for burial was a significant practice, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the Israelites and early Christians. This act of anointing was not merely a ritual of respect and honor for the deceased but also held spiritual and symbolic meanings.
Old Testament ContextThe practice of anointing the body for burial is not explicitly detailed in the Old Testament, but the use of anointing oils and spices is well-documented. Anointing with oil was a common practice for consecrating priests, kings, and sacred objects (
Exodus 30:25-30). While the specific anointing of bodies for burial is not mentioned, the use of spices and oils in burial practices can be inferred from the care given to the dead, as seen in the burial of Jacob (
Genesis 50:2-3) and the preparation of spices for the burial of Asa (
2 Chronicles 16:14).
New Testament ContextThe New Testament provides more explicit references to the anointing of bodies for burial. The most notable instance is the anointing of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, we find accounts of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, which He interprets as preparation for His burial. In
Matthew 26:12 , Jesus says, "By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial." This act is significant as it foreshadows His impending death and burial, highlighting the importance of anointing in the burial process.
After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took His body and prepared it for burial with a mixture of myrrh and aloes, as was the Jewish custom (
John 19:39-40). This preparation involved wrapping the body with spices, which served both to honor the deceased and to mitigate the odor of decay.
Cultural and Religious SignificanceThe anointing of the body for burial in biblical times was a gesture of love, respect, and devotion. It was a way to honor the deceased and acknowledge their life and contributions. The use of costly spices and oils signified the value placed on the individual and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
In the case of Jesus, the anointing for burial also carried prophetic significance. It underscored His role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning His death and resurrection. The act of anointing, therefore, was not only a preparation for burial but also a testament to the faith and hope in God's redemptive plan.
ConclusionThe anointing of the body for burial, as seen in the biblical narrative, reflects a deep reverence for the deceased and a profound belief in the afterlife. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness of life and the hope of resurrection, central tenets of the Christian faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 26:12For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Anointed forBurial.
... when the head and the feet were alikeanointed with oil.... the hour of my decease;
anointing mybody before death, and thus preparing it forburial." It is...
Texts Explained; Secondly, Psalm Xlv. 7, 8 Whether the Words...
... He Himself gives, but the flesh assumed by Him which isanointed in Him... others [2092]
the spices which they had prepared' for theburial of the Lord'sbody....
Departure from Ireland. Death andBurial at Clairvaux.
... He wasanointed; and when he had received the viaticum... began to break out over his
wholebody, that, as... pleased,[917] Malachy is carried to hisburial[918] in...
The Cruse of Ointment
... could. She hadanointed Hisbody beforehand for theburial, and indeed with
clear intention "to prepare Him forburial" (Matt.26:12)....
Effects of Baptism and of Chrism.
... sanctifies all the organs of sense: "thebody isanointed...anointed him, and he was
calledanointed,' evidently from... the water is instead of theburial, and the...
And Jesus Six Days Before the Passover...
... [2677] And for this cause, when she poured [2678] this ointment on mybody, it is
as if she did it for myburial, [17] andanointed mybody beforehand....
Whether it was Fitting for Christ to be Buried?
... our Lord said (Mat.26:10) of the woman whoanointed Him: "She... Mat.26:12)"-"for she,
in pouring this ointment upon Mybody, hath done it for Myburial."....
Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... For in that she poured this ointment upon mybody, she did it to prepare me for
burial. ^b 8 She hath done what she could; hathanointed mybody beforehand for...
The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and...
... 2642] and thebody washed,anointed, and wrapped in... already prevailed, of covering
thebody with metal... distinguished the mourning before from that afterburial....
(On the Mysteries. Ii. )
... 3. Then, when ye were stripped, ye wereanointed with exorcised oil... soul was really
separated from Hisbody, and realburial, for His holybody was wrapt...
Resources
What does the Bible say about cremation? Should Christians be cremated? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that Jesus was crucified above the tomb of Adam? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are the circumstances of the death of Moses so mysterious? | GotQuestions.orgBurial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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