A burying-place, also referred to as a burial site or grave, holds significant importance in biblical narratives and practices. It is a location designated for the interment of the dead, reflecting both cultural customs and theological beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, burying-places are often mentioned in connection with the patriarchs and their families. The first explicit mention of a burial site is found in Genesis 23, where Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite as a family tomb. This site becomes the burial place for Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob. Genesis 23:19 states, "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."

The act of burial was a significant expression of respect and care for the deceased, and it was customary for individuals to be buried with their ancestors. This practice is evident in the instructions given by Jacob to his sons, as he requested to be buried with his fathers in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:29-32).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, burial practices continue to hold importance. The burial of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event, fulfilling prophetic scripture and underscoring the reality of His death and subsequent resurrection. Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, provides his own new tomb for Jesus' burial, as recorded in Matthew 27:59-60 : "So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away."

Cultural and Theological Significance

Burying-places in biblical times were often located outside city limits, in fields, caves, or designated areas. The practice of burial, as opposed to other forms of body disposal, reflects a belief in the sanctity of the body and the hope of resurrection. This is consistent with the biblical view of humanity as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and the expectation of bodily resurrection, as articulated in passages like 1 Corinthians 15.

The care given to burial practices also underscores the importance of honoring the deceased and providing a place for mourning and remembrance. The act of burial is seen as a final act of love and respect, acknowledging the dignity of the individual and the hope of eternal life.

Conclusion

Burying-places in the Bible are more than mere locations for the dead; they are imbued with cultural, familial, and theological significance. They serve as reminders of the transient nature of life, the continuity of family and community, and the hope of resurrection and eternal life promised through faith in God.6900. qeburah -- a grave, burial
... Word Origin from qabar Definition a grave, burial NASB Word Usage burial (3), burial
place (2), grave (7), tomb (2). burial, burying place, grave, sepulcher. ...
/hebrew/6900.htm - 6k

6913. qeber -- a grave, sepulcher
... burying place, grave, sepulcher. Or (feminine) qibrah {kib-raw'}; from qabar; a
sepulchre -- burying place, grave, sepulchre. see HEBREW qabar. 6912, 6913. ...
/hebrew/6913.htm - 6k

Appendix D.
... is certainly, and that not dependent upon any Rabbinical or Jewish views of the
subject, an inaccuracy in Stephen's statement: for the burying-place was not at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Hebron
... "There is no place, in all the land of Israel, more stony than Hebron: thence, a
burying-place of the dead is there." The Gemarists sift what that means ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 49 hebron.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... bodies. Indeed, a burying-place is not mentioned among the ten requisites
for every fully-organised Jewish community. [4800] The ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

The Revelation of Peter. Introduction.
... Introduction. The fragment here translated was discovered in 1886 by the French
Arch??ological Mission in an ancient burying place at Akhm??m in Upper Egypt. ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of peter/the revelation of peter introduction.htm

Canaan
... Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron;
Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Jesus and his Secret Friends.
... cross dying. He had no burying-place of his own, and none of his known
disciples could provide him with a tomb among the rich. It ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xii jesus and his.htm

The Burial
... The fact that he owned a garden and burying-place in the environs of Jerusalem does
not necessarily indicate that he was a resident there; for pious Jews had ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxiii the burial.htm

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
... Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness,
and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 6 the coast of.htm

The Valley of Hinnom.
... met. It was, probably, the common burying-place of the city (if so be, they
did now bury within so small a distance from the city). ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 39 the valley of.htm

Some History of Tiberias. The Jerusalem Talmud was Written There ...
... Tiberias was built by Herod the tetrarch in honour of Tiberius: and that in a common
burying-place, or in a place where many sepulchres had been. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 81 some history of.htm

Buryingplace (7 Occurrences)
...Buryingplace (7 Occurrences). ... (KJV). Genesis 47:30 But I will lie with my fathers,
and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. ...
/b/buryingplace.htm - 8k

Burying-place (19 Occurrences)
Burying-place. Buryingplace, Burying-place. Burying-places . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Buryingplace, Burying-place. Burying-places . Reference Bible
/b/burying-place.htm - 12k

Burying (22 Occurrences)
... you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace." He said ... bought
with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. ...
/b/burying.htm - 13k

Mach-pe'lah (6 Occurrences)
... which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for the full price let him give
it to me in the midst of you for a possession of a burying-place.' (See RSV). ...
/m/mach-pe'lah.htm - 8k

Site (19 Occurrences)
... living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I
may bury my dead out of my sight." (See NAS NIV). Genesis 23 ...
/s/site.htm - 12k

Bury (78 Occurrences)
... you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace." He said ... which
Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron ...
/b/bury.htm - 32k

Cave (40 Occurrences)
... 10). It was the burying-place of Sarah and of Abraham himself, also of Isaac,
Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (Genesis 49:31; 50:13). The ...
/c/cave.htm - 25k

Possession (251 Occurrences)
... is in it, were deeded to Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the ... bought
with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. ...
/p/possession.htm - 41k

Burieth (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 34:6 and He burieth him in a valley in the land of Moab, over-against
Beth-Peor, and no man hath known his buryingplace unto this day. (YLT). ...
/b/burieth.htm - 7k

Burying-places (1 Occurrence)
Burying-places. Burying-place, Burying-places. Bush . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Burying-place, Burying-places. Bush . Reference Bible.
/b/burying-places.htm - 6k

Why was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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