Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, burial practices were an essential aspect of honoring the deceased, and the choice of burial location held significant cultural and religious importance. Valleys, often seen as places of transition and passage, were sometimes chosen as burial sites, reflecting both practical and symbolic considerations.Biblical References and Context The Bible provides several instances where valleys are mentioned in the context of burial. One notable example is the Valley of Achor, which became a burial site following a significant event in Israel's history. In Joshua 7:24-26 , Achan and his family were taken to the Valley of Achor after Achan's sin brought trouble upon Israel. The valley became a place of judgment and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience: "Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah—the silver, the cloak, and the bar of gold—his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and brought them up to the Valley of Achor." Another reference to burial in a valley is found in 2 Samuel 18:17-18 , where Absalom, the rebellious son of King David, was buried in a pit in the forest of Ephraim after his death: "They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and piled up a great heap of stones over him. And all Israel fled, each to his home." This account highlights the use of a valley as a burial site for someone who had fallen out of favor, emphasizing the valley's role as a place of finality and separation. Cultural and Symbolic Significance Valleys in the biblical landscape often symbolized a place of decision, testing, and transformation. The choice of a valley as a burial site could reflect these themes, serving as a metaphor for the passage from life to death and the hope of eventual resurrection. The valley, as a low place, contrasts with the high places often associated with worship and divine encounters, underscoring the humility and mortality of human life. Practically, valleys provided a suitable environment for burial due to their accessibility and the availability of soft soil for digging graves. The natural protection offered by surrounding hills or mountains could also serve as a safeguard against grave robbers and wild animals. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, burial in valleys can be seen as a reflection of the biblical understanding of death and the afterlife. The act of burial itself is an expression of faith in the resurrection, as the body is laid to rest in anticipation of being raised to new life. The valley, as a place of burial, becomes a symbol of hope amidst sorrow, pointing to the promise of redemption and restoration. In the broader biblical narrative, valleys are often associated with God's intervention and deliverance. For instance, the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37 is a powerful vision of resurrection and renewal, where God breathes life into the dead bones, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. This imagery reinforces the belief that even in death, God's power to bring life and transformation prevails. Conclusion While the Bible does not provide extensive details on the specific reasons for choosing valleys as burial sites, the instances mentioned offer insight into the cultural, practical, and theological considerations of ancient Israelite burial practices. Valleys, as places of burial, encapsulate the themes of judgment, humility, and hope, reflecting the complex interplay between life, death, and the promise of resurrection in the biblical worldview. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 7:32Therefore, behold, the days come, said the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. Nave's Topical Index Library The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued) The First Theban Empire The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Reaction against Egypt The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Notes The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty Resources Is burial the only option a Christian can consider? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is the Shroud of Turin authentic? | GotQuestions.org Burial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Burial for Criminals, Marked by Heaps Burial of Enemies, Sometimes Performed by the Conquerors Burial of Persons Embalmed, Deferred for Seventy Days Burial of Persons Hanged, Always on the Days of Execution Burial of the Friendless, a Kind Act Burial were Ceremonially Unclean Burial: An Ignominious, Compared to the Burial of an Ass Burial: Antiquity of Coffins For Burial: Antiquity of Purchasing Places For Burial: Attended by Family of the Dead Burial: Attended by Female Friends Burial: Attended by Great Lamentation At Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Burial: Attended by Numbers of Friends Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends of Jacob Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Stephen Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain Burial: Burial of Gog (Multitude) Requiring Seven Months Burial: Burying Places for Poor and Strangers Burial: Burying Places in Caves Burial: Burying Places in Gardens Burial: Burying Places in Houses Burial: Burying Places in Valleys Burial: Burying Places of Kings Burial: Burying Places with Shelves Burial: Burying Places: A Place of Honor Burial: Burying Places: And Inscriptions Burial: Burying Places: Anyone Who Touched, Were Unclean Burial: Burying Places: Bought by Abraham Burial: Burying Places: Closed With Stones Burial: Burying Places: Demoniacs Lived In Burial: Burying Places: Family Burial: Burying Places: Joseph Burial: Burying Places: King Saul's Burial: Burying Places: Marked With Pillars, Rachel's Burial: Burying Places: On Hills Burial: Burying Places: Painted and Garnished Burial: Burying Places: Refused to the Dead Burial: Burying Places: Robbed Burial: Burying Places: Sealed Burial: Burying Places: Under Trees, Deborah's Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Jacob Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Joseph Burial: Frequently Prepared and Pointed out During Life Burial: Held in High Veneration Burial: Illustrative of Regeneration Burial: Members of a Family Interred in the Same Burial: Often Desecrated by Idolatry Burial: Often Took Place Immediately After Death Burial: Orations Sometimes Made At Burial: Places Used for Caves Hewn out of Rocks Burial: Places Used for Gardens Burial: Places Used for Houses of the Deceased Burial: Places Used for Natural Caves Burial: Places Used for The City of David for the Kings of Judah Burial: Places Used for Tops of the Hills Burial: Places Used for Under Trees Burial: Privation of, Considered a Calamity Burial: Privation of, Threatened As a Punishment Burial: Provided for Aliens and Strangers Burial: Provided for the Common People Burial: Sometimes had Inscriptions Burial: Sometimes not Apparent Burial: The Body Was: Anointed For Burial: The Body Was: Carried on a Bier To Burial: The Body Was: Preserved With Spices Burial: The Body Was: Sometimes Burned Before Burial: The Body Was: Washed Before Burial: The Body Was: Wound in Linen For Burial: The Jews Anxious to be Interred in Their Family Places of Burial: The Right of all Nations Burial: Visited by Sorrowing Friends Related Terms |
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