GRAVE
grave
An excavation in the earth for the burial of a corpse. It was called loculus in the times of the catacombs, and was dug or hewn into the tufa or porcelain earth outside the city walls. The Church admits single and ancestral graves and family plots for members of the same family. Where there is no Catholic cemetery, the Church requires that a separate space be granted for the burial of Catholics, and, if this is refused, the single graves must be blessed. No ownership can be claimed by individuals.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Grave
(properly , ke’ber, a sepulcher; Greek or , a tomb, as a monument SEE BURIAL ) is also in some passages of the common vers. the rendering of , sheol’, , hades SEE SHEOL; SEE HADES; once of , shach’ath (Job 33:22), the pit or open sepulcher, as elsewhere rendered; and once erroneously of , be, prayer (Job 30:24). SEE TOMB.
Sepulchres among the ancient Hebrews were, as still among all Orientals (Schweigger, Reisen, page 199; Shaw, Travels, page 192; Hasselquist, page 35 sq.), outside of cities (see Lightfoot, Hor. Heb. page 167; according to the Talmud, Baba Bathra, 2:9, at least fifty yards distant from the city walls), in the open field (Luk 7:12; Joh 11:30; compare Cicero, Leg. 2:23; ad famil. 4:12, 9; Plutarch, Arat. 53; Theocr. 7:10; Homer, Il. 7:435 sq.; Michaelis, Mos. Recht. 4:307). Only kings (1Ki 2:10; 1Ki 16:6; 1Ki 16:28; 2Ki 10:35; 2Ki 13:9; 2Ch 16:14; 2Ch 28:27) and prophets (1Sa 25:1; 1Sa 28:3) were allowed to be buried within cities (Harmer,Obs. 2:129 sq.; compare Thucyd. 5:11; Potter, Gr. Ant. 2:427 sq.; when it is said that any one was interred in his house [1Ki 2:34; 2Ch 33:20], we must understand the grounds or environs of the house to be meant, i.e., the garden [comp. Num 19:16]; it was otherwise among the ancient Romans, Isidore, Orig. 10:2). Generally the graves were pits or grottoes (Gen 23:17; Gen 35:8; 1Sa 31:13; 2Ki 21:18; 2Ki 21:26; Joh 19:41; comp. Strabo, 14:636; Virgil, AEn. 11:851), shady spots under trees or in, gardens being preferred (Eck, De sepulcris in hortis, Meining. 1:738 sq.; Walch, Observ. in Matthew ex inscript. page 89); and these excavations were either natural, with which Palestine abounds, SEE CAVE, or oftener artificial, dug for this purpose (and walled up; see Knobel, Jesa. page 99), or hewn in rocks (Isa 22:16; 2Ch 16:14; Mat 27:60; Joh 11:38; Luk 23:53), sometimes very spacious and with numerous side-passages and chambers (Baba Bathra, 6:8); there are also instances of graves sunk perpendicularly in the ground (Luk 11:44), and such were occasionally situated on hills (2Ki 23:16; Ecomp. Isidore, Origg. 2:11). Not only in the case of kings and nobles (2Ki 9:28; 2Ch 32:33; 2Ch 35:24; 1Ma 2:70; 1Ma 9:19; 1Ma 13:25, etc.), but in every good family (Gen 23:20; Jdg 8:32; 2Sa 2:32; 1Ki 13:22; Tob 14:12; 1Ma 2:70), were there hereditary vaults (it was a deep disgrace to the remains of persons of distinction to be buried among those of the populace, Jer 26:23); and it appears the very natural desire of those dying, abroad to repose in such family cemeteries (Gen 47:29; Gen 1:5; 2Sa 19:37; 1Ki 13:22; 1Ki 13:31; Neh 2:3; comp. Sophocles, Electra, 1131 sq.; Anthol. Gr. 3:25, 75; Justin. 3:5; see Zeibich, De sepultura in terra sancta a Jacobo et Josepho expetita, Viteb. 1742 ; Semler, De patriarcharum ut in Palest. sepelis-entur desiderio,, Halae, 1756; Carpzov, in Ugolini Thesaur. 33). But whoever had not such a hereditary sepulcher wished none the less to rest in the land of his fathers (2Ma 5:10), in the sacred.soil (Josephus, Ant. 10:4, 3). For the poor were (later) public burial-places assigned (Jer 26:23; 2Ki 23:6; comp. Mat 27:7). As a protection chiefly against the carnivorous jackals (Pliny, 8:44), the graveswere closed with doors or large stones (Mat 27:60; Mat 28:2; Joh 11:38); and in the month Adar (March), after the rainy reason (Shekal. 1:1), they were (in the post-exilian period) whitewashed afresh (Maaser Sheni, 5:1), in order to warn the great multitudes of strangers visiting the Passover against contact (Mat 23:27; see Lightfoot and Schttgen, ad: loc.; comp. Walch, Observ. in Matthew ex inscr. page 65 sq. and Reussteuch, De sepulcris calae notatis, in Ugolini Thesaur. 33), which caused pollution (Num 19:16; comp. Joseplius, Ant. 18:2, 3). There are stilt many such sepulchral grottoes in Palestine, Syria, and Idumsea generally (see Pococke, East, 2:70, 100, etc.;. Burckhardt, 1:220 sq.; Robinson, 1:78 sq.; 2:175 sq., 663; 3:317, 692). They descend sometimes vertically, sometimes horizontally in the earth, the former by steps. Within are usually found several chambers orapartments, of which one sometimes lies deeper than another. Most of them have on the side- walls cells, six, to seven feet long, in which the bodies are deposited, Among those found at Jerusalem, for which tradition assigns special names and origin, are the Sepulchres of the Kings (perhaps derived from 2Ch 21:20; 2Ch 28:27; compare Neh 3:16; Act 2:29; see Niebuhr, Travels, 3:63; Rosenmller, Alterth. II, 2:269.sq.; Robinson, 1:398 sq. 2:183; compare Hottinger, Cippi Hebraici, Heidelb. 1659 [also in Ugolini Thesaur. 33]). They consist of an anteroom and seven chambers, lying on the north of the city, east of the main road to Nablus, and seem to have belonged tothe nobility, and not merely, if at all, to the ancient Jewish kings. SEE JERUSALEM.
Far more imposingare the sepulchres of Egypt, and especially celebrated by the ancients is the tomb of king Osymandyas (Diod. Sic. 1:47 sq.), of which the ruins are still extant (Pococke, 1:159). Above the tombs were from the earliest times erected monuments (Gen 35:20, often on the Phoenician grave-stones), originally of rough stone or earth (Job 21:32; comp. Homer, II. 23:255 sq.; Virgil, AEn. 6:365), later in the form of splendid mausolea (1Ma 13:27 sq.; Josephus, Ant. 7:10, 3; 20:4, 3; comp. Pausanias, 8:16, 3; see Salmasius, ad Solin. page 851; Zorn, in the Nov. Miscell. Lips. 5:218 sq.) with various devices ( 2Sa 18:18). To open a grave forcibly in order to abstract the ornaments (Josephus, Ant. 15:3, 4; 13:8, 4), weapons (Eze 32:27; 1Ma 13:29; Curtius, 10:1, 31), or other articles deposited with the body(comp. Sept. Vat. at Jos 24:30; Jerome, ad Jeremiah 7; Rosenmiiller, Morgenl. 3:10), or even the bones. of the interred, was in all antiquity regarded as a. shameful piece of barbarity (Jer 8:1; Bar 2:24; comp. Diod. Sic. 13:86; 14:63; see Wachter, Ueber Ehescheid. bei d. Romans page 209 sq.; Abegg, Strafrechtsweis. page 726 sq.). That the relics of the dead were thus pillaged for magical purposes (Apul. Metam. 2, page 38, Bip.; Horace, Epod. 14:47 sq.; Lucan, 6:533; comp. Brouckhus. ad Tibull. 1:2, 47 sq.) does not appear very clearly from Isa 65:4. There are scriptural traces of the popular idea that graves were the residence of daemons (comp. Mat 8:28), who were perhaps connected with soothsaying (Act 16:16); others, however, refer such allusions to the superstitious notions respecting offering to the manes of the departed (inferie, februationes; compare Athen. 3:98; Macrob. Sat. 1:13, page 263, Bip.; Barhebr. Chron. page 256), or a species of necromancy practiced in such spots (see Gregor. Nazianz. Or. in Julian. page 91; Otho, Lex. Rabb. page 171). The graves of the prophets and holy persons were (in post-exilian times) sedulously repaired and adorned (Mat 23:29; see Schottgen, Hor. Hebr. 1:205; Eckhard, De cedificatione et exornzatione sepulcrorum, Jena, 1746), a tribute of reverence (and eventually of grateful reparation, Mat 23:30 sq.), which was not unknown likewise in Greek antiquity (AElian, Var. Hist. 12:7; Diod. Siculus, 11:33; Athen. 13:593; Suetonius, Octav. 18; the Greeks even anointed the tombs of honored men, Plutarch, Alex. c. 15), and still general in the East (Kaimpfer, Amaen. page 109, sq.; Robinson, 2:708). See generally Nicolai, De sepulcris Hebr. (L.B. 1706; also in Ugolino, 33); Fuhrmann, Hist. Untersuch ub. der Begra-bnissplatze der Alten (Halle, 1800). SEE SEPULCHRE.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Grave
Among the ancient Hebrews graves were outside of cities in the open field (Luke 7:12; John 11:30). Kings (1 Kings 2:10) and prophets (1 Sam. 25:1) were generally buried within cities. Graves were generally grottoes or caves, natural or hewn out in rocks (Isa. 22:16; Matt. 27:60). There were family cemeteries (Gen. 47:29; 50:5; 2 Sam. 19:37). Public burial-places were assigned to the poor (Jer. 26:23; 2 Kings 23:6). Graves were usually closed with stones, which were whitewashed, to warn strangers against contact with them (Matt. 23:27), which caused ceremonial pollution (Num. 19:16).
There were no graves in Jerusalem except those of the kings, and according to tradition that of the prophetess Huldah.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Grave
GRAVE.See Tomb.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Grave
GRAVE.See Mourning Customs, Tomb.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Grave (1)
grav. See BURIAL.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Grave (2)
(Adj.). See GRAVITY.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Grave
Grave [BURIAL]
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Grave
The principal words are
1. qeber, qeburah, , from ‘to bury,’ and hence any description of burying place, as Gen 35:20; Gen 50:5; Mat 23:29, etc. They are often translated SEPULCHRE. Gen 23:6; Deu 34:6; Mat 23:27.
2. sheol, , the place of departed spirits. Gen 37:35; Psa 6:5; Hos 13:14; 1Co 15:55, etc. See HELL.
3. , , from ‘to remember,’ hence a memorial tomb or monument. Mat 27:52-53, etc. It is often translated SEPULCHRE, as in Joh 20:1-11; and TOMB, as in Mat 8:28, etc.
The graves were of various descriptions: some were simply holes dug in the ground and at times covered over with one or more large stones, over which men might walk unawares. Luk 11:44. Some were hewn in the rock, and a single stone placed or rolled against the mouth, the tomb of Lazarus and that of Joseph in which ‘the body of Jesus was laid’ being of this description. Other sepulchres or tombs were said to be built ; an ornamental structure being erected over the place where the body was laid, similar to those found in nearly all modern cemeteries. Mat 23:29.
In places, and especially near Jerusalem, there are long passages, with holes cut in the sides in which the bodies were placed; and by continuing these passages such tombs could be enlarged to any extent. We read in the O.T. of the TOMBS OF THE KINGS. Those now bearing this name may be seen marked on maps to the north of Jerusalem; and others called the TOMBS OF THE PROPHETS are placed on the mount of Olives. These of course may not be those referred to in scripture.
Natural caves were also used as graves, as the cave of Machpelah. Gen 23:3-20. In Luk 8:27 we read of a demoniac who lived in the ‘tombs:’ these were doubtless natural caves.
The Lord compared the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees to whited sepulchres, the outward beauty of which stood in strong contrast to the dead men’s bones and uncleanness within. There is a tradition that the sepulchres were white-washed once every year, that they might be readily seen and avoided. The hour comes when all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and come forth, some to the resurrection of life, and others to the resurrection of judgement. Joh 5:28-29.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Grave
General references
Hos 13:14; 1Co 15:55 Burial
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Grave
Grave. See Burial; Sepulchres.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
GRAVE
See under BURIAL.