DEATH
AND BURIAL RABBIT TRAIL
- In the
day of Jesus,
bystanders at funerals were obligated to honor the dead by
following the funeral processions. Paid mourners were added to the
mourners who were close friends and relatives. The mourning continued for
30 days.
- The
body was prepared to be buried the same day or very soon after death – The
family clipped the hair and nails. - The body was washed, anointed with
oil and wrapped in strips of linen cloth with spices such as hyssop, rose
oil and water between the strips. - The hands and feet were wrapped in
bandages and the face covered with a napkin. – The linen would often be
scented with natural perfumes such as aloes and myrrh.
- The
body was placed on
an open “bier” in a cave and sealed. – After some time the flesh would
have decayed, the bones were then placed in a box called an “ossuary”
which was placed on a shelf in the tomb, that way all the family could be
buried in the same place. Only the wealthy had their own rock tomb.
- A courtyard could be found in front of some tombs, just big
enough to for the bier and its bearers. The bier was the frame on
which the bearers conveyed the dead to the tomb.
- Underground
Catacombs
were developed for the poor that had large masses of tombs.
- Sidebar
- The
paid mourners were sent out of the
room by Peter wanting only believers around as he prayed for Dorcas
to be resurrected. The message here
is during the laying on of hands and prayer, to surround
your self only with believers.
Acts 9:39 -40 – Only believers laying hands on you and praying.
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he
was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and
showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas (Tabitha) had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room;
then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he
said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she
sat up NIV
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