Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2024-12-159

VB. – № 12, 2024. – P. 161-167

Summary

The burial of the deceased, in all the peoples of the Ancient Near East, and especially in ancient biblical Israel, served as a confirmation that life continues after death and that, through burial, the peace of the deceased in eternity is ensured. For this reason, the violation of a tomb was considered sacrilegious and disrespectful, as it disturbed the tranquility of the soul of the deceased. To remain unburied was regarded as atrocious and dishonorable, as it was believed that the soul of the person would remain trapped between two worlds and could not pass into the realm of the dead to find the much-desired peace and serenity. In contrast, burial was considered a special honor for the deceased and for their relatives who took care of the funeral rites. The tomb of the deceased was a significant element according to the beliefs of ancient peoples, and particularly of ancient Israel. The purchase of a tomb in Palestine during the period of the Patriarchs of ancient Israel demonstrates both the necessity of ensuring a dignified burial and the transition of the deceased into eternity, as well as securing the possession and ownership of the land through purchase. Despite the certainty of purchasing and owning the land, the Israelite knows that he is a temporary sojourner on this land and a steward of it, as the absolute and sole owner of the entire earth is God Himself. A characteristic example is the purchase of the Cave of Machpelah by Abraham, in order to bury his wife and, subsequently, for himself and his descendants to be buried there, as described in the Book of Genesis. During the process of purchasing the cave, the Hittites offered to give it to Abraham as a gift, but he refused to avoid any future claims or transactions and to ensure that the place would become his property, thereby securing his descendants’ rights to that land. The purchase of the cave and the possession of this specific portion of land serves as proof to Abraham and his descendants that God’s promises to the Patriarch Abraham regarding the Promised Land were beginning to be fulfilled.

Key words: tomb, burial customs, violation, eternity, ownership of land, Abraham, cave.

References:

Biblia Hebraica, Stuttgartensia, Fünfte verbesserte Auflage, Studienausgabe, Gedruckt mit Unterstüntzung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart 1967.

Browning W., “burial”, A Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford New York 1996, σ. 53.

Chouraqui Α., Η Καθημερινή Ζωή των Ανθρώπων της Βίβλου, Μετάφραση: Σταύρου Βλοντάκη, εκδ. Παπαδήμα, Αθήνα  1992.

George A., “ενταφιασμός“, Λεξικό Βιβλικής Θεολογίας, Μετάφραση; Καίτη Χιωτέλη,  Εκδ. Βιβλικό Κέντρο ΆρτοςΖωής, στ. 368-369.

Golinday J., Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Pentateuch: Genesis, Baker Academic, Michigan 2020.

Kinder D., Tyndale Old Τestament Commentaries: Genesis, Volume 1, Inter Varsity Press, England 2008.

Lemche N., Η Προϊστορία του Ισραήλ, Από τις αρχές εως το τέλος του 13^ου αι. π.Χ., Εκδ. Π. Σ. Πουρνάρα, Μετάφραση: Ιωάννη Χ. Μούρτζιου, Θεσσαλονίκη 1998.

Liddell H. & Scott R., “τάφος”, Μέγα Λεξικό της Ελληνικής Γλώσσης, μεταφρασθέν εκ της αγγλικής εις την ελληνικήν υπό Ξενοφώντος Π. Μόσχου (καθηγητού), ְֹΤόμος V, Εκδότικός Οίκος Ι. Σιδέρης Αθήναι α.ε., σ. 296.

Παλάντζα Β. Α., Το Βιβλίο της Ρούθ και η Θεολογία του, Εκδ. Έννοια, Αθήνα 2015.

Παπαδόπουλου Μ. Ν., Ο Θάνατος και αι Μεταθανάτιαι Παραστάσεις κατά τα Ιστορικά Βιβλία της Παλ. Διαθήκης μέχρι της Βαβυλωνίου Αιχμαλωσίας, Αθήναι 1965.

Παπαδόπουλου Μ. Ν., Οι εν τη Παλαιά Διαθήκη Μνημονευόμενοι Τάφοι: από της εποχής των Πατριαρχών μέχρι της Βασιλείας, εν Αθήναις 1978.

Potts D., Mesopotamian Civilization: The Materia Foundations, The Athlone Press, London 1997, σ. 221.

Preuss D. H., Θεολογία ττης Παλαιάς Διαθήκης Τόμοι Α’ – Β’, Μετάφραση – Επιμέλεια: Ι. Χρ. Μούρτζιος, εκδ. Κυριακίδη, Θεσσαλονίκη 2016.

Rahlfs A. – Hanhart R., Septuaginta id est Vetus Testamentum graece iuxta LXX interpretes, editio altera, Deutsce Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart 2006.

Ross A., Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Genesis, Volume 1, Tyndale House Publishers, Illinois 2007.

Spronk Κ., “Beatific Afterlife in Ancient Israel and in the Near East”, AOAT, B. 219, Verlag Butzon & Berecker Kevelaer, Neukirchener Verlag Neukirchen – Vluyn 1986, σ. 139.

Φούντα I. (Αρχιμανδρίτου), Ερμηνεία Παλαιάς Διαθήκης: Γένεσις, Τόμος 1, Εκδ. Αποστολικής Διακονίας της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, Αθήναι 2004.

Wolf Η., An Introduction to the Old Tstament: Pentateuch, Moody Publishers, Chicago 1991.