. A comprehensive dictionary of the Bible . ous and demanded cemeteries,which were placed without the walls; such a oneseems intended by the graves of the children of thepeople (2 K. xxiii. 6), situated in the valley of theKidron or of Jehoshaphat. Jeremiah (vii. 32, ) threatens that Tophet should be polluted byburying there (compare 2 K. xxiii. 16). Such wasalso the Potters Field (Mat. xxvii. 7). Sepul-chres were marked sometimes by pillars, as that ofRachel (Gen. xxxv. 20), or by pyramids as those ofthe Asmoneans at Modin (1 Mc. xiii. 28), and hadplaces of higher and lower honor. Such
. A comprehensive dictionary of the Bible . ous and demanded cemeteries,which were placed without the walls; such a oneseems intended by the graves of the children of thepeople (2 K. xxiii. 6), situated in the valley of theKidron or of Jehoshaphat. Jeremiah (vii. 32, ) threatens that Tophet should be polluted byburying there (compare 2 K. xxiii. 16). Such wasalso the Potters Field (Mat. xxvii. 7). Sepul-chres were marked sometimes by pillars, as that ofRachel (Gen. xxxv. 20), or by pyramids as those ofthe Asmoneans at Modin (1 Mc. xiii. 28), and hadplaces of higher and lower honor. Such as were nototherwise noticeable were scrupulously whited(Mat. xxiii. 27) once a year, after the rains beforethe passover, to warn passers by of defilement.— Mode of Burial While the 0. T. notices theburial of persons of rank or public eminence, theN. T. takes its examples from private station. Butin both cases the manner of the Jews includedthe use of spices, where they could command themeans. Thus Asa lay in a bed of spices (2 Babylonian Coffin and Lid, of green glazed pottery, from Warka, the ancient Erech.—(Layard.) xvi. 14). A portion of these were burnt in honorof the deceased, and to this use was probably des-tined part of the one hundred pounds weight ofmyrrh and aloes in our Lords case. On highstate occasions the vessels, bed, and furniture usedby the deceased were burnt also. Such was proba-bly the great burning made for Asa. If a kingwas unpopular or died disgraced (2 Chr. xxi. 19),this was not observed. In no case, save that of Saul and his sons, were the bodies burned (compare 7 -10); and even then the bones were interred,and reexhumed for solemn entombment. It was theoffice of the next of kin to perform and preside overthe whole funereal office; but a company of publicburiers (Ez. xxxix. 12-14) had apparently becomecustomary in the times of the N. T. (Acts v. 6, 10).Coffins were but seldom used, and if used were open;but fixed stone sarcophagi
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