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What the Bible Says About Burial

Overview

The Bible addresses burial across 27 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, John and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Abraham, Land, Ephron and Cave. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Ephron, Jesus and Joseph.

Key Bible verses about burial

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 23:7

And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

Genesis 23:8

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

Genesis 23:9

That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. as much: Heb. full money

Genesis 23:10

And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, audience: Heb. ears

Genesis 23:11

Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

Genesis 23:12

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

Genesis 23:13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Genesis 23:14

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

Genesis 23:15

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Genesis 23:16

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

Genesis 47:29

And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

Genesis 47:30

But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

Genesis 47:31

And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 39:11

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. noses: or, mouths Hamongog: that is, The multitude of Gog

Ezekiel 39:12

And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

Ezekiel 39:13

Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 39:14

And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. men: Heb. men of continuance

New Testament

People in the Bible and burial

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying burial for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 23:7, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Genesis, John and Ezekiel each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Abraham, Ephron and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Abraham, Land, Ephron and Cave.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about burial?

The Bible addresses burial across 27 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, John and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Abraham, Land, Ephron and Cave. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Ephron, Jesus and Joseph.

How many Bible verses are about burial?

The Bible references burial in 27 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention burial?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 23:7: “And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with burial?

Abraham, Ephron, Jesus, Joseph and Pontius Pilate.

Preach & teach

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