Sepulchre

Sepulchre

A sepulchre, or sepulcher, is a type of tomb or burial chamber [ [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sepulcher] Dictionary.com definition] . In ancient Hebrew practice, sepulchres were often carved into the rock of a hillside.

The word is sometimes confused with "sepulture", the act of burying a dead person.

Referring from the Easton's Bible Dictionary, 'Sepulchre' is first mentioned as having been purchased by Abraham for Sarah from Ephron the Hittite (Gen. 23:20). This was the "cave of the field of Machpelah", where Abraham and Rebekah and Jacob and Leah were also buried (79:29-32). In Acts 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money [ [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%2024:32-24:32&version=31 Joshua 24:32] ] of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." [It has been proposed, as a way of reconciling the apparent discrepancy between this verse and Gen. 23:20, to read Acts 7:16 thus: "And they [i.e., our fathers] were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor [the son] of Sychem." In this way the purchase made by Abraham is not confounded with the purchase subsequently made by Jacob in the same district. Of this purchase by Abraham there is no direct record in the Old Testament. (See Thomas Campbell)]

Tombs of the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock orwere natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Judges 8:32;2 Samuel 2:32; and 2 Kings 9:28; 23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (2 Kings 21:26; 23:16; Matthew 27:60). They are found ingreat numbers in and around Jerusalem and all over the land. They were sometimes whitewashed (Matthew 23:27, 29). The body of Jesus was laid in Joseph of Arimathea's new rock-hewn tomb [ [http://bible.cc/mark/15-46.htm Mark 15:46] ] , in a garden near to Calvary perhaps the site of the Holy Sepulchre. The mouth of such rocky tombs was usually closed by a large stone (Hebrew "golal"), which could only be removed by the united efforts of several men (Matthew 28:2; John 11:39)

In common law countries, sepulcher also refers to the legal right of a next of kin to control and dispose of a deceased's body.

"Sepulchre" is also the name of a novel written by Kate Mosse.

References


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  • sepulchre — Sepulchre, Sepulchrum, Bustum, Monumentum, Tumulus, Tymbus. Un sepulchre, ou une sorte de pierre qui consume le corps qu on met dedans, Sarcophagus. Sepulchres pour soy et pour sa famille, Familiaria sepulchra. Faire un sepulchre eslevé,… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • sepulchre — also sepulcher, c.1200, tomb, burial place, especially the cave where Jesus was buried outside Jerusalem (Holy Sepulcher or Saint Sepulcher), from O.Fr. sepulcre (11c.), from L. sepulcrum grave, tomb, from root of sepelire to bury, originally to… …   Etymology dictionary

  • sepulchre — is spelt re in BrE and sepulcher in AmE …   Modern English usage

  • sepulchre — (US sepulcher) ► NOUN ▪ a stone tomb or monument in which a dead person is laid or buried. ORIGIN Latin sepulcrum burial place , from sepelire bury …   English terms dictionary

  • sepulchre — [sep′əl kər] n., vt. sepulchred, sepulchring Brit. sp. of SEPULCHER …   English World dictionary

  • sepulchre — n. & v. (US sepulcher) n. a tomb esp. cut in rock or built of stone or brick, a burial vault or cave. v.tr. 1 lay in a sepulchre. 2 serve as a sepulchre for. Phrases and idioms: the Holy Sepulchre the tomb in which Christ was laid. whited… …   Useful english dictionary

  • sepulchre — I. noun or sepulcher Etymology: Middle English sepulcre, from Anglo French, from Latin sepulcrum, sepulchrum, from sepelire to bury; akin to Greek hepein to care for, Sanskrit saparyati he honors Date: 13th century 1. a place of burial ; tomb 2.… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sepulchre — 1. noun /ˈsɛpəɫkə(ɹ),ˈsɛpəɫkɚ/ A burial chamber. Syn: tomb See Also: right of sepulchre, sepulchral, sepulture 2. verb /ˈsɛpəɫkə(ɹ),ˈsɛpəɫkɚ/ To pla …   Wiktionary

  • Sepulchre —    First mentioned as purchased by Abraham for Sarah from Ephron the Hittite (Gen. 23:20). This was the cave of the field of Machpelah, where also Abraham and Rebekah and Jacob and Leah were burried (79:29 32). In Acts 7:16 it is said that Jacob… …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

  • sepulchre — UK [ˈsep(ə)lkə(r)] / US [ˈsep(ə)lkər] noun [countable] Word forms sepulchre : singular sepulchre plural sepulchres old fashioned a place made of stone in which dead people are buried …   English dictionary

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