### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb tháptō (`{{G2290}}`) is a primary verb, carrying the fundamental meaning "to bury" or "to inter." Its semantic range extends beyond the mere physical act of placing a body in the ground to encompass the broader concept of "celebrating funeral rites." This implies a respectful and customary disposition of the deceased, acknowledging the cultural and religious practices surrounding death in the ancient world. It is distinct from verbs denoting death itself, focusing specifically on the post-mortem treatment and interment of the body.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
tháptō appears in various New Testament contexts, primarily in the Gospels and Acts, with a significant theological application in Paul's epistles.
* **Literal Burials:**
* The disciples of John the Baptist tháptō his body after his execution ([[Matthew 14:12]], [[Mark 6:29]]), demonstrating a customary act of piety and respect for the deceased.
* The burial of Jesus is a central theme, emphasizing the reality of His death. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus tháptō Jesus' body in a new tomb ([[Matthew 27:59]], [[Mark 15:46]], [[Luke 23:53]], [[John 19:40]], [[John 19:42]]). This act, performed with care and according to Jewish custom (e.g., with spices), underscores the actual cessation of life and sets the stage for the miraculous resurrection. The burial of Jesus also fulfills prophetic Scripture, such as [[Isaiah 53:9]].
* In the account of Ananias and Sapphira, the young men tháptō the bodies of the deceased immediately after their sudden deaths due to divine judgment ([[Acts 5:6]], [[Acts 5:9]], [[Acts 5:10]]). The swiftness of the burial highlights the immediacy and severity of God's judgment against their deceit.
* Stephen's burial by devout men after his martyrdom is also noted ([[Acts 8:2]]), again emphasizing the respectful disposition of the dead, even in tragic circumstances.
* **Figurative Use:**
* The most profound theological use of tháptō occurs in [[Romans 6:4]], where Paul declares, "Therefore we were tháptō with Him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too we may walk in newness of life." Here, baptism is presented as a symbolic burial, signifying the believer's identification with Christ's death. It represents a definitive break from the old life of sin, a "burial" of the former self, leading to a spiritual resurrection into a new life in Christ.
* Similarly, [[1 Corinthians 15:4]] states that Christ "was tháptō" and "was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures," affirming the historical reality of His burial as a prerequisite for His resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith.
### Related Words & Concepts
tháptō is intrinsically linked to other terms and concepts related to death and the afterlife.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew verb for "to bury" is qābar (`{{H6912}}`), often associated with the noun qeber (`{{H6900}}`), meaning "grave" or "tomb."
* **Greek Nouns for Grave/Tomb:**
* mnēmeion (`{{G3419}}`): A memorial, tomb, or monument, frequently used for Jesus' tomb.
* taphos (`{{G5028}}`): A tomb or grave, often emphasizing the place of burial.
* **Related Concepts:**
* **Death (thanatos, `{{G2288}}`):** The physical cessation of life, which necessitates burial.
* **Resurrection (anastasis, `{{G386}}`):** The raising of the dead, which follows burial and provides hope beyond the grave.
* **Funeral Rites:** The customary ceremonies and practices associated with the dead, which tháptō implicitly includes.
* **Mourning (pentheō, `{{G3996}}`):** The emotional response to death, often accompanying the process of burial.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of tháptō is multifaceted:
1. **The Reality of Death:** The act of burial unequivocally affirms the reality and finality of physical death. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequence of sin ([[Romans 5:12]]). For Jesus, His burial confirmed His true humanity and death, making His subsequent resurrection all the more miraculous and foundational to Christian faith.
2. **The Hope of Resurrection:** While burial signifies death, for the believer, it is not an ultimate end but a temporary resting place. Christ's burial and resurrection ([[1 Corinthians 15:3-4]]) provide the ultimate pattern and guarantee of the believer's future resurrection. The grave is thus transformed from a place of despair to a place of expectant hope.
3. **Identification with Christ in Baptism:** The most profound theological implication of tháptō is found in its metaphorical use in [[Romans 6:4]]. Baptism is depicted as a "burial with Christ," symbolizing the believer's spiritual death to sin and the old self. Just as Christ was literally buried and then raised, so too the believer, through baptism, dies to sin and is raised to walk in "newness of life." This signifies a radical break from the dominion of sin and an initiation into a life empowered by the resurrected Christ. It is a participation in Christ's redemptive work, not merely an outward ritual.
4. **Respect for the Human Body:** The consistent practice of burial throughout biblical narratives, even for those under divine judgment, suggests an inherent respect for the human body, which is created in God's image and, for believers, is a temple of the Holy Spirit ([[1 Corinthians 6:19]]) and destined for resurrection.
### Summary
tháptō (`{{G2290}}`) is a Greek verb meaning "to bury" or "to inter," encompassing the customary rites associated with the disposition of the deceased. Its literal occurrences in the New Testament highlight the respectful treatment of the dead, particularly the historical reality of Jesus' burial, which was crucial for His subsequent resurrection. Theologically, tháptō carries immense weight, especially in [[Romans 6:4]], where it metaphorically describes the believer's identification with Christ's death and burial through baptism. This spiritual "burial" signifies a decisive break from the old life of sin and an entry into a new life of resurrection power, underscoring the reality of death, the hope of resurrection, and the transformative power of union with Christ.
TRV