or קְבֻרָה; feminine passive participle of קָבַר; sepulture; (concretely) a sepulchre; burial, burying place, grave, sepulchre.
Transliteration:qᵉbûwrâh
Pronunciation:keb-oo-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, `{{H6900}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from the verb קָבַר (qābar, `{{H6912}}`), meaning "to bury." This grammatical form indicates the *result* or *place* of the action of burying. Its semantic range encompasses both the act of "sepulture" or "burial" and, more concretely, the physical "burying place," "grave," or "sepulchre." It denotes not merely a hole in the ground, but a designated and often prepared location for the deceased, reflecting a deliberate act of interment. The word thus bridges the process of laying to rest and the final resting place itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, `{{H6900}}`) appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in narrative contexts detailing the deaths and burials of significant figures. A prominent example is the account of Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah from the sons of Heth, specifically as a "burying place" (e.g., [[Genesis 23:4]], [[Genesis 23:6]], [[Genesis 23:9]], [[Genesis 23:19]], [[Genesis 23:20]]). This narrative highlights the importance of securing a permanent and honorable resting place, often within family property or a communal site.
Other notable occurrences include:
* The burial of Rachel, where Jacob sets up a pillar "on her grave" (מַצֶּבֶת קְבֻרָתָהּ, [[Genesis 35:20]]), marking the specific location.
* References in the Deuteronomistic History to the "burying place" of various judges and kings (e.g., [[Judges 8:32]], [[2 Samuel 2:32]], [[2 Samuel 3:32]]). These often specify the city or family tomb, underscoring the connection between burial and ancestral land or lineage.
* Prophetic laments, such as in Jeremiah, where the denial of proper burial is presented as a severe judgment and a mark of dishonor (e.g., [[Jeremiah 8:2]], [[Jeremiah 16:4]]). This demonstrates the high cultural value placed on proper interment.
* Ezekiel's visions, which sometimes allude to graves in contexts of national judgment or restoration (e.g., [[Ezekiel 32:23]]).
Across these contexts, קְבוּרָה consistently signifies a place of reverence and finality, deeply embedded in the social and religious customs of ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical kin to קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, `{{H6900}}`) is its verbal root, קָבַר (qābar, `{{H6912}}`), "to bury." Another closely related noun is קֶבֶר (qeber, `{{H6913}}`), also meaning "grave" or "sepulchre." While often used interchangeably, קְבוּרָה tends to emphasize the *act* or *result* of sepulture, whereas קֶבֶר can simply refer to the physical hole or tomb.
The concept of קְבוּרָה is intertwined with several broader biblical themes:
* **Death and Mourning:** The word is intrinsically linked to the reality of human mortality and the rituals surrounding death.
* **Land and Inheritance:** The desire for a proper burial place, particularly within the promised land (e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Joseph), signifies a deep connection to God's covenant promises and the inheritance of the land.
* **Honor and Dishonor:** Receiving a proper burial was a mark of honor and respect, while its denial was a profound disgrace and a sign of divine judgment.
* **Ancestral Ties:** Burial in family tombs reinforced lineage and continuity, connecting generations through shared resting places.
### Theological Significance
The concept of קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, `{{H6900}}`) carries significant theological weight in the Old Testament.
* **Human Mortality and Sin:** The grave serves as a stark reminder of human finitude, the consequence of the fall, and the return to dust ([[Genesis 3:19]]). It underscores the transient nature of earthly life.
* **Covenant Fidelity and Land:** The meticulous attention paid to securing burial places, especially within the land of Canaan, reflects a profound trust in God's covenant promises. For patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph, their desire to be buried in the promised land was an act of faith, a physical rooting in the divine promise that transcended their lifetime.
* **Respect for the Human Body:** The careful and often elaborate rituals surrounding burial, including the preparation of the body and the construction of sepulchres, indicate a deep respect for the human person, even in death. This reverence, though not fully articulating a resurrection hope in the Old Testament, implicitly values the body as created by God.
* **Divine Judgment and Blessing:** The biblical narrative frequently contrasts the blessing of a proper burial with the curse of being left unburied. To be denied a קְבוּרָה was a severe form of judgment, signifying utter disgrace and abandonment by God ([[Jeremiah 8:2]], [[Jeremiah 16:4]]). Conversely, a peaceful burial was a sign of God's favor and a peaceful end.
* **Anticipation of Future Hope:** While the Old Testament's understanding of resurrection is nascent, the careful preservation of the body in the "sepulchre" can be seen as an implicit acknowledgment that the grave is not the ultimate end. It subtly points towards a future beyond death, where God's power might extend even to the dust of the earth.
### Summary
The Hebrew term קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, `{{H6900}}`) denotes both the act of burial (sepulture) and the physical place of burial (grave, sepulchre). Derived from קָבַר (qābar, `{{H6912}}`), "to bury," it is a pivotal word in understanding ancient Israelite customs surrounding death. Biblically, its occurrences highlight the profound cultural and religious importance of proper interment, reflecting respect for the deceased, strong familial ties, and an enduring connection to the covenant land. Theologically, קְבוּרָה serves as a tangible marker of human mortality and the consequences of sin, yet also points to God's sovereignty over life and death, the significance of covenant promises, and the anticipation of a future beyond the grave, emphasizing the sacredness of human life even in its earthly conclusion.
TRV