Tombs

The tombs of the Hebrews were generally rock-cut chambers or natural caves sealed with a large rolling or lifting stone (Gen. 29:2-3; Matt. 27:60). Family tombs were highly valued and passed between generations: Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah as a permanent burial place for Sarah established a pattern of family sepulchre ownership (Gen. 23). The patriarchs, Rachel, and later the kings of Israel had designated burial places considered part of their legacy.

Royal burials in the "city of David" were a mark of honor, and the location of David's tomb remained known to Jerusalem's inhabitants centuries later (Acts 2:29). Tombs were whitewashed annually before Passover to warn travelers of ritual uncleanness from contact with the dead — a practice Jesus used metaphorically to describe the Pharisees' outward righteousness concealing inner corruption (Matt. 23:27). The NT records that Jesus was laid in a new tomb, never previously used, hewn from rock and sealed with a stone (Matt. 27:60; John 19:41).