Grave (2)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Grave (2) in the Bible?
A grave is a designated site for the interment of the dead, functioning as a synonym for tomb in many contexts and occasionally denoting the condition of death itself.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the physical reality and linguistic flexibility of the term 'grave' illuminates ancient Jewish burial customs and societal attitudes toward mortality, thereby providing necessary cultural context for interpreting death-related passages in biblical texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Grave (2). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Grave (2) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Grave (2) clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Grave (2)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/grave-2/