The burning of a dead body. Cremation was not practised by Israel or the first Christians. In difficult circumstances a corpse might be burnt and the remains buried

1 Samuel 31:12-13

Cremation of corpses

See also

This was done to prevent any further abuse of the bodies by the Philistines. David later reburied the remains in a family grave (see 2Sa 21:12-14).

Burning a body as a punishment

Leviticus 20:14; 21:9
Joshua 7:15,25
2 Kings 23:20
2 Chronicles 16:14

Funeral fires for the kings of Judah

Jeremiah 34:5

These were not for the purpose of cremating the king's corpse, but public demonstrations in his honour:

See also

4826 fire
5241 burial
5321 furnace
5482 punishment
9030 dead bodies