Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5275 cremation

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

Cremation of corpses

1 Samuel 31:12-13 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

See also

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

Funeral fires for the kings of Judah

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

2 Chronicles 16:14; Jeremiah 34:5

See also

4826  fire
5241  burial
5320  funeral
5482  punishment
9030  dead bodies