Sepulchre
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A '''sepulcher''', or '''sepulchre''', is a type of [[tomb]] or [[burial]] chamber<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sepulcher] Dictionary.com definition</ref>. In ancient Hebrew practice, sepulchres were often carved into the rock of a hillside.
The word is sometimes confused with "sepulture", the act of burying a dead person.
Referring from the [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]], 'Sepulchre' is first mentioned as having been purchased by [[Abraham]] for [[Sarah]] from [[Ephron]] the Hittite (Gen. 23:20). This was the [[Tomb of the Patriarchs|"cave of the field of Machpelah"]], where Abraham and [[Rebekah]] and [[Jacob]] and [[Leah]] were also buried (79:29-32). In Acts 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid in [[Joseph%27s tomb|the sepulchre]] that Abraham bought for a sum of money<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%2024:32-24:32&version=31 Joshua 24:32]</ref> of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." <ref>It has been proposed, as a way of reconciling the apparent discrepancy between this verse and Gen. 23:20, to read Acts 7:16 thus: "And they [i.e., our fathers] were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor [the son] of Sychem." In this way the purchase made by Abraham is not confounded with the purchase subsequently made by Jacob in the same district. Of this purchase by Abraham there is no direct record in the Old Testament. (See [[Thomas Campbell]])</ref>
Tombs of the [[Hebrews]] were generally excavated in the solid rock or
were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in [[Book of Judges|Judges]] 8:32;
2 [[Books of Samuel|Samuel]] 2:32; and 2 [[Books of Kings|Kings]] 9:28; 23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (2 Kings 21:26; 23:16; [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 27:60). They are found in
great numbers in and around [[Jerusalem]] and all over the land. They were sometimes [[whitewash|whitewashed]] (Matthew 23:27, 29). The body of [[Jesus]] was laid in [[Joseph of Arimathea]]'s new rock-hewn tomb<ref>[http://bible.cc/mark/15-46.htm Mark 15:46]</ref>, in a garden near to [[Calvary]] perhaps the site of the [[Holy Sepulchre]]. The mouth of such rocky tombs was usually closed by a large stone (Hebrew ''golal''), which could only be removed by the united efforts of several men (Matthew 28:2; [[Gospel of John|John]] 11:39)
"Sepulchre" is also the name of a novel written by [[Kate Mosse]].
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{eastons}}
[[Category:Burial monuments and structures]]
[[es:Sepulcro]]
[[he:מערת קבורה]]
[[pt:Sepulcro]]