Subject: DOES GOD AGREE WITH CREMATION |
Bible Note: Hi Johnny, The burning you speak of in Leviticus 20:14 is from the Hebrew word saraph, which means to burn, to set on fire. Were they burnt to death? Most likely, but as punishment. This however can not be a guideline as to what to do with our bodies. We can take a look at 2Chron. 16:14 which says, “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.” The burning there is “srephah” ser-ay-faw which means cremation, a burning (thoroughly) They made a great burning: “according to some, for consuming the spices. According to others, it was a magnificent pile for the cremation of the corpse--a usage which was at that time, and long after, prevalent among the Hebrews, and the omission of which in the case of royal personages was reckoned a great indignity” JFB Jeremiah 34:4-5 "Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concerning you, 'You will not die by the sword 'You will die in peace; and as spices were burned for your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they will burn spices for you; and they will lament for you, "Alas, lord!"' For I have spoken the word," declares the LORD. The word “burned” is “misraphah” mis’raw’faw’ which means combustion, i.e. cremation (of a corpse). Strongs Hebrew Concordance So they did cremate at times, with spices yes, but it seems the bodies were burned as well and yes God burned people as well for various reasons. Peace and Joy in Jesus bgg |