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•GRAVE Among the ancient Hebrews graves were outside of cities in the open field (Luke 7:12; John 11:30). Kings (1 Kings 2:10) and prophets (1 Samuel 25:1) were generally buried within cities. Graves were generally grottoes or caves, natural or hewn out in rocks (Isaiah 22:16; Matthew 27:60). There were family cemeteries (Genesis 47:29; 50:5; 2 Samuel 19:37). Public burial-places were assigned to the poor (Jeremiah 26:23; 2 Kings 23:6). Graves were usually closed with stones, which were whitewashed, to warn strangers against contact with them (Matthew 23:27), which caused ceremonial pollution (Numbers 19:16).
There were no graves in Jerusalem except those of the kings, and according to tradition that of the prophetess Huldah.
•GRAVEN IMAGE Deuteronomy 27:15; Psalm 97:7 (Hebrews pesel), refers to the household gods of idolaters. “Every nation and city had its own gods...Yet every family had its separate household or tutelary God.”
•GRAVING (1.) Hebrews hatsabh. Job 19:24, rendered “graven,” but generally means hewn stone or wood, in quarry or forest.
(2.) Hebrews harush. Jeremiah 17:1, rendered “graven,” and indicates generally artistic work in metal, wood, and stone, effected by fine instruments.
(3.) Hebrews haqaq. Ezekiel 4:1, engraving a plan or map, rendered “pourtray;” Job 19:23, “written.”
(4.) Hebrews pasal points rather to the sculptor’s or the carver’s art (Isaiah 30:22; 40:19; 41:7; 44:12-15).
(5.) Pathah refers to intaglio work, the cutting and engraving of precious stones (Exodus 28:9-11, 21; Zechariah 3:9; Cant. 1:10, 11).
(6.) Heret. In Exodus 32:4 rendered “graving tool;” and in Isaiah 8:1, “a pen.”