< Previous | Contents | Next >

•TOMBS of the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Judges 8:32; 2 Samuel 2:32; 2 Kings 9:28; 23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (2 Kings 21:26; 23:16; Matthew 27:60). They are found in great numbers in and around Jerusalem and all over the land. They were sometimes whitewashed (Matthew 23:27, 29). The body of Jesus was laid in Joseph’s new rock-hewn tomb, in a garden near to Calvary. All evidence is in favour of the opinion that this tomb was somewhere near the Damascus gate, and outside the city, and cannot be identified with the so-called “holy sepulchre.” The mouth of such rocky tombs was usually closed by a large stone (Hebrews golal), which could only be removed by the united efforts of several men (Matthew 28:2; comp. John 11:39). (See GOLGOTHA.)‌

•TONGUES, CONFUSION OF at Babel, the cause of the early separation of mankind and their division into nations. The descendants of Noah built a tower to prevent their dispersion; but God “confounded their language” (Genesis 11:1-8), and they were scattered over the whole earth. Till this time “the whole earth was of one language and of one speech.” (See SHINAR.)

•TONGUES, GIFT OF granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (comp. Joel 2:28, 29).

Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1 Corinthians 12:10-14:30, “divers kinds of tongues” and the “interpretation of tongues.”

< Previous | Contents | Next >