In Bible times why were people buried in tombs instead of graves? How did they make the tombs? — Rachel of Fayette, AL

Dear Rachel,

Sometimes the Jews buried people in the earth, like we do today. But usually they placed those who died in a tomb. This helped keep the body safe. A tomb could have been a cave; Abraham buried Sarah in a cave (Genesis 23:19). More than one person was placed in a tomb; other family members were buried there as well (Genesis 25:7-11).

Sometimes, people chiseled a tomb out of soft limestone. Mostly rich people had such personal tombs. Jesus was buried in a tomb like this. It belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. He was rich enough to have his own tomb (read Matthew 27:57-61). This is the meaning of Isaiah's prophecy when he predicted that Christ would make His grave with a rich man in His death (read Isaiah 53:9).