Embalming is a common practice today, but what does the Bible say about preserving the body after death? Let’s explore the biblical view on burial, death, and how these practices reflect our beliefs about life after death.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Your Past Haunting You
What Does The Bible Say About Embalming
Genesis 50:26
“Thus Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”
Embalmment was a practice in ancient Egypt to preserve the body after death. In this verse, Joseph, the son of Jacob, was embalmed after his death as was the cultural tradition of the time.
While embalming is not directly mentioned or prescribed in the Bible as a practice for believers, it is important to understand the historical context and cultural significance of embalming in certain civilizations.
2 Chronicles 16:14
“They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor.”
In this verse, the body of King Asa was prepared with spices and perfumes before being placed on a bier. While not explicitly stating embalming, the process of preparation with spices and perfumes was a common practice in ancient times to delay decay.
While embalming is not specifically addressed in the Bible as a necessary practice for believers, these verses highlight the cultural traditions surrounding death and burial in ancient civilizations.
John 19:39-40
“He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.”
In this passage, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and prepared it for burial with a mixture of myrrh and aloes, following Jewish burial customs. The use of spices and linen strips was a way to honor the deceased and slow down decomposition.
While not specifically indicating embalming, this verse illustrates the care and reverence given to the body of Jesus after His death.
Mark 16:1
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.”
In this verse, the women who followed Jesus went to the tomb after the Sabbath to anoint His body with spices. This was a common practice to honor the deceased and mask the odor of decomposition.
While not explicitly mentioning embalming, the use of spices to honor the body shows the cultural significance of preserving and honoring the dead in biblical times.
Exodus 12:46
“It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.”
While not directly related to embalming, this verse highlights the importance of preserving the integrity of the body. In the context of the Passover lamb, it was not permissible to break any of its bones. This emphasizes the sacredness and respect for the physical body.
While embalming is not explicitly mentioned, this verse demonstrates the principle of honoring and preserving the body.
Jeremiah 34:5
“But you will die peacefully. As people made a funeral fire in honor of your predecessors, the kings who ruled before you, so they will make a fire in your honor and lament, ‘Alas, master!’ I myself make this promise, declares the LORD.”
In this verse, God promises King Zedekiah a peaceful death, and the people would mourn and make a fire in his honor. While not directly referencing embalming, the practice of making a funeral fire and lamenting the deceased was a way to honor and remember them.
This verse highlights the cultural practices surrounding death and mourning in the biblical context, without specifically addressing embalming as a practice.
Matthew 27:59-60
“After Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
In this verse, Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb. While not mentioning embalming, the act of wrapping the body in linen was a way to honor the deceased and prevent decay.
While the Bible does not explicitly prescribe embalming for believers, this verse emphasizes the care and reverence shown for Jesus’ body after His death.
Acts 9:37
“As it turned out, she was sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.”
When Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) died, her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. While not directly addressing embalming, the washing of the body was a common practice for cleanliness purposes before burial.
While embalming itself is not specifically mentioned, this verse shows the respect and care given to the body of the deceased.
2 Samuel 2:4
“Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.”
In this verse, David was anointed as king over Judah. While not pertaining to embalming, the anointing process was significant in honoring individuals and serving as a symbol of consecration.
While the Bible does not emphasize embalming, anointing plays a role in various situations as a form of consecration and recognition.
Leviticus 21:1-4
>The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die, except for a close relative, such as his mother or father, his son or daughter, his brother or an unmarried sister who is dependent on him since she has no husband—for her he may make himself unclean.”
In this passage, the Lord gives instructions to the priests regarding their interaction with the dead. While not directly mentioning embalming, it emphasizes that priests should not defile themselves by coming into contact with dead bodies, except in specific circumstances.
While embalming is not highlighted, this verse speaks to the consecrated nature of the priesthood and the importance of maintaining ceremonial cleanliness.
Matthew 26:6-7
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.”
In this verse, a woman pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. While not related to embalming, the act of anointing with perfume was a symbolic and honored gesture of respect and devotion.
While the use of perfume does not directly correlate to embalming, this verse emphasizes the importance of reverence and honoring the body.
2 Chronicles 21:19
“After six years, Jehoram, with his strong pain, ended up with an incurable disease. After about two years, as his life was quickly coming to an end due to severe illness, his people did not honor him with a fire like the ones they had made for his ancestors.”
While not directly mentioning embalming, this verse highlights the customary practice of honoring the deceased by making a fire in their honor. In this case, due to Jehoram’s wickedness, the people did not honor him in the same manner.
While this verse does not address embalming, it underscores the cultural practices and customs associated with death and honoring the deceased.
John 11:44
“The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'”
In this verse, Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, was raised back to life by Jesus. He came out of the tomb, still wrapped in linen strips. Jesus then instructed those around to remove the grave clothes.
While not directly discussing embalming, this verse provides insight into the burial customs and the use of linen strips to wrap the body.
Leviticus 19:28
>”Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”
This verse in Leviticus explicitly prohibits cutting one’s body for the dead or marking oneself with tattoos. Although not discussing embalming, it indirectly suggests that excessive alteration of the body is not in line with the Lord’s commandments.
While embalming is not directly addressed, this verse reminds believers of the importance of respecting and preserving the body as God’s creation.
Luke 23:54-56
“It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
In this passage, the women who had accompanied Jesus observed how His body was placed in the tomb. They went home and prepared spices and perfumes to anoint His body but rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
While not explicitly discussing embalming, this verse sheds light on the actions of the women to honor Jesus’ body through the utilization of spices and perfumes.
John 19:39
“He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.”
In this verse, Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial. They wrapped His body with spices and strips of linen, according to Jewish burial customs.
While not directly addressing embalming, this verse underscores the cultural significance of preparing the body with spices and linen in accordance with customary practices.
John 19:40
“They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in the linen cloths, along with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”
In this verse, the body of Jesus is wrapped in linen cloths together with spices, following the burial customs of the Jews.
While not explicitly highlighting embalming, this verse emphasizes the care and honor given to Jesus’ body in accordance with customary Jewish burial practices.
Proverbs 31:28
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”
This verse from Proverbs applauds the virtuous wife and mother, celebrating her character and the praise she receives from her family.
While not directly addressing embalming, this verse speaks to the honor and respect given to individuals, including in the context of mourning and remembrance.
Numbers 19:11
“Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.”
In this verse, touching a human corpse is considered to render a person ceremonially unclean for a period of seven days. While not specifically mentioning embalming, it indicates the importance of maintaining ritual purity in the context of death.
While embalming is not directly addressed, this verse underscores the significance of respecting the body of the deceased in ceremonial practices.
2 Chronicles 16:14
“They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor.”
In this verse, the body of King Asa was laid on a bier covered with spices and perfumes and a fire was made in his honor. While not specifically mentioning embalming, the practice of preparing the body with spices and perfumes was a way to show respect and slow down decomposition.
While embalming is not explicitly prescribed or discussed in the Bible, this verse demonstrates the cultural customs and rituals surrounding death and burial in ancient times.
Ezekiel 37:7-8
“So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.”
In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel sees a vision of dry bones being brought back to life. While not discussing embalming, it illustrates the power and ability of God to restore life to the dead.
This verse does not directly address embalming, but it highlights the sovereign authority of God over life and death.
Genesis 23:2
“And Sarah died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.”
In this verse, Abraham mourns and weeps for Sarah’s death. While not directly associated with embalming, it reveals the emotional and grieving process for the loss of a loved one.
While embalming is not explicitly mentioned, this verse highlights the natural response of mourning and grief when experiencing the death of a loved one.
Leviticus 19:28
>”You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.”
This verse in Leviticus forbids making cuts on the body for the dead or tattooing oneself. Although not discussing embalming directly, it implies that excessive alteration of the body is against the Lord’s commandments.
Although embalming is not specifically mentioned, this verse reminds believers to respect and preserve their bodies as creations of God.
Matthew 8:21-22
>Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
In this verse, Jesus tells a disciple to prioritize following Him over burying his father. While not directly addressing embalming, it signifies the importance of giving priority to spiritual matters over earthly concerns.
While embalming is not discussed here, this verse emphasizes the need for devotion to Christ and the eternal rather than being consumed by worldly obligations.