Bible Encyclopedias
Prophets, Tombs of the.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Prophets, Sons of the.

Next Entry
Propitiation

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

"The excavations commonly known under this name," Professor Robinson observes," are situated on the western declivity of the Mount of Olives, a little south of the footpath leading over from St. Stephen's gate to Bethany. Pococke describes them as ‘ very large, having many cells to deposit bodies in; the farther end of them they call the Labyrinth, which extends a great way; I could not find the end of it;' this part seems to have been a quarry. Doiibdan compares them with the tombs of the judges and kings; but says the chambers are not square, as in these, but consist of two large and high galleries, cut strictly one within the other in a continued curve; the holes or niches for the bodies being on a level with the floor" (Bibl. Res. 1, 529; comp. Latter Res. p. 233). See De Saullcy, Dead Sea, ii, 107; Williams, Holy City, 2, 215. (See OLIVET). It is ordinarily supposed (but with no good reason) that it is of these tombs our Lord speaks when he says: "Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them" (Luke 11:47). (See TOMB).