McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Heap

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McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Heap


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The Hebrew word âָּøַéùׁ , gadish', rendered “‘tomb” in Job_21:32, and “heap” in the margin, properly signifies a stack, a heap, hence a tomb, tuzmulus, a sepulchral mound that was made by a pile of earth or stones. The ancient tumuli were heaps of earth or stone, and probably such a pile was usually made over a grave as a monument. Travelers in the East have often seen heaps of stones covering over or marking the place of graves. The Hebrew phrase âִּì àֲáָðַéí âָּøֹì gal abanim' gadol', rendered “a great heap of stones,” refers to the heaps or tumuli which were raised over those whose death was either infamous or attended with some very remarkable circumstances. Such was the monument raised over the grave of Achan (Jos_7:26); and over that of the king of Ai (Jos_8:29). The burying of Absalom was distinguished by a similar erection, as a monument of his disgrace to future ages (2Sa_18:17). The same word âִּì , gal, is commonly used in reference to the heaps or ruins of walls and cities (Job_8:17; Isa_25:2; Jer_9:10). Modern travelers abundantly testify to the accurate fulfillment of Scripture prophecy in relation to the sites of numerous ancient cities, particularly of such as were doomed to become desolate heaps (Bastow). SEE PILLAR; SEE STONE. Other Heb. terms translated heap are: çֹîֶø , cho'mer, a pile (Exo_8:14, elsewhere a HOMER, as a measure); îְòַé , mei', a heap of rubbish (Isa_17:1); ðֵã ‘, ned, a mound (Isa_17:11; poet. of waves, Exo_15:8; Jos_3:13; Jos_3:16; Psa_33:7; Psa_78:13); òֲøֵîָä , aremah', a pile (e.g. of rubbish, Nehemiah 3:34; of grain, Son_7:3; of sheaves, Rth_3:7; Neh_13:15; Hag_2:16, etc.); úֵּì , tel, a hill (Jos_11:13; espec. a mound of rubbish, Deu_12:17; Jos_8:28; Jer_49:2, etc.); with others of a more miscellaneous signification. SEE MOUND.