Bier
“A bed or couch; used for carrying the dead”
Summary
An open frame or stretcher used to carry the dead to burial, mentioned in Scripture at the funerals of Abner and the widow's son at Nain.
☩Description and Use
A bier was a light wooden frame or open coffin on which the body of the deceased was carried from the house to the grave. Closed coffins were not commonly used among the ancient Hebrews; the dead were carried openly on this simple frame, covered with a cloth. The Hebrew word mittah is also translated 'bed' elsewhere in Scripture.
☩Biblical Accounts
When Abner was killed by Joab, King David commanded the people to rend their clothes and gird themselves with sackcloth, and he himself followed Abner's bier in the funeral procession. At Nain, Jesus met a funeral procession carrying a widow's only son on a bier. In compassion, He touched the bier—an action that would normally cause ceremonial defilement—and commanded the young man to rise.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Bier," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Bier," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Bier," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).