Matzevah

Masseba[1] or matzevah (Hebrew: מַצֵּבָה maṣṣēḇā; 'pillar' or 'sacred pillar') is a term used in the Hebrew Bible for a sacred pillar, a type of standing stone. The term has been adopted by archaeologists for Israelite contexts, seldom for related cultures, such as the Canaanite and the Nabataean ones. As a second derived meaning, it is also used for a headstone or tombstone marking a Jewish grave.

For other uses, see Bereavement in Judaism.

Etymology

The Hebrew word matzevah is derived from a root meaning 'to stand', which lead to the meaning of 'pillar'.[2]

The singular form can be found spelled as masseba, maseba, matzevah, matzeva or mazzevah, and the plural form as massebot, masseboth, masebot, matzevot or matzevoth. When used in an Yiddish-influenced context, it can take the form matzeivah.[3]

Biblical narrative

Use of the exclusive word can be found in Genesis 28:18, 28:22, 31:13, 31:45, 35:14, 35:20, Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 16:22 and Hosea 3:4.

Sacred pillar

According to Genesis 28:22, Jacob says "and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar (matzevah), shall be God's house" and in Genesis 31:13 Yahweh says to Jacob "I am the God of Bethel [lit. "House of God"] where you anointed a pillar (matzevah) and made a vow to me...".

Tombstone
Jewish headstones from the 1500s at Sobědruhy in the Czech Republic

According to Genesis 35:20, "Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day."

Jewish tombstone

Based on Genesis 35:20, observant Jews traditionally erect a monument at the grave of a deceased person.[3] It can be placed either over the grave, as a footstone, or as a headstone.[3] Three purposes can be distinguished:[3]

  • Marking the gravesite for purity reasons: priests (cohanim) are required to avoid defilement through contact with the dead, and a marker (any marker) helps them identify a grave.[3]
  • Identification: the name of the deceased written on a stone allows friends and relatives to identify the grave.[3]
  • Honouring the dead: respectable, but unostentatious monument appropriate to heirs' fortune is a symbolic way to honour the deceased.[3]

See also
  • Asherah pole, Canaanite sacred tree or pole honouring Asherah, consort of El
  • Baetylus, a type of sacred standing stone
  • Bema and bimah, elevated platform
  • Ceremonial pole
  • High place, raised place of worship
  • Lingam, abstract representation of the Hindu god Shiva
  • Menhir, orthostat, or standing stone: upright stone, typically from the Bronze Age
  • Pole worship
  • Stele, stone or wooden slab erected as a monument

References
  1. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, Oxford University Press. Accessed 14 February 2022.
  2. Tombstone. A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion. Oxford University Press. 1999. ISBN 9780192800886. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via oxfordreference.com.
  3. The Monument ("Matzeivah"), Maurice Lamm for Chabad.org. Accessed 17 Jan 2022.
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