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List of burial places of Abrahamic figures

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The following is a list of burial places attributed to Abrahamic figures according to various religious and local traditions. The locations listed are based on locations mentioned in the text of the Bible or oral traditions of indigenous peoples. Many sites have been transmitted from generation to generation and there are historical accounts from travelers which state their existence.

Figures mentioned in the Torah

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Further information: Torah
Biblical figure Place name and location Image Notes
Adam Judaism and Islam: Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, West Bank

Christianity: Chapel of Adam, Church of the Holy Sepulchre


Eve Judaism and Christianity: Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, West Bank,

Islam: Tomb of Eve, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


Abel Nabi Habeel Mosque, Zabadani Valley, Syria
Seth In Judaism: Tiberias, Israel

In Islam: Bashshit, Palestine (top),
Al-Nabi Shayth, Lebanon, (bottom)


Lamech Islam: Tomb of Lamech, Mihtarlam, Afghanistan Seen here
Noah There are several Islamic sites that are claimed to be the Tomb of Noah:


See also: Tomb of Noah

Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Esau, and Leah Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, West Bank According to Jewish and Christian tradition, only Esau's head is buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs. According to legends, Ishmael was buried here as well.[citation needed]
Ishmael and Hagar Islam: Hajr Ismail, Mecca, Saudi Arabia[2]
Lot Islam: Bani Na'im, near Hebron, West Bank
Rachel Rachel's Tomb, outside Bethlehem, West Bank
Zilpah, Bilhah Jochebed, Zipporah, and Elisheva Tomb of the Matriarchs, Tiberias, Israel
Reuben Nabi Rubin, Palmachim, Israel During the Ottoman period, Arabs would gather each year at the Mamluk-era structure. Nowadays, infrequent Jewish visitors come to pray at the site.
Judah Yehud, Israel[3]
Simeon Kibbutz Eyal, Israel.
Asher and Naphtali Tel Kedesh near Malkia, Israel Seen here.
Gad Prophet Jadur Shrine, Ain Al-Jadur, west of Salt, Jordan The current mosque, built around the tomb, is a modern structure, which dates back to the year 1958. The site has fallen into disrepair and had even been looted as well.
Dan Beit Shemesh, Israel[4]
Qedar Mausoleum of Prophet Qeydar, Zanjan, Iran Qedar, the son of Ishmael, is believed by the Shi'ites to have been buried in Zanjan. The current mausoleum is a 14th-century reconstruction that has been renovated a few times.
Zebulun Tomb of Zebulun, Sidon, Lebanon Seen here Currently a Shi'ite shrine which is still locked to the public. In the past, towards the end of Iyyar, Jews from the most distant parts of Palestine and the Jews who lived in Lebanon would make a pilgrimage to this tomb.[5]
Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh Judaism and Christianity: Joseph's Tomb, Nablus (Shechem), West Bank;

Islam: Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, West Bank,

Some others consider Joseph to have been buried next to the Cave of the Patriarchs, where a mediaeval structure known as the kalah (castle) is now located.

Some archaeologists believe that the site in Nablus is only the tomb of a Sufi Muslim Shaykh named Yusuf, and not Joseph himself.

Benjamin Kfar Saba, Israel
Two structures 30 m away from each other (both pictured) are each claimed by Jews, Muslims and Christians as the authentic tomb. This site is questionable, however, because it is not located in the territory of the Tribe of Benjamin.[citation needed]
Serah Pir-i Bakran, near Esfahan, Iran[6]
Moses Mount Nebo (Jordan)

Islam: Nabi Musa, West Bank,

According to the Bible, the exact place of Moses' grave remains unknown, in order to impede idolatry.
Aaron Tomb of Aaron: Mount Harun near Petra, Jordan. At 1350 meters above sea-level, it is the highest peak in the area; it is believed to be the place where Aaron died and was buried. A 14th-century mosque stands here with its white dome visible from most areas in and around Petra.
Eleazar and Ithamar Awarta, West Bank[7] Due to the uncertain security situation, the Israel Defense Forces limits visits by Jews to one annual night close to the 5th of Shevat on the Hebrew calendar (around January–February). [citation needed]
Jethro Nabi Shu'ayb, Hittin Each year on April 25, the Druze gather at the site to discuss community affairs.[8]
Aholiab Sujod, Southern Lebanon[9] Located at 33.4428°N 35.5381°E. Destroyed after the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon.

Figures mentioned in the Nevi'im (Prophets)

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Further information: Nevi'im
Biblical figure Place name and location Image Notes
Nun Timnath-heres, attributed to Kifl Hares, Salfit Governorate, West Bank
Joshua Timnath-heres, attributed to Kifl Hares, Salfit Governorate, West Bank (pictured)
Islam: An-Nabi Yusha’ bin Noon aka Prophet Joshua's Shrine, near As-Salt, Jordan.[10] 		Thousands make the pilgrimage to his tomb on the annual commemoration of his death, 26th of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar.
Caleb Timnath-heres, attributed to Kifl Hares, Salfit Governorate, West Bank
Othniel Ben Kenaz Tomb of Othniel Ben Kenaz in Hebron, West Bank[11]
Shamgar Tebnine, Lebanon[12] Seen here The tomb is also known by Shia Muslims as the tomb of Prophet Siddiq.[13]
Deborah, Barak and Yael Tel Kaddesh, Israel[14]
Samson Beit Shemesh, Israel[15]
Elkanah Kedita, Upper Galilee, Israel[16] See here
Hannah and Samuel Tomb of Samuel, West Bank.[17]

Christianity: Tomb of Hannah, Horvat Hani, Israel[18]

Both Jewish and Muslim prayers are held at the tomb. Many religious Jews visit the tomb on the 28th of Iyar, the anniversary of Samuel the Prophet's death.
Eli Shiloh, Samaria According to Jewish tradition the Yahrzeit of Eli the Cohen is on י' באייר — the tenth day of Iyar.
Nathan and Gad Halhul, Hebron Governorate, West Bank The graves of Nathan and Gad are entombed in a mosque named after Jonah.
David David's Tomb, Mount Zion, Jerusalem 1 Kings 2:10 says that King David was buried in his own city; the City of David is on the southeastern hill of Jerusalem, Mount Zion is its western hill. The "tomb" is a Crusader-era cenotaph (symbolical, empty sarcophagus). The building dates to the 2nd century CE the earliest, and the tradition of David being buried here was created by Byzantine Christians well over a millennium after his supposed death.[19] The authentic tomb of David is probably a cave noted as 'T1' in a former Roman-era quarry outside of the modern city walls.[20][21]
Absalom Yad Avshalom, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem Archaeologists have dated the tomb to the first century CE. Its association with Absalom only dates from the 12th century.[22] Currently it is not considered by any religious group to be the tomb of Absalom, due to its age (1000 years too recent) and the Bible (2 Samuel 18:17, which says Absalom's body was covered over with stones in a pit in the forest of Ephraim).
Abner ben Ner Hebron, West Bank[23] Rabbi Moses Basola visited the tomb in 1522.[24] Sefer Yihus ha-Tzaddiqim (Book of Genealogy of the Righteous), a collection of travel writings first published in 1561, mentions the tomb.[25]
Isaiah Isaiah mausoleum, Esfahan, Iran (top)[26] or Nahal Dishon, Israel (bottom)
Hushai Yirka, Israel
Elisha Elisha's Tomb. Disputed between: near Mt. Carmel, West Bank or Kfar Yassif near Acre, Israel and Eğil, Turkey.[27] Seen here
Huldah Mount of Olives, Jerusalem Seen here
Zedekiah Cave of Zedekiah, Old City of Jerusalem[28]
Ezekiel Ezekiel's Tomb, Al Kifl, Iraq Up till the mid-20th century, up to 5,000 Jews used to come to the tomb during Passover.[29] Many Muslims believe this tomb to be that of an unspecified personality named Dhul-Kifl. This site was protected under the control of Saddam Hussein, and renovated extensively in 2014.
Baruch ben Neriah Reportedly in the Al-Nukhailah Mosque, Al-Kifl, Iraq Exact location unknown. According to Jewish tradition, Baruch's tomb is located about 1-mile (1.6 km) away from Ezekiel's Tomb near a town called "Mashhad Ali" which there is no record of ever existing.

However, there is a tomb within the Al-Nukhailah Mosque in Al-Kifl dedicated to Baruch. Corresponding with the earlier legend, it is located near to the Tomb of Ezekiel, which is also in the same building.

Hosea Ancient Jewish cemetery of Safed, Israel[30]
Amittai Beit Ummar, near Hebron, West Bank Mosque of Nabi Matta: The main mosque in Beit Ummar housing the tomb of Nabi Matta or Amittai, father of Jonah. Mujir ad-Din writes that Matta was "a holy man from the people of the house of the prophecy." Nearby Halhul houses the tomb of Jonah with the inscription reading "Yunus ibn Matta" or "Jonah son of Amittai", confirming that Matta is indeed the Arabic name for Amittai and the Beit Ummar tomb is dedicated to Amittai. In 1226, the Ayyubid sultan al-Mu'azzam built a mosque with a minaret under the supervision of Jerusalem governor Rashid ad-Din al-Mu'azzami. The Mamluks constructed some additions to the mosque and engraved several inscriptions on its surface. Also seen here.
Jonah Judaism: Mashhad, Israel. (top)

Islam: Halhul, near Beit Ummar, Hebron. (bottom)



Masshad tomb can also be seen here.
Micah Kabul, Israel[31] or also at Jezzine, Lebanon The shrine in Jezzine is also known as the tomb of a Prophet Misha.
Nahum Al Qush, south of Dahuk, Iraq. There are however two other sites mentioned in historical accounts: Elkesi, near Ramah in the Galilee and Elcesei in the West Bank[32]
Habakkuk Some locate it at Huqoq, others at Kadarim, Israel.[33][34] There is a shrine in Toyserkan, Iran as well.[35]

Zephaniah En-Nabi Safi, Southern Lebanon[36] Seen here The tomb is located inside a Muslim shrine, known by locals as the shrine of a Prophet Safi.
Haggai, Malachi, and Zechariah Tomb of the Prophets, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem[37]

Figures mentioned in the Ketuvim (Writings)

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Further information: Ketuvim
Biblical figure Place name and location Image Notes
Job In Druzism: Chouf District, Lebanon (pictured). Yaqut al-Hamawi recorded that it was located in Al-Shaykh Saad, while another tradition locates it at Salalah, Oman
Jesse and Ruth Tomb of Jesse and Ruth, Hebron, West Bank
Mordecai and Esther Tomb of Esther and Mordechai, Hamedan, Iran Persian Jews still make annual pilgrimage in honor of the Purim festival.
Daniel Tomb of Daniel, Susa, Iran (pictured). There are however six other traditional sites including Kirkuk in Iraq and Samarkand in Uzbekistan At the site in Kirkuk, the locals claim that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azaria are buried alongside Daniel.
Ezra Ezra's Tomb, Al-'Uzayr, near Basra, Iraq Preserved by Jewish caretakers until the middle of the 20th century. From that point, a local Muslim Iraqi took the responsibility of preserving the location. The area surrounding the tomb is used today as a place of Muslim worship although Hebrew inscriptions are still present in the room. Located where Tigris and Euphrates meet.
Zechariah ben Jehoiada Tomb of Zechariah, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

Figures mentioned in the New Testament

[edit]
Further information: New Testament
Biblical figure Place name and location Image Notes
Augustus Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome, Italy
Caiaphas Tomb of Caiaphas, Abu Tor, Jerusalem Discovered by accident in 1990 and subsequently excavated by archaeologists.[38][39]
Herod the Great Herodium, Za'atara and Jannatah, West Bank Discovered in 2007 by archaeologist Ehud Netzer after 35 years of searching.
Saint Andrew Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Patras, Greece
Saint Bartholemew Benevento Cathedral, Benevento, Italy or San Bartolomeo all'Isola, Rome, Italy (bottom)
Both claimed to contain the relics of Saint Bartholomew.
Saint James the Great Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Saint James the Less Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem (top) or Santi Apostoli, Rome, Italy (bottom)
Saint Philip Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Turkey (top) or Santi Apostoli, Rome, Italy (bottom)
Saint Paul Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy (top) or Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (bottom)
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran claims the skull of Paul.
Saint Peter St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City (top) or Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (bottom)
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran claims the skull of Peter.
Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Jude Thaddeus St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City According to legend, Saint Simon and Saint Jude are buried underneath the St. Joseph altar.
Jesus There are several sites that are claimed to be the Tomb of Jesus:


Kirisuto no Haka claims to contain a relic of Jesus's younger brother, Isukiri (speculated to be Joses).
Saint Thomas St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai, India or Basilica of San Tommaso Apostolo, Ortona
Saint Matthias St. Matthias' Abbey, Trier, Germany

Figures mentioned exclusively in the Quran

[edit]
Further information: Quran
Quranic figure Place name and location Image Notes
Muhammad Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia under Green Dome
Hud Jordan, or Qabr Nabi Hud, Hadhramaut, Yemen Burial sites near the Zamzam Well or in the Umayyad Mosque are also claimed

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tombs and graves of saintly people in Judaism.

References

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  1. ^ "Mount Damāvand | mountain, Iran". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  2. ^ Corbin, Henry (2009). "The configuration of the Temple of the Ka´bah.". Temple and Contemplation. London: Roudledge. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-710-30129-1. This is the hijr of Ishmael, or the house of Ishmael (Bayt Ismail), where he buried his mother Hagar and where he himself is buried.
  3. ^ האבות, האמהות, הבנים והנביאים
  4. ^ דן בן יעקב
  5. ^ Pilgrimage in Palestine
  6. ^ Goldman, Shalom (1995). "The Women of the Joseph Story". The Wiles of Women, The Wiles of Men. New York: SUNY Press. p. 115. ISBN 0-7914-2683-1.
  7. ^ https://archive.today/20130108023424/http://www.syt.co.il/showKever.asp?id=337 אלעזר בן אהרן הכהן
  8. ^ "Druze Revered Sites in Palestine: Jethro's Tomb". Archived from the original on 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  9. ^ נחלת אשר Archived 2007-03-12 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Prophet Joshua's Shrine, Tripadvisor, accessed June 2020
  11. ^ "Otniel ben Knaz". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  12. ^ Yeshiva.org.il - המשך ענין לבנון
  13. ^ Behnegarsoft.com (2011-11-02). "مقام النبي صدّيق في بلدة تبنين جنوب لبنان". وكالة أنباء التقريب (TNA) (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  14. ^ מקומות קדושים | קברי צדיקים - הגליל העליון ואצבע הגליל - גבול לבנון - ברק בן אבינעם - SYT
  15. ^ שמשון הגיבור
  16. ^ אלקנה
  17. ^ מקומות קדושים | קברי צדיקים - ירושלים - צפון ירושלים - שמואל הנביא - SYT
  18. ^ Vamosh, Miriam Feinberg (2018-09-11). "Earliest convent in Israel found at tomb of Samuel's mother Hannah". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  19. ^ Jerome Murphy-O'Connor (2008). The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700. Oxford Archaeological Guides. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-0-19-923666-4. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  20. ^ Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 1995, p. 64.
  21. ^ Kathleen Kenyon, Archaeology in the Holy Land (1985), p. 333.
  22. ^ Jerome Murphy-O'Connor (2008). The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700. Oxford Archaeological Guides. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-19-923666-4. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  23. ^ "Tomb of Avner ben Ner (Abner) in Hebron". Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  24. ^ Avraham, David (1999). In Zion and Jerusalem: The Itinerary of Rabbi Moses Basola 1512-1523. Jerusalem: C G Gundation. ISBN 978-9652229267.
  25. ^ "URI (ORI) BEN SIMEON - JewishEncyclopedia.com". www.jewishencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  26. ^ Freedman, Warren. (1984) World Guide for the Jewish Traveler. NY: E.P. Dutton Inc
  27. ^ AA, Daily Sabah with (2018-12-20). "Drop in dam water reveals submerged village, Elisha's tomb in SE Turkey's Diyarbakır". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  28. ^ מקומות קדושים | קברי צדיקים - ירושלים - העיר העתיקה - מערת צדקיהו - SYT
  29. ^ Passover pilgrimage to Ezekiel's tomb in Iraq
  30. ^ "הושע הנביא". Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  31. ^ מיכה הנביא
  32. ^ Renovation- Al Qush Synagogue and the Tomb of Nahum Archived 2012-02-11 at the Wayback Machine.
  33. ^ חבקוק הנביא Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Hukkok
  35. ^ آلبوم عکسهای تویسرکان
  36. ^ המשך ענין לבנון
  37. ^ חגי הנביא
  38. ^ Caiaphas’ Family Tomb Found, Chicago Tribune, August 14, 1992, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-08-14/news/9203130273_1_caiaphas-ossuaries-burial-cave.
  39. ^ Specter, Michael (1992-08-16). "AUGUST 9-15; The Tomb of Caiaphas Unearthed?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
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