Bnei Hazir tomb

The Bnei Hazir tomb ( _he. קבר בני חזיר) is the oldest of three burial sites discovered in the Kidron Valley, Jerusalem.

History

The tomb dates to the Hasmonean period in Jewish history and is situated alongside the Zeharia and Yad Avshalom tombs, thought to have been erected several hundreds of years later. The tomb is effectively a burial cave dug into the cliff. It features a Hebrew inscription which makes it clear that this was the burial site of a Cohanim family by the name of Bnei Hazir. The inscription reads:

זה הקבר והנפש שלאלעזר חניה יועזר יהודה שמעון יוחנן בני יוסף בן עובד יוסף ואלעזר בני חניה כהנים מבני חזיר — Here lies the soul and resting place of Eliezer Hania Yoazar Yehuda Shimon Yochanan Bnei sons of Yosef Ben son of Oved Yosef and Elazar Bnei Hania, Cohanim of the Hazir family

Bnei Hazir family

The tomb's inscription reveals that the cave was used by several generations of the Bnei Hazir family. As well, it indicates that this was a wealthy family, able to afford a burial cave in the Kidron Velley. In the Hebrew Bible there is a mention of a Cohanim family by the name of Hazir (דברי הימים א כד, 15; נחמיה 21, י), but it is not known if there is a relation.

Presumed "soul"

The inscription mentions a "soul" (נפש), which is also a designation for a magnificent structure built on or alongside the tomb (such as Yad Avshalom), but it has yet to be discovered. Archeologists believe that such a structure did exist but disintegrated over time.

Architecture

The tomb's Architectural style is influenced by ancient Greek architecture only (two pillars with Dorian capitals), without ancient Egyptian architectural influences.