5α HEBREW LIFE AND CUSTOM
obviously apotropaic and was intended to avert an
occurrence of the catastrophe when Uzzah died. The
dances of girls in the vineyard,1 like the vintage songs,2 as
well as the dancing after a sacrificial feast,3 probably had
their origin in nature-worship superstition.
MOURNING
In the strongest contrast to occasions of rejoicing were
those of mourning. The most common cause of ceremonial
mourning was, naturally, death ; but great catastrophes
produced in many respects like manifestations of grief.
Upon the receipt of bad news or in the presence of sudden
calamity, it was customary to rend the clothes4 and to
sprinkle earth or ashes upon the head.5 Hair cloth (c sack-
cloth’) was adopted as clothing.6 This, which resembled
the outer covering of the professional prophets,7 was worn
next to the skin,8 but sometimes apparently over other
clothing 9 or at least externally.
Previous to the introduction of the Deuteronomic law,10
which forbids the shaving of the front part of the head, the
head was shaved—apparently entirely11—and the beard
clipped.12 We read also of the covering of the head13 in
mourning, and also of the lips.14 Among those who habi-
tually wore some covering to the head it was a sign of
mourning to let the hair go loose,15 which normally
ɪ Judges xxi. 19 ff. ’ Isa. lxv. 8 ; cf. Jer. xxv. 30.
3 Exod. xxxii. 19.
4 Gen. xxxvii. 34 ; Joshua vii. 6 ; ɪ Sam. iv. 12 ; 2 Sam. i. 2, xiii.
31, &c.
5 Joshua vii. 6 ; x Sam. iv. 12 ; 2 Sam. i. 2.
* Gen. xxxvii. 34 ; ɪ Kings xx. 31 ; Isa. xxii. 12 ; Jer. iv. 8, &c.
7 2 Kings i. 8 ; Zech, xiii. 4.
8 i Kings xxi. 27 ; 2 Kings vi. 30; Job xvi. 15.
’ 2 Kings xix. i ; cf. Isa. xx. 2 f. “ Deut. xiv. ι.
π Mic. i. 16 ; Isa. xv. 2 ; Jer. xlviii. 37 ; Ezek. vii. 18.
” Ezek. vii. 18 ; Jer. xli. 5 ; contrast Lev. xix. 28.
ŋ 2 Sam. xv. 30 ; cf. xix. 4 ; Jer. xiv. 3.
'4 Mic. iii. 7 ; Ezek. xxiv. 17, 22 ; cf. Lev. xiii. 45.
« Lev. x. 6, xxi. 10; Ezek. xxiv. 17.
MOURNING, LAMENTS 53
(like the hair of an orthodox Greek priest) would be
coiled up.
Another sign of mourning, likewise forbidden by the
Deuteronomic law, was the laceration of parts of the body.1
It seems also to have been a sign of mourning to go bare-
foot.2 Mourners beingregarded as under Divine displeasure,
were subject to various taboos, their food being regarded
as unclean.3
DEATH
Dead bodies, even of heroes/ were regarded as unclean.5
To be unburied,6 or buried without due form and cere-
mony,’ was regarded as a painful indignity. For the dead,
clothes should be rent8 and audible lamentation made.’
Professional wailers, usually women (m'kôrfnoth),10 were
employed to sing the lament or wake-song (kina), but
others also joined in.11 Besides the Book OfLamentations
(over Jerusalem) we have David’s kînôth over Saul and
Jonathan12 and over Abner ɪ3 : there is also a mock lament
in the form of a kina over the King of Babylon.14 At
burials there were also burnings of spices, ɪs
’ Jer. xvi. 6, xli. 5. * 2 Sam. xv. 30 ; Ezek. xxiv. ɪ 7.
3 Hos. ix. 4. 4ι Sam. xxxi. 12, ɪɜ.
5 Num. xix. ɪɪ, ɪɜ ff. 6 Gen. iv. 10.
7 Jer. xxii. 18, 19. 8 2 Sam. iii. 31 ; 2 Chron. xxxv. 24.
9 2 Sam. iiɪ. 33 f. ; 2 Chron. xxxv. 25.
w Jer. ix. 16 (E.V. ver. 17). ” Amos v. 16.
” 2 Sam. i. 17-27. ɪ3 2 Sam. iii. 33 f. '4 Isa. xiv. 4-21.
4 2 Chron. xvi. 14; cf. Jer. xxxiv. 5 ; Amos vi. 10.