Shefaram Tombs - Byzantine period (5th-6th century) rock hewn burial cave.
The tombs are located in the Christian section of Shefaram, exactly south to the fortress of Shefaram.
Burial cave 1 (in order from west to east):
The most western Burial cave, cave 1, is decorated with grape vines growing out of vases meeting together, twining around a flower in the center of the entrance. Above the entrance, two birds flank a small cross.
On both sides of the door is a Greek inscription: Lord Christ, save Sam ...?, and have pity on me and my children.
The eastern wall shows a lioness springing over a pomegranate tree and towards the entrance, and a young cub (The western wall of the entrance shows the same motif).
Under houses...
burial caves hidden in the yards of houses
burial caves hidden in the yards of houses
Burial cave 2:
burial cave without decorations
burial cave without decorations
Burial cave 3:
The door is decorated with grape vines growing out of vases on both sides, as in cave #1, and they meet together at a flower rosette. In the corners are dolphins.
Above the entrance, two birds flank a small cross. An Alpha and Omega letters appear on both bottom sides of the cross
The side walls are decorated with trees, birds, amphorae, fish, large faces within a knot, a lion (east) and a lioness (west).
The door is decorated with grape vines growing out of vases on both sides, as in cave #1, and they meet together at a flower rosette. In the corners are dolphins.
Above the entrance, two birds flank a small cross. An Alpha and Omega letters appear on both bottom sides of the cross
The side walls are decorated with trees, birds, amphorae, fish, large faces within a knot, a lion (east) and a lioness (west).
The eastern wall (left) is decorated with trees, birds, amphorae, fish, a large face within a knot (sun and moon), and a lion.
The western wall (right) has similar decorations, but with a lioness. The face on the left side is with closed eyes and the face on the right with open eyes. And perhaps these faces symbol the moon and sun.
Isaiah 60:19-20 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more;the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
The western wall (right) has similar decorations, but with a lioness. The face on the left side is with closed eyes and the face on the right with open eyes. And perhaps these faces symbol the moon and sun.
Isaiah 60:19-20 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more;the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
(detail) Above the entrance an Alpha and Omega on both bottom sides of the cross.
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” .
Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts".
Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last".
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” .
Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts".
Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last".
The western wall, decorated with amphorae, trees, pomegranate, birds, fish, a large face within a knot, and a lioness.
The lions and their pubs: Revelation 5:5 "But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals".
The lions and their pubs: Revelation 5:5 "But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals".
Burial cave 4:
This tomb has no decorations
This tomb has no decorations
The Last Tomb
the base of the set is an old burial cave.
the base of the set is an old burial cave.
