Matzevah or masseba[1] (Hebrew: מַצֵּבָה maṣṣēḇā; "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.
The Hebrew word matzevah is derived from a root meaning 'to stand', which led 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 a Yiddish-influenced context, it can take the form matzeivah.[3]
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.
In Genesis 28:22, Jacob says "and this stone, which I have set up for a 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 matzevah and made a vow to me...".
The matzevah could also serve as a secular memorial: "Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." (Genesis 35:20) It could also stand as a symbolic witness: upon confronting Jacob in Gilead, Laban declared "This rock-pile is a witness, and this matzevah is a witness, that I will not pass this rock-pile, and you will not pass this rock-pile and this matzevah, for evil." (Genesis 31:52)
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] It may mark the gravesite for purity reasons, as priests (cohanim) are required to avoid defilement through contact with the dead, and a marker (any marker) helps them identify a grave.[3] The name of the deceased written on a stone also allows friends and relatives to identify the grave.[3] A respectable, but unostentatious monument appropriate to heirs' fortune is also a symbolic way to honour the deceased.[3]
