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 and related contexts, such as the Canaanite and the Nabataean ones. Massebot can also mark graves.
The Hebrew word matzevah is derived from a root meaning 'to stand', which led to the meaning of 'pillar'.[2]
In transcription, many spellings are possible.[3] It's spelled two ways in Hebrew in one verse, Edodus 24:4, like "mazzebach" and "matzebah".
(...)ויבנ מזבח תחת ההר ושתים עשרה מצבה(...)...wibn mzbch thchth hhr wshthim oshrh mtzbh ...[4]
Use of the exclusive word can be found in multi=yes and 3:4 HE.
Jacob set up four massebot in the canon.
In 28:22 HE, Jacob says "and this stone, which I have set up for a matzevah, shall be God's house" and in 31:13 HE 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...".
"Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." (35:20 HE) It could also stand as a 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." (31:52 HE)
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]