UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: grave, tomb

Semantic entry: 7.75

Semantic domains: Constructions

Subdomains: Miscellaneous Constructions

Definition: a construction for the burial of the dead; often a natural cave or hewn out of bedrock{N:001}

Notes: In a number of languages it is important to distinguish clearly between a grave (a hole in the ground in which a corpse is placed) and a tomb (a construction built above the surface of the ground for housing a corpse). In some contexts, however, it may be better to use a more generic expression, for example, ‘places where people are buried’ or ‘places where corpses are placed.’ In RV MRK 5:2 · LV MRK 5:2 · Read together MRK 5:2 it is important to avoid a term which would designate merely graves, for the demoniac who met Jesus was not living down in graves in the ground, but had found some habitation either in burial caves or in tombs constructed above ground.

Further resources: realia:4.8.1