Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
An examination of how Psalm 49, in the context of Ancient Middle Eastern literature, offers insight into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife.
Psalm 49's hints about the afterlife would have been clearly understood in the Ancient Near East, but today they are are less obvious. Smith brings together readings from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbours to enrich an understanding of Psalm 49 capable of developing the readers comprehension of the concepts of Sheol and redemption for the righteous that represent Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife. Dust or Dew brings together ancient and modern soteriology that sheds new light on both the Old and New Testaments.
The author of Psalm 49 reminds all men and women everywhere that death is inevitable and that all pride turns to ashes and worms. Estates are left behind. Death feeds on the corpse. What happens to the soul is the real thrust of the author's production and the theme of this present exploration. The author painted afterlife with the broadest of brushes. His focus was the pride of the rich, but hints at hope for the righteous.'
Psalm 49's hints about the afterlife would have been clearly understood in the Ancient Near East, but today they are are less obvious. Smith brings together readings from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbours to enrich an understanding of Psalm 49 capable of developing the readers comprehension of the concepts of Sheol and redemption for the righteous that represent Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife. Dust or Dew brings together ancient and modern soteriology that sheds new light on both the Old and New Testaments.
The author of Psalm 49 reminds all men and women everywhere that death is inevitable and that all pride turns to ashes and worms. Estates are left behind. Death feeds on the corpse. What happens to the soul is the real thrust of the author's production and the theme of this present exploration. The author painted afterlife with the broadest of brushes. His focus was the pride of the rich, but hints at hope for the righteous.'
Price: $36.95
Pages: 286
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
26 April 2012
Trim Size: 9.02 X 5.98 in
ISBN: 9780227680216
Format: Paperback
Dust or Dew presents a much-needed comparison of Psalm 49 and its afterlife themes with Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.[...] Smith has accomplished a great deal of work and made many timely connections between the beliefs of Israel and her neighbors.
— Lindsey Arielle Askin
This interesting book [...] offers new insights into the somewhat elusive theology and eschatology of Ps 49. [...] this careful, comparative investigation is of high interest and suggests new paths of inquiry, especially with regard to the relation between Hebrew notions of afterlife retribution and Zoroastrianism.
— Ilaria L.E. Ramelli
[J. Smith] has achieved an impressive breadth of reading [...] She has initiated an important work on an important topic.
— Sue Gillingham
In her free-ranging treatment of conceptions of death and the afterlife in Israel and the ancient Near East, S. pulls together a wide variety of sources.
— Davida H. Charney
— Lindsey Arielle Askin
This interesting book [...] offers new insights into the somewhat elusive theology and eschatology of Ps 49. [...] this careful, comparative investigation is of high interest and suggests new paths of inquiry, especially with regard to the relation between Hebrew notions of afterlife retribution and Zoroastrianism.
— Ilaria L.E. Ramelli
[J. Smith] has achieved an impressive breadth of reading [...] She has initiated an important work on an important topic.
— Sue Gillingham
In her free-ranging treatment of conceptions of death and the afterlife in Israel and the ancient Near East, S. pulls together a wide variety of sources.
— Davida H. Charney
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 A Review of Literature on the Afterlife
3 Who Were the Korahites?
4 A Pilgrimage through the Korahite Psalter
5 Psalm 49: A Translation and Commentary
6 The Grim Afterlife of the Ancient Near East
7 The Path of Death or Life in the Hebrew Bible
8 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index of Ancient Documents
Index of Authors
Index of Foreign Gods and Goddesses
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 A Review of Literature on the Afterlife
3 Who Were the Korahites?
4 A Pilgrimage through the Korahite Psalter
5 Psalm 49: A Translation and Commentary
6 The Grim Afterlife of the Ancient Near East
7 The Path of Death or Life in the Hebrew Bible
8 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index of Ancient Documents
Index of Authors
Index of Foreign Gods and Goddesses