Ecclesiastes is the only OT/Hebrew
Bible book to contain significant reflection
on death itself. The Pentateuch prescribes
death as a penalty, the Historical Books
record it as an event, and the Psalms offer
prayer against its untimely occurrence,
but without significant reflection on the
nature of death itself.
three juxtaposed threads within the
Writings / Kethuvim book Qohelet /
Kohelet / Ecclesiastes
Some verses present tranquil
pictures of the natural rhythms
of birth, old age, and death
(Ecclesiastes 3:2 ; 12:1-8)
or extol the enjoyment of this
life for its own sake and not just
in reaction to death (Eccles. 3: 12-13).
In a key passage, the sage asserts that
death awaits all and obliterates all
knowledge, passion, and activity
(Eccles. 9:1-10). There are occasional
tantalizing glimpses of divine
judgment from both Qohelet / Kohelet
and his epilogist (see Eccles. 3:17
11:9 ; 12:14), though without specifying its
time frame or providing further detail.
These three strands remain unintegrated. . .
Nevertheless the reference to judgment,
whatever their origin, may hint at a future
reckoning.
- - - article in Dictionary of the Old
Testament (2008, IV Press, USA)
"Afterlife" by Prof. Philip Johnston,
Cambridge Univ. U.K.
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