Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the restoration of life to the dead serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and compassion. These miraculous events, occurring before the advent of Christ, underscore the divine authority vested in God's prophets and foreshadow the resurrection power that would be fully realized in Jesus Christ. The following are key instances of the dead being restored to life in the Old Testament:1. The Widow's Son at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24): The prophet Elijah is the central figure in this account. During a severe drought, Elijah stays with a widow in Zarephath. Her son falls ill and dies, prompting the widow to question Elijah's presence. Elijah takes the boy to his upper room, prays fervently, and stretches himself upon the child three times. The Lord hears Elijah's plea, and the child's life returns. Elijah presents the revived son to his mother, affirming the power of God and the truth of His word. The Berean Standard Bible records Elijah's prayer: "O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!" (1 Kings 17:21). 2. The Shunammite Woman's Son (2 Kings 4:18-37): Elisha, the successor of Elijah, performs a similar miracle. A Shunammite woman, who had shown great hospitality to Elisha, is blessed with a son. Years later, the child dies suddenly. The distraught mother seeks Elisha, who returns with her to her home. Elisha enters the room where the child lies, prays to the Lord, and stretches himself upon the child. The boy sneezes seven times and opens his eyes, restored to life. Elisha's actions demonstrate the continuation of God's miraculous power through His prophets. 3. The Man Raised at Elisha's Tomb (2 Kings 13:20-21): Even after his death, Elisha's influence remains potent. As a group of Israelites is burying a man, they hastily throw his body into Elisha's tomb to avoid a band of Moabite raiders. Upon contact with Elisha's bones, the man revives and stands on his feet. This extraordinary event highlights the enduring power of God associated with His prophet, even beyond the grave. These instances of resurrection in the Old Testament not only reveal God's compassion and power but also serve as precursors to the New Testament accounts of resurrection, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They illustrate the hope of life beyond death and the ultimate victory over mortality that is central to the Christian faith. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 17:22And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 4:34-36 2 Kings 13:21 Library Was Christ's a Real Death? Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness ... The Acts of the Apostles The Reward of the Righteous Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by ... Translators' Preface. Tillotson -- the Reasonableness of a Resurrection Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection. The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog. Resources What is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said "Let the dead bury the dead" (Luke 9:60)? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day of the Dead? | GotQuestions.org Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Dead (People): The Widow's Son Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean The Dead were Washed and Laid Out The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin The Dead: Freedom from the Law The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ The Dead: Man's State by Nature The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of The Dead: Return not to This Life The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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