Topical Bible: The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased

◄ The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased ►

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In the Bible, various terms and expressions are used to refer to those who have passed away. These terms often reflect the cultural, theological, and linguistic contexts of the biblical texts. Below are some of the key terms and expressions used in the Scriptures to denote the deceased:

1. Asleep: The term "asleep" is frequently used in the Bible as a metaphor for death, emphasizing the temporary nature of death and the hope of resurrection. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this term when referring to the death of Lazarus: "After He had said this, He told them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up'" (John 11:11). Similarly, the Apostle Paul uses this metaphor in his letters: "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

2. Departed: This term is used to describe those who have left this earthly life. It conveys the idea of leaving or moving from one place to another. In Philippians 1:23, Paul expresses his desire to depart and be with Christ: "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed" .

3. Passed Away: This expression is used to indicate the transition from life to death. It is often employed in a more general sense to describe the end of life. In Revelation 21:4, the phrase is used to describe the end of the old order: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" .

4. Gathered to His People: This phrase is used in the Old Testament to describe the death of the patriarchs and others, indicating a reunion with ancestors or a joining of the community of the deceased. For example, Genesis 25:8 states, "Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people" .

5. Gave Up the Ghost: This archaic expression is found in some translations of the Bible and refers to the act of dying, specifically the moment when the spirit leaves the body. In the account of Jesus' crucifixion, it is recorded, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit" (Matthew 27:50).

6. Fallen Asleep: Similar to "asleep," this term is used to describe those who have died, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul refers to those who have witnessed the risen Christ: "After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep" .

7. Perished: This term is often used to describe those who have died, particularly in the context of judgment or destruction. In John 3:16, the term is used to contrast eternal life with eternal death: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" .

These terms and expressions reflect the biblical understanding of death as a transition rather than an end, with a strong emphasis on the hope of resurrection and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 26:14
They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore have you visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:25
Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife to his brother:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sanctification.
... entire sanctification, In the sense in which I use those terms. ... How then are we to
understand it when used in the ... It is said, "Blessed are the dead who die in ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvii sanctification.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... before Kheops of being able to raise the dead, than the ... They are designated by the
general terms of Shonitiu ... or court of each god; they are used to distinguish ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Elucidations.
... writer (Semler) contends that Tertullian "never used a Greek ... our Lord's descent into
the place of the dead. ... him a certain indecision about the terms and places ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/elucidations.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... reverses, and they treated with the conqueror on equal terms.*. ... eg the quiver, the
sword and javelins used by the ... in the native country of the dead man, who ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... and oppression, she speaks in severest terms, and predicts a ... has expressions very
similar to those used by Hermas ... the souls of the quick and dead; but before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... to the times, and heirlooms from a dead past, they ... certain extent no doubt they had
been used on either ... Winston spoke, indeed, in the highest terms of a prayer ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... skin into parchment, which might be used for sacred ... father's decease, that son were
dead, leaving only a ... Sadducean and priest-party had been convertible terms. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... men, most of whom were now dead, and therefore ... powers, although we grant that the
terms legislature' and legislative' have been sometimes used even among ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Robert Nelson, his Friends, and Church Principles.
... opinion was perfectly sound under the precise terms in which ... the word 'sinful.' If
any word is used which falls ... of the Eucharist and to prayers for the dead. ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter ii robert nelson his.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... Thus I have opened the terms of the proposition ... that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt ... imputed, imputeth, imputing,' &c., are not used in scripture ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm