Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the concept of "the dead" is multifaceted, encompassing both physical death and spiritual death. Various terms and phrases are used throughout Scripture to describe those who are not alive, each carrying its own theological and contextual significance.1. The Dead (Hebrew: מֵתִים, metim; Greek: νεκροί, nekroi): This is the most straightforward term used to describe those who have physically died. In the Old Testament, the term "metim" is often used in contexts of burial and mourning (e.g., Genesis 23:3-4). In the New Testament, "nekroi" is frequently used, as seen in passages like Matthew 22:32, where Jesus speaks of God as "not the God of the dead, but of the living." 2. The Departed (Hebrew: רְפָאִים, rephaim): This term is often used to refer to the spirits of the dead, particularly in poetic and prophetic literature. For example, Isaiah 14:9 states, "Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you—all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones." 3. The Grave (Hebrew: שְׁאוֹל, Sheol; Greek: ᾅδης, Hades): These terms are used to describe the abode of the dead. Sheol is often depicted as a shadowy place where the dead reside, as in Psalm 6:5 : "For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?" In the New Testament, Hades is similarly used, as in Revelation 1:18 : "I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades." 4. The Unclean (Hebrew: טָמֵא, tamei): In the context of the dead, this term refers to the ritual impurity associated with death. Numbers 19:11 states, "Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days." This underscores the separation between the living and the dead in the ceremonial law. 5. The Sleepers (Greek: κοιμᾶσθαι, koimasthai): This metaphorical term is used in the New Testament to describe those who have died, emphasizing the hope of resurrection. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 , Paul writes, "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. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Him." 6. The Perished (Greek: ἀπολλύμενοι, apollymenoi): This term is used to describe those who are spiritually dead or lost. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 , Paul contrasts those who are being saved with those who are perishing: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 7. The Lost (Greek: ἀπολωλός, apololos): This term is often used to describe those who are spiritually dead or separated from God. In Luke 19:10 , Jesus declares, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." These terms collectively illustrate the biblical understanding of death, both physical and spiritual, and highlight the hope of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 2:18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Matt. xxvi. 67, 68 Regeneration. Matthew xxii. 32 Extracts No. Ii. The Fifth Theological Oration. Acts III Elements of Prophetic Interpretation. Apprehending God Psalm LXXXVIII. Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises, Etc Resources Is Jesus dead? | GotQuestions.orgHow many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What are the Dead Sea Scrolls and why are they important? | 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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