Full Description
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.'
Contents
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
