Dust or Dew
Immortality in the Ancient Near East and in Psalm 49
Published on 26. April 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
286 pages
978-0-227-68021-6 (ISBN)
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.'
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.'
Reviews / Votes
"Dust or Dew presents a much-needed comparison of Psalm 49 and its afterlife themes with Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.[...]Smith has accomplished a great deal of work and made many timely connections between the beliefs of Israel and her neighbors."
Lindsey Arielle Askin, Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2013.
"This interesting book [...] offers new insights into the somewhat elusive theology and eschatology of Ps 49. [...] this careful, comparative investigation is of high interest and suggests new paths of inquiry, especially with regard to the relation between Hebrew notions of afterlife retribution and Zoroastrianism."
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli, Review of Biblical Literature, March 2013
'[J. Smith] has achieved an impressive breadth of reading [...] She has initiated an important work on an important topic.'
Sue Gillingham, Journal of Theological Studies, Vol. 64, No 2, October 2013
'In her free-ranging treatment of conceptions of death and the afterlife in Israel and the ancient Near East, S. pulls together a wide variety of sources.'
Davida H. Charney, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 75, 2013
"... an original examination of how Psalm 49, when read in the context of the literature of the Ancient Middle East, reveals new insights into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife".
Theological Book Review (tbr), Vol. 25, No.2, 2013
"This is an imaginative and engagingly written study that is open about its own commitments, and abreast of a wide range of literature and
ideas."
Brian Kelly, Evangelical Quarterly, vol 86, issue 2, (April 2014)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
425 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-227-68021-6 (9780227680216)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2012
James Clarke & Co Ltd
€24.49
Available for download
Person
Janet Smith is a former geologic draftsperson and illustrator. She holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Union Institute & University, Ohio.
Content
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
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