Death, Burial, and Afterlife in the Biblical World: How the Israelites and Their Neighbors Treated the Dead
While the religion of the Bible has long fascinated readers and scholars, the Israelite attitude toward death remains clouded in mystery even though certain mortuary customs have been passed intact through the ages into modern Judaism. The inherently conservative nature of burial practices and related beliefs explains why, despite being vilified by kings, a Cult of the Dead survived for centuries among the common people. Rachel Hallote's fascinating book examines the archaeological, literary,...
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Based upon archaeological evidence, Hallote (Jewish studies, Purchase College, SUNY) examines cultural practices and beliefs relating to the dead in ancient Israel. She contends that despite the Mosaic prohibition against the worship of any god but Yahweh, a Cult of the Dead persisted for centuries among the common people. She further argues that evidence from burial sites shows that the various ancient religions in the land of the Bible had many similarities with one another. Annotation © Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Choice Hallote presents a compelling picture of death and dying in ancient Israel...[it] definitely deserves a place in...academic libraries.
Preface5Acknowledgments9Introduction111Death in the Biblical World272The Cult of the Dead in Ancient Israel543A History of Death in the Land of the Bible694The Death Customs and Beliefs of Israel's Neighbors1025The Biblical Origins of Hell and the Devil1236Resurrection and Lack of Death in the Bible1367Death in Rabbinic Judaism1508Jewish Death in the Modern World1699A History of Mortuary Theory18010The Politics of Death in Israel194Afterword208Appendix210Notes213Bibliography223Index228
\ CHOICE[Hallotte's book] definitely deserves a place in the collections of most academic libraries.\ — Wade Kotter\ \ \ \ \ Jerusalem PostFull of fascinating, albeit religiously controversial material.\ \ \ Pennsylvania State UniversityA sparkling synthesis of the land of Israel to this day...masterful control...a wonderful read.\ — Baruch Halpern\ \ \ \ \ Religous Studies ReviewThis book, suitable for a lay or profession audience, provides a highly readable and engaging non-technical and general introduction to the topic of death and the afterlife in ancient Isreal through modern times.\ — Killebrew, Ann E.\ \ \ \ \ Ann E. KillebrewThis book...provides a highly readable and engaging non-technical and general introduction ... \ —Religious Studies Review\ \ \ \ \ ChoiceHallote presents a compelling picture of death and dying in ancient Israel...[it] definitely deserves a place in...academic libraries.\ \ \ \ \ Jerusalem PostFull of fascinating, albeit religiously controversial, material.\ \
