Sheol, the Tomb, and the Problem of Postmortem Existence
Open accessAbstract
The Hebrew Bible often portrays Sheol in a manner evocative of the tomb. In texts such as Psalm 88 the tomb is a dreary and isolating symbol. Yet this contrasts with the positive role of the family tomb where the dead are reunited with their ancestors. The ritual analysis of Judahite bench tombs, however, reveals a dynamic concept of death. This suggests that the varying images of the tomb in biblical literature were not contradictory, but reflective of a process of dying that began with burial.
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Arguing Against Death in Biblical Prayer
Yogev, J. (2026) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel17050553
- Authors
- Suriano, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
- Corresponding author
- Suriano, Matthew
- ORCID
- Suriano, Matthew
- Venue
- The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
- Publisher
- University of Alberta Libraries
- Published
- 2016-01-01
- Volume
- 16
- ISSN
- 1203-1542 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2904456360
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Hebrew Scriptures (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Knowledge Commons (Lakehead University)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Keywords
- Sheol, tombs, Hebrew Bible, Psalm 88, family tomb, burial, death, afterlife, ritual analysis
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