TY - JOUR
T1 - Aramaic tombstones from Zoar and Jewish conceptions of the afterlife
AU - Wilfand, Yael
PY - 2009/9/1
Y1 - 2009/9/1
N2 - This study utilizes thirty epitaphs, found near the Dead Sea shore, to explore afterlife concepts within the Jewish community of Zoar. The interpretation of these late antiquity epitaphs reveals a comprehensive view regarding the afterlife. This view contains an expectation for the resurrection of the dead that will occur when the "announcer of peace," i.e., the anointed king, arrives. At that time, the Temple will be rebuilt and priests will return to their work. In the meantime, it was hoped that the deceased would have a peaceful rest. The tombstones articulate these expectations also through the use of the word "shalom" which conveys two meanings: (1) it is the symbol of the deliverance, and (2) it is also the symbol of the condition of the dead while waiting for the resurrection.
AB - This study utilizes thirty epitaphs, found near the Dead Sea shore, to explore afterlife concepts within the Jewish community of Zoar. The interpretation of these late antiquity epitaphs reveals a comprehensive view regarding the afterlife. This view contains an expectation for the resurrection of the dead that will occur when the "announcer of peace," i.e., the anointed king, arrives. At that time, the Temple will be rebuilt and priests will return to their work. In the meantime, it was hoped that the deceased would have a peaceful rest. The tombstones articulate these expectations also through the use of the word "shalom" which conveys two meanings: (1) it is the symbol of the deliverance, and (2) it is also the symbol of the condition of the dead while waiting for the resurrection.
KW - Afterlife
KW - Dating formulas
KW - Epitaphs
KW - Resurrection
KW - Shalom
KW - Zoar
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=75149177126&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1163/157006309x443521
DO - 10.1163/157006309x443521
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AN - SCOPUS:75149177126
SN - 0047-2212
VL - 40
SP - 510
EP - 539
JO - Journal for the Study of Judaism
JF - Journal for the Study of Judaism
IS - 4-5
ER -