The annotation in the Jewish Study Bible to Daniel 12:2-3 states: “This is the only certain bibliographical reference to this doctrine [resurrection], a doctrine that became central in Christian theology and remained a strong current in Judaism as well.” If Daniel Chapters 7-12 were written at the time of the Maccabean revolt (164 B.C.E.), how much of the theology of resurrection might be attributed to the influence of Greek/Platonic thought among the Judean intellectuals of the time?
It’s clear that resurrection is not from early Judaism. In Genesis the reward for righteousness is a long life of good things. I only know the basics of Hellenistic belief in an eternal soul, but I know of no reason to think that wasn’t the source of the idea of resurrection, if the Bible came from men, not God.
The thing about this and Christianity is that resurrection was an established belief among some Jews at the time of Jesus, however that happened, so when Jesus’ followers needed to believe in a new Messiah and new goal for following the Messiah, the idea of resurrection was already a given.
I’ve always felt that this resurrection concept may have come from Zoroastrianism, the religion of the ancient Persians.
From history, as I understand it, prior to the time when the Jewish people were under the control of the ancient Greeks, they were under the control of the ancient Persians.
Check out what Wikipedia (** you do not have permission to see this link **) has to say about Zoroastrianism. Especially the second paragraph under the heading, “Basic beliefs”.
“The religion states that active participation in life through good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. This active participation is a central element in Zoroaster’s concept of ** you do not have permission to see this link **), in which the dead will be revived.“
Elisha raised the dead.
Elisha means the same thing as Jesus. “El saves” instead of “Yeho saves”
not sure if that is resurrection.
There is also the valley of dry bones where YHWH creates an army by adding flesh to bones in Ezekiel.
Quoting Genesis is no help because it is a very late biblical book. Besides, the children make us eternal.
BDEhrman
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Robert
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