What did the Pharisees believe about the afterlife?
The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, held a variety of beliefs about the afterlife that were both complex and multifaceted. Their views on the afterlife were influenced by their interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, their teachings, and their desire to maintain a close relationship with God. This article aims to explore the various aspects of the Pharisees’ beliefs about the afterlife, including the existence of an afterlife, the nature of the afterlife, and the roles of judgment and reward.
Firstly, the Pharisees firmly believed in the existence of an afterlife. They held that after death, the soul would continue to exist in a state of consciousness. This belief was rooted in their interpretation of several passages in the Hebrew Bible, such as Ecclesiastes 12:7, which states, “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” The Pharisees believed that this spiritual existence would last indefinitely, and that the soul would eventually be resurrected in a physical body.
Secondly, the Pharisees had a nuanced understanding of the nature of the afterlife. They believed that the afterlife would be divided into two realms: the World of the Living and the World of the Dead. The World of the Living was the realm where the soul would exist after death, and it was divided into two sections: the World of the Righteous and the World of the Wicked. The World of the Righteous was a place of rest and reward, where the righteous would enjoy the presence of God and be rewarded for their good deeds. Conversely, the World of the Wicked was a place of punishment and suffering, where the wicked would be separated from God and face eternal damnation.
Furthermore, the Pharisees believed in the importance of judgment and reward in the afterlife. They held that on the Day of Judgment, God would evaluate each person’s actions during their lifetime and assign them to either the World of the Righteous or the World of the Wicked. This belief was rooted in their interpretation of passages such as Daniel 12:2, which states, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” The Pharisees emphasized the importance of living a righteous life, as they believed that one’s actions in this world would have a direct impact on their afterlife.
In addition to the belief in judgment and reward, the Pharisees also held that the afterlife would be characterized by a continuation of the social order. They believed that the relationships and social statuses people held in life would be maintained in the afterlife. This belief was reflected in their teachings, such as the famous “Ten Commandments,” which emphasized the importance of honoring one’s parents and respecting the social order.
In conclusion, the Pharisees held a rich and complex set of beliefs about the afterlife. They firmly believed in the existence of an afterlife, the nature of the afterlife as a continuation of the social order, and the importance of judgment and reward. These beliefs played a significant role in shaping their religious practices and moral values, as they sought to live righteous lives in anticipation of the afterlife.
