Dust or Dew - by Janet K Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

An original examination of how Psalm 49, when read in the context of the literature of the Ancient Middle East, reveals new insights into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife.

Book Synopsis

An examination of how Psalm 49, in the context of Ancient Middle Eastern literature, offers insight into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife.

Psalm 49's hints about the afterlife would have been clearly understood in the Ancient Near East, but today they are are less obvious. Smith brings together readings from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbours to enrich an understanding of Psalm 49 capable of developing the readers comprehension of the concepts of Sheol and redemption for the righteous that represent Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife. Dust or Dew brings together ancient and modern soteriology that sheds new light on both the Old and New Testaments.
The author of Psalm 49 reminds all men and women everywhere that death is inevitable and that all pride turns to ashes and worms. Estates are left behind. Death feeds on the corpse. What happens to the soul is the real thrust of the author's production and the theme of this present exploration. The author painted afterlife with the broadest of brushes. His focus was the pride of the rich, but hints at hope for the righteous.'

Review Quotes

[J. Smith] has achieved an impressive breadth of reading [...] She has initiated an important work on an important topic.--Sue Gillingham "Journal of Theological Studies, Vol. 64, No 2, October 2013"

Dust or Dew presents a much-needed comparison of Psalm 49 and its afterlife themes with Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.[...] Smith has accomplished a great deal of work and made many timely connections between the beliefs of Israel and her neighbors.--Lindsey Arielle Askin "Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2013."

In her free-ranging treatment of conceptions of death and the afterlife in Israel and the ancient Near East, S. pulls together a wide variety of sources.--Davida H. Charney "Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 75, 2013"

This interesting book [...] offers new insights into the somewhat elusive theology and eschatology of Ps 49. [...] this careful, comparative investigation is of high interest and suggests new paths of inquiry, especially with regard to the relation between Hebrew notions of afterlife retribution and Zoroastrianism.--Ilaria L.E. Ramelli "Review of Biblical Literature, March 2013"