Death, (properly, מָוֶה, θάνατος). No logical definition of death has been generally agreed upon. This point was much contested in the 17th century by the Cartesian and other theologians and philosophers. Since death can be regarded in various points of view, the descriptions of it must necessarily vary. If we consider the state of a dead man as it strikes the senses, death is the cessation of natural life. If we consider the cause of death, we may place it in that permanent and entire cessation of the feeling and motion of the body which results from the destruction of the body. Among theologians, death is commonly said to consist in the separation of soul and body, implying that the soul still exists when the body perishes. Among the ecclesiastical fathers, Tertullian (De Anima, c. 27) calls it “the disunion of the body and soul.” Cicero (Tusc. Dis. i) defines death to be “the departure of the mind from the body.” The passage Hebrews 4:12, is sometimes cited on this subject, but has nothing to do with it. Death does not consist in this separation, but this separation is the consequence of death. As soon as the body loses feeling and motion, it is henceforth useless to the soul, which is therefore separated from it. SEE DEAD.
Scriptural representations, names, and modes of speech respecting death. —
(1.) One of the most common in the O.T. is to return to the dust, or to the earth. Hence the phrase the dust of death. It is founded on the description in Genesis 2:7; 3:19, and denotes the dissolution and destruction of the body. Hence the sentiment in Ecclesiastes 12:7, “The dust shall return to the earth as it was, the spirit unto God, who gave it.”
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Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia
Keywords: Death
Bible reference(s): 1 Corinthians 15:55, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Peter 1:13, 2 Timothy 4:6, Amos 2:2, Colossians 2:13, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ephesians 2:1, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 9:27, Isaiah 38:12, Jeremiah 2:6, Jeremiah 51:39, Job 10:21, Job 14:1, Job 18:14, Job 38:17, Job 4:21, John 11:13, John 8:44, Jude 1:12, Luke 12:36, Luke 2:26, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 26:24, Philippians 1:23, Proverbs 27:1, Psalms 104:29, Psalms 107:18, Psalms 18:5, Psalms 39:4, Psalms 53:6, Psalms 76:5, Psalms 89:48, Psalms 9:13, Psalms 91:3, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 21:8, Romans 5:12, Romans 7:8, Romans 8:6
Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
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