Death & Afterlife: The Ancient Hebrew View 

Hey everyone, I wanted to clarify, as I can see many are not getting this...this series has NOTHING to do with what I believe, you might believe, or even should believe. I am a historian of religions, not a theologian--the main thing I deal with is the "history of ideas." That history is what it is. It is really ignorant for someone to say--Hey, Tabor's video is "false," unless that person is thinking I got some facts wrong--which I am quite certain I did not...And if so I would be glad to correct. The whole series is the same...we are looking at what these periods and cultures BELIEVED...it is called "education." Enjoy! P.S. At the end of the lecture I said the Hebrew view might be seen as depressing--and that was my intention. Let me explain briefly. In this Biblical view death is DEATH--not life. It is terminal, for all--the small and the great. It is the great "equalizer." There is nothing about judgement, heaven, hell...these ideas come in much later. To really understand the Hebrew view of things, one has to realize that--so that eternal life is a gift, something allowed by the Creator, not something inherent in the creation of humankind--even in the image of God. This was the view of Abraham, Moses, all the Prophets. It is stark, realistic, and death is an absolute REVERSAL of Genesis 2:6. Without that perception, the later views of resurrection of the DEAD...make no sense. We will cover this in detail but I wanted to offer this very brief explanation here. Another, P.S. Please hold your horses on the full Hebrew view as it unfolds. Of course I know about Enoch and Elijah, as well as the seance from the medium of Endor...and Job's wish for a "Redeemer," but all of this is coming as we delve into things more fully--and include later texts. What I presented in this video was the fundamental ground work and concepts of death and Sheol.

Dr. Tabor, there are many foreign bots, and critics, and especially critical are people without the prerequisite knowledge of how education works. I absolutely appreciate the wonderful scholarship you share with those of us who DO understand and appreciate your expertise. I was unable to take classes from you as my Prof, yet I know a great one when I hear a lecture. I’ve had some extraordinary Professors of history, and you are extremely professional in how you teach ABOUT religion…..a very delicate subject indeed. Therein lies the distinction in simple terms. Teaching religion in a seminary is much different than teaching about a particular religion in its historical context. Please don’t be deterred from continuing this wonderful and intellectually inspiring lecture series. I am truly grateful to you. Thank you ever so much. 🤓

Dr. Tabor, I’ve just discovered this. As a young man (24) that knows the common way is not the only way, I praise any teacher that lays out the facts without a hidden agenda. Your efforts will help me find my path, thank you and keep up the great work.

Anyone else ever died before? I've died and darkness was mostly a view. Yet when I heard a Voice speek. "It's Not Your Time" I felt a pressure on my chest. In my spirit pressed back into my body. And waking up in the hospital. After a week of being hit by a car.

Thank you so much. I never got to study this at uni and you answer questions I had for decades. So grateful🙏💖

Great video Dr Tabor I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to your next video coming up in the series!

Thank you Dr. Tabor! Love your material! I listen to you while working and sleeping! You’re up there with Derek and Neal! ❤

Dr. Tabor, words can't express how happy and grateful I am for this series. I've wanted to study under you for a couple of decades now but life has always prohibited it. Now I get my chance. Thank you so much!

Excellent video Dr. Tabor! Great analysis of the historical ideas of death and afterlife of the Hebrews/Israelites. Looking forward to further releases in this series!

Great video. One of the amazing things about RU-vid video watchers is that some of them just cannot understand the concept of teaching about the history of what people believed. They apparently live in a box with limited viewing capabilities and a recording that says, "If the video teaches something you don't believe, it must be wrong, and your job is to set the presenter straight." You may as well just make a copy of your explanation of the video and automatically post it in every description. Good luck with getting them to "Get It'. They just don't seem to be able to do that. The rest of us are on board and are learning much from your presentations. Thanks for all you do.

Absolutely fascinating and informative, as usual.

Thank you sir. I've been waiting for a series like this!

Thanks for a great video to start another thought provoking series.

Thank you James. This was excellent and very much appreciated. 🙂♥

I am only at the beginning and already I am so happy to have found this information. Thank you!

Thank you, Dr. Tabor. Always appreciate your work!

Finally, somebody who is talking about flat earth and the after life. I’ve been searching for you for years

This is a very interesting series you are starting and I am very excited to see it. There is one thing that complexes me and I was wondering if you could maybe do a video on it in the future. Sacrifice. Where did that come from? Why did so many ancient religions around the world practice sacrifice? Even Jesus was a sacrifice. Thank you for your videos and sharing your knowledge with us.

Dr. Tabor - Excellent presentation + your PDF was enlightening. Thank you! ♥♥♥♥

Just found your channel, & subscribed with alerts. The different series you talked about all sound very intriguing. I look forward to all of your future videos & will watch your older videos while waiting for your upcoming videos.

Great material 👍 Very good presentation.

My husband and I can't wait to go through this with Mr. Tabor. Looking forward to a great study on death and afterlife.

Wow, Dr Tabor, you are a smart man and thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge. I look forward to learning from from you. Have an awesome day.

Very good explanation, very few people spend the time for this education, but will feverishly debate these topics. So easy to get caught up in the emotional sphere for the massess.

Your patience with all the chatter in comments is commendable. Thank you.

I'm excited too see what is next

Thank you for sharing your scholarship and research on this subject.

Dr, Tabor Thank you for your insight on death in the ancient times. I love to listen to truth regarding history of our ancestors the knowledge that you learn is so insightful. Just listening an learning how far this world has come is magnificent in itself. Thanks again for your time you have took to study to engaged us on the after life. I am excited to watch this intriguing video that you uploaded. I love all things biblical especially Yawweh❤ Amen.

❤ this video Dr. Tabor, extremely clear & helpful. This is why I think we need solid academic/secular religious studies in high schools. Ignorance or worse, misinformation, is rampant while these texts continue to hold power & worse, get weaponized. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Great lesson. Thank you

Thank you so much this it, was so refreshing, someone to explain, there perception on the ancients, and how they are derived, clarifying that what I heard was not what I just wanted to hear! I Totally resonated with all of your teachings there. I am like a young girl at school with my books and pencil case out writing all my notes, thank you for all the amazing literature, I am going to explore now, that the pdf is printed off. 🎉

I enjoy it. It’s interesting to me that, you’ll not start at the beginning as you said at one point during the last few minutes of your broadcast cast. I look forward to hearing more of how you’ll fit yourself into the story.

I woke up this morning 🌄, and within the first second was happy to say Good morning Lord! Thank you for allowing me to wake up and enjoy another day ❤️. Drank my coffee ☕ and had no desire to go to social media or watch something on TV. I craves to read my Bible. So I began in the beginning of the Bible... And as I Red, it bugged me that I don't know what's being said, I don't know what firmament is?... An what'd you know! 🎉 One of the first videos I see when I open RU-vid this morning as I begin my work day was your video with that same word in your thumbnail "Firmament"

I'm so glad I found your work. I've been interested in the history of the Bible for a long time and your work is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the way you talk about all aspects, history, myth, theology, culture, philosophy etc making it clear what we know, and what we assume or guess. This might be typical within academia but that's not easily accessible to lay people. My main interest was the very early history of Christianity, especially how it survived the First Jewish-Roman War, and I've recently watched your videos on that era. But I'm also interested in the emergence of Judaism. I've read a couple of books by one of your contemporaries but I find his style too rambling and unnecessarily verbose.

Your channel randomly popped up on my feed, and what a nice surprise. Thank you.

Oh what a delight to find you ❤🎉blessings dry bones arise

I love your books and videos! Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge with everyone. I’m the nerd and heretic in our family lol Huge fan of TRUTH, facts and thinking for myself. Thanks again

Great video thank you. I came across this and found it interesting because of "sheol" as I have "died" twice in this life and come back. The second time I remember the entire experience and there was a void where there was a sort of judgement. No external being but just judgement of self I suppose. Before I "died" I felt it coming for me and even started preparing myself.. At first there was immense pain, an intense piercing sound that was tearing me apart from the inside but I had no body. I was being pulled down backwards into the pit. It was hell, that is hell. Perpetuating and ever increasing pain torment and torture. I surrendered to it and it ended. Once there in the pit I call it the void there was nothing, absolutely nothing, no god, spirit or others. Then you're reminded of the guilt and shame you hold. Cutting to the end of that specific experience I came back, I do not know why but when I came back my memory was almost gone. I recognised people but didn't know who they were. It really changed me that much I moved thousands of kilometres away and started a new life.. at 25. First "death" was at 5 years.

Very insightful! Looking forward for more.

What a particular interesting set of topics, I will be watching.

Great teacher

Dr. Tabor, That was one of the best and most accurate explanations of the ancient Hebrew view of death that I’ve seen from someone that wasn’t a JW. 😂Impressed that you brought out Ecclesiastes chapter 3 which most Christians or Jews either completely ignore or don’t even know it exists. We all share but one spirit or breath of life and there is no superiority of man over beast for they all die the exact same way, they simply return to the dust. The hope of a resurrection however is held out in the book of Job here; “If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. 15 You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.”-Job 14:14-15 The idea of soul sleep, as presented in the Hebrew scriptures, is quite clear and it’s even repeated by Jesus when he discusses the death of Lazarus and likens his death to that of sleep from which he was going to awaken him. I didn’t hold out much hope that you were going to get this right since the predominant view is so often regurgitated without thought. I was pleasantly surprised!

This is amazing content. Thank you 🙏🏽. Yah bless everyone here.

Wonderfull! Can't wait to watch the whole series. Thanks very much for sharing you knowledge sir.

This was very interesting. I’m in a biblical study with another scholar who’s teaching the bible basics of theology. You both compliment each other. Are you reading the Dead Sea scrolls now available? They are interesting as well. Thanks for these teachings. I’m so tired of pablum in learning and programming what we need to think according to our privileged rich and destitute moralists.

Thanx Dr JT! As an exJehovahs Witness, I was generally informed of this. It is essentially the JW view with the hope for future access to the Tree of Life here on the earth. I look forward to more! =)

I liked the presentation with you visible. the slide large, and the cursor serving as the pointer. I finally quit trying to use my cursor to roll the slides back and forth. 🙂 I have a much better understanding of the subject. Thank you. Now to watch No. 2

Such an awesome video. Thanks for you work 🙏

Matthew 16:6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Dr. Tabor, great so far, looking forward to the series. 1) wasn’t death the initial plan? Otherwise the tree of life seems superfluous; 2) age of knowledge of good and bad- any relation to Isaiah’s prophecy to King Ahaz? Thanks!

fascinating as always, Dr Tabor.

Incredible work! I am impressed. Subscribed

There's an even more ancient view called the pre-religion time, in which people, Followers of Horus, practiced ascension using the empty sarcophagi that were not meant for mummies but sensory deprivation.. Seems it was what, dimension-hopping or really ascension into heaven? They practiced and taught it for about 30 millennia until recently; a ceremony is depicted in the Kolbrin Bible.

I love these teachings ..I wanna learn more about the bible and more about my Lord so thank you sir and may God bless you .

So interesting. I’m going to listen to it again.

I saw it when I had flatlined in 2017!! Our planet is flat!.... the two large pillars on each side and "Sheol" was dark and shaped like a cone... I will never forget that rubber band pull !!! The experience brought me to the book of Genesis and my life began 🙏❤️ TY YAHUA for your grace!!! .. and thank you Dr. Tabor, it is so lovely finding your channel 🙏

I have a question which also fits to the topic and cant find an answer. I am currently researching as a layman what first Christians believed about Jesus resurrection and many early sources point to a spiritual resurrection, not a bodily like Lazarus. So here i found a quote of Jerome about the Ebionites. He says in one translation that they believed Jesus "ascended" to heaven, no resurrection mentioned. But other translations say that he was "rose again" instead of "ascended". I dont know Latin or Greek and i am little bit confused about the translation. Maybe someone can help me. Here is the quote: Jerome In his Epistle 75, to Augustine, he said: "What shall I say of the Ebionites who pretend to be Christians? To-day there still exists among the Jews in all the synagogues of the East a heresy which is called that of the Minæans, and which is still condemned by the Pharisees; [its followers] are ordinarily called 'Nasarenes'; they believe that Christ, the son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary, and they hold him to be the one who *suffered under Pontius Pilate and ascended to heaven,* and in whom we also believe. But while they pretend to be both Jews and Christians, they are neither" Here is the other translation:" The adherents to this sect are known commonly as Nazarenes; they believe in Christ the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary; and they say that He who suffered under Pontius Pilate *and rose again,* is the same as the one in whom we believe."

I'm very attracted to the flat disk concept of earth.

Thanks for breaking this down, And it didn’t feel like you were preaching, but actually teaching. That’s important to me

Thank you for sharing. Always good to hear a different point of view.

I use the title ''Lord'' with my religious family and friends, because they assume that my understanding of the Lord is the same as theirs. This avoids the unpleasantness of ''my Lord'' versus your ''Lord.'' I am a firm believer in a *''First Cause Creator''* - outside of traditional religions. Our precisely created, fine-tuned, amazingly beautiful Universe/Earth, along with my personal awareness of it all, is utterly Miraculous to me. I don't know the ultimate purpose of this Creation, or why humans are allowed to be so extremely hateful and destructive toward other humans. Enlightened folks would like to see Authentic JUSTICE, in this world - on behalf of victims - against evil-doers. Me too, but I'm not holding my breath.

Hi James, I was wondering if you pray before you release these videos or if you rely on guidance and discernment from the holy spirit or if you produce this content from strictly an academic\intellectual perspective ?

Hi James. A fellow brother Eric recommended that I watch your video. Thank you for all your work. This requires some careful thinking . . .

Thank you, Dr. Tabor

Why are all the craters on the moon round. Every impact happened at a 90 degree angle to the surface. None came in at an angle and caused an oblong shaped crater. Which raises the question, if the pictures of the lunar lander are authentic, and it used a powerful rocket to land softly on the dust covered surface, where is the blast crater from the rocket? No dust on anything. Just gold foil and cardboard and probably staples if you look critically. Asking the right questions is impossible for those who have believed a lie. The space suits won't fit out the door of the lander and there is no place to store them in the tiny space inside. So what's the only conclusion? When you eliminate every possibility, whatever is left, no matter how unlikely, must be the truth. No man has ascended into heaven except Jesus Christ. That's the Gospel of those who swear by the God of Truth!

earth is flat its true

Been watching you and your dissertations for years, doctor. I admire your work, and it’s good to see you still active. You can die a happy man in the far future; you’ve lit the candle for so many that eventually becomes the torch we know as the light. Keep that powder dry; and long live the republic! PS: “I meant for this to be depressing….” A true scholar. ;) haha

this was very helpful. Thank you MR.Tabor. Thank you.

bottom line is that earth, planets , sun and moon are not what we were taught!!!!!! thanks.

The earth is under our firmament as a fact 🤲 we are inside the sphere not « on » the sphere here the controverse vs héliocentric theory ( y the moon is still visible in day light) because they are so close to the firmament looking for (HALLO SUN DOG ) here our firmament 🙌✊👊 thks Mr Tabor 🤝

Thank you for sharing this with us!

Thank you for your work. Really nice video.

Wonderful work. Thank you for spreading free education.

Very interesting! Thank you so much!

Thank You I really benefited from your series!

Doc you gave an excellent explanation. Thank you for this

Very interesting, thank you.

You called this one "depressing" (lol) I can't wait for the next. It can only go up from here in terms of our eternal hope which I absolutely do believe in. I do agree with you regarding the fallacy of the immortal soul doctrine. My preference would have been to have an immortal soul, but it's quite clear, and will become even clearer as you go along that the Bible doesn't teach it, in saying that, it doesn't mean there is no hope for us after we die. This lecture was fascinating as are all of your presentations, Dr. Tabor. Thank you and I can't wait for the next:-) We are all seeking the truth wherever it may lead.🧚‍♀

Thank you very much for this Dr. Tabor

One of your better works yet.

Very interesting. I will be following you. Thank you.

Great video! Thank you.

Thank you for all this information.

Wow! Extraordinary exposition

Really cool presentation.

That was dope!

enjoyed very much

I am enjoying this series

Invaluable video. Thanks!

Great work doc

Absolutely inthralled! Thank you!

I appreciated this, thank you.

Thank you for your work!!!!

💕👍 reading the tibetan and egyptian book of the death was very interesting, in my youth...

Amazing. Thank you.

That picture of the earth zone is awesome!

I never noticed the Deut 1:39 point. That's an interesting rabbit hole, thanks!

Well explained sir.

Very interesting 👌

Thank you. That was great.