Living Dead

Old Testament, Archeology, Sociology of Religion

The present study purports to review various aspects of the cult of the dead in the iron age of Israel. The worship of the dead implies that the dead is connected with and has influence on the living world. Textual evidences on the funerary rites, communal repast with the dead (marzeah), and the veneration of the dead (rephaim) intimates that the death cult was prevalent in the realm of popular religions in ancient Israel. Some archeological evidences also allude to the ongoing practice of the death cult at ancient Israel. Funerary installations such as vessels for food might intend the provision for the deceased. Standing stones (masseboth) that were installed either at graves or at certain cultic places apparently had the function of commemoration of the ancestor as a whole. By offering provision and demonstrating their veneration to the dead, the living could reconcile with the dead in order to secure their favor.