2. The concept of the soul - Ancient Judaism

Where does the Christian concept of the soul come from?

Judaism and ancient Greek philosophy

what does Judaism believe the physical body is infused with

'the breath of life' from God

where does the breath of life concept appear in the bible

Genesis 2:7 when god 'breathed into his nostrils the breath of life'

what does Adam turn into

nephesh hayyah (living being)

what is nephesh translated to

soul

what does ruach mean?

'psyche or spirit'

why is ruach hovering above the waters important in genesis 1?

because the idea that we are made by god and go back to him comes from this

when did they start to believe in an afterlife?

period before jesus

why did they believe in an afterlife

because god is eternal and we come from god so life doesnt end after death

what prophecies were in the book of Daniel

'many of those who sleep in the dust of earth shall awake to some everlasting life'