Resurrection of the dead represents one of the more enigmatic beliefs of Western religions to many modern readers. In this volume, C. D. Elledge offers an interpretation of some of the earliest literature within Judaism that exhibits a confident hope in resurrection. He not only aids the study of early Jewish literature itself, but expands contemporary knowledge of some of the earliest expressions of a hope that would become increasingly meaningful in later Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Elledge focuses on resurrection in the latest writings of the Hebrew Bible, the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as the writings of other Hellenistic Jewish authors. He also incorporates later rabbinic writings, early Christian sources, and inscriptions, as they shed additional light upon select features of the evidence in question. This allows for a deeper look into how particular literary works utilized the discourse of resurrection, while also retaining larger comparative insights into what these materials may teach us about the gradual flourishing of resurrection within its early Jewish environment. Individual chapters balance a more categorical/comparative approach to the problems raised by resurrection (definitions, diverse conceptions, historical origins, strategies of legitimation) with a more specific focus on particular pieces of the early Jewish evidence (1 Enoch, Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus). Resurrection of the Dead in Early Judaism, 200 BCE-CE 200 provides a treatment of resurrection that informs the study of early Jewish theologies, as well as their later reinterpretations within Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity.

"Elledge does an excellent job of describing the wide range of viewpoints concerning the afterlife (including annihilationism, the denial of an afterlife) within early Judaism." - Glenn B. Siniscalchi, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly

"The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead coupled with the immortality of the soul are extant in contemporary practice and belief of Orthodox Judaism. Non-Orthodoxy believes in the immortality of the soul but less in the resurrection of the dead. Questions? Elledge's erudite volume on developing resurrection ideas within early Judaism is a place to start." - Zev Garber, Reading Religion

"This book stands out because of its scale and thoroughness, and its overall excellent presentation and discussions. It should, as such, be recommended to all who are interested not only in the study of resurrection beliefs in early Judaism but also in early Christianity, Antiquity, and Judaism in general. Resurrection of the Dead in Early Judaism^ deservesR to remain a standard volume on this subject for quite some time." - Dag Øistein Endsjø, Religion