About DEATH

Hebrew Name

מָוֶת

English Name

DEATH

Phonetic Spelling

MAH-VET

What does DEATH mean?

Though the Bible is focused almost exclusively on life and how to live in a righteous and Godly way, death is an inescapable reality and a necessary part of God’s creation, as it says, “A time to give birth and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֑ן בְּקׇרְבָתָ֥ם לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּמֻֽתוּ׃
Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aharon who died when they drew too close to the presence of Hashem.
va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHE a-kha-RAY mot sh'-NAY b'-NAY a-ha-RON b'-kor-va-TAM lif-NAY a-do-NAI va-ya-MU-tu
Leviticus 16:1

הַעִדֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּֽחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—if you and your offspring would live
ha-i-do-TEE va-KHEM ha-YOM et ha-sha-MA-yim v'-et ha-A-retz, ha-KHA-yim v'-ha-ma-VET na-ta-TEE l'-fa-NE-kha, ha-b'-ra-KHA v'-ha-k'-la-LAH, u-va-KHAR-ta ba-KHA-yim l'-ma-an ti-KHE-yeh a-TAH v'-zar-E-kha.
Deuteronomy 30:19

Description about DEATH

Though the Bible is focused almost exclusively on life and how to live in a righteous and Godly way, death is an inescapable reality and a necessary part of God’s creation, as it says, “A time to give birth and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2). There are many laws and rituals surrounding death, guiding us through our loved ones’ final moments on this earth, burial, and how to properly mourn during the days, weeks and months after death. These laws include washing and purifying the body of the deceased, burying the dead as quickly as possible, sitting shiva for seven days at home to properly mourn the passing of a close relative, and reciting a special prayer called the Kaddish for eleven months after a relative’s death to honor the deceased. These laws and rituals are critically important for mourners, guiding them and providing them comfort during the most difficult moments of life. Though modern culture generally avoids serious discussion of death, an awareness of the inevitability of death and our limited time on this earth can help us live a more meaningful life. Life is short, and time is a precious commodity that we must appreciate and use to the fullest in our service of God. At the end of days, during the era of redemption, God will resurrect the dead and fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy: “He will swallow up death forever, and God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the reproach of His people will He take away from off all the earth; for God has spoken it” (Isaiah 25:8). May we soon see that day.

Attribute of DEATH

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