Topic: The Ancient Israelite view on life after death.
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As in most of the cases where ancient history and particularly ancient religious history is concerned, there is disagreement among scholars as to how to interpret the events. The view of ancient Israelites concerning life after death is no exception. Some scholars contend that the Israelites had no real concept of life after death till late in their history some 500 years before Christ. As well, they claim that this idea of life after death came not from God but instead from their contact with the Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations. Other scholars contend that the Israelites had their own notions regarding life after death. Though, since their emphasis was on how to live the present life in obedience to God, their ideas regarding life after death are muted and were communicated implicitly instead of explicitly.