The doctrine of the resurrection, while more explicitly developed in the New Testament, finds its roots in the Old Testament scriptures. This foundational belief in life after death and the eventual resurrection of the body is woven throughout the Hebrew Bible, offering glimpses of hope and divine promise to the faithful.

1. Early Indications of Resurrection Hope

The concept of resurrection is subtly introduced in the earliest texts of the Old Testament. In the book of Genesis, the patriarchs express a belief in life beyond the grave. For instance, Job, amidst his suffering, declares his hope in a Redeemer and a future bodily resurrection: "Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (Job 19:26). This statement reflects an early understanding of personal resurrection and vindication.

2. The Psalms and the Prophetic Writings

The Psalms frequently allude to the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Psalm 16:10 proclaims, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay" . This verse, later cited in the New Testament, is seen as a messianic prophecy pointing to the resurrection of Christ, but it also reflects a broader hope in God's power over death.

The prophetic books further develop this theme. Isaiah 26:19 offers a clear declaration: "Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead" . This passage envisions a future resurrection, affirming God's promise to restore life to His people.

3. The Vision of Ezekiel

Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37) serves as a powerful metaphor for resurrection. In this vision, God commands the prophet to prophesy to the bones, which then come to life, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. While primarily a national restoration, this vision also implies God's ability to resurrect and renew life, reinforcing the hope of bodily resurrection.

4. Daniel and the Explicit Promise

The book of Daniel provides one of the clearest Old Testament affirmations of resurrection. Daniel 12:2 states, "And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt" . This passage explicitly describes a future resurrection, distinguishing between the destinies of the righteous and the wicked.

5. The Intertestamental Period and Jewish Belief

During the intertestamental period, Jewish thought continued to develop the doctrine of resurrection. Texts such as 2 Maccabees and the writings of the Pharisees reflect a growing belief in the resurrection, influenced by Old Testament teachings. This period set the stage for the New Testament's fuller revelation of resurrection through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Old Testament lays the groundwork for the doctrine of resurrection, offering glimpses of hope and divine promise. Through the writings of the patriarchs, psalmists, prophets, and later Jewish thought, the belief in resurrection emerges as a central tenet of faith, anticipating the fuller revelation found in the New Testament.Job 19:26
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 16:10
For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:15
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
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Isaiah 26:19
Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
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Daniel 12:2
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
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Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be your plagues; O grave, I will be your destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes.
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Faustus's Reasons for Rejecting the Old Testament, and Augustin's ...
... who brings forth from his treasure things new and old." [317] And ... you see the source
of your false doctrine, in teaching that the resurrection is only ...
/.../faustuss reasons for rejecting the.htm

Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
... The Latin text is that of the "Old Latin," which Jerome left, as ... for their refusal
to eat swine's flesh (chap.7) the doctrine of the resurrection is plainly ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix the apocryphal books of.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible ...
... Once of old there occurred a flood over the whole earth, the object of which was ...
Moreover, they who deride the (doctrine of a) resurrection, because they ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 27 of the prophecies of.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing ...
But he more clearly unfolds the hidden doctrine of the resurrection when he ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... the lofty titles bestowed of old on the ... apostles perfectly familiar with the doctrine
of atonement ... expounded this subject after His resurrection, shewing them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

Index.
... Resurrection, doctrine of the, 87; of Christ, 72. Retribution, 191; Old
Testament conception of, 300. Revealer of God"Son of God, 24. ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... of the Lord,"the day of whose resurrection, the third ... folly of these critics of the
Old Testament, who, while ... Their doctrine is, that the life escapes in the ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... I never taught such a doctrine as this in public ... the Fathers rested in the times
of the Old Testament? ... will be fully consummated after the resurrection of the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the Things ...
... 2. How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the Things of ... He addresses
to the Sadducees, who do not believe the doctrine of the resurrection. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/2 how the prophets and.htm

The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... 2. OF THE WICKED. I. THE DOCTRINE OF A RESURRECTION CLEARLY TAUGHT IN THE SCRIPTURES.
1. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. It is set forth in various ways: ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm

Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? | GotQuestions.org

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