Symbolic inversion in death : some examples from the Old Testament and the Ancient Near Eastern world
Date
2005-02
Authors
Kruger, Paul A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournal
Abstract
Symbolic inversion is a widespread cultural phenomenon, the earliest examples of which can be traced back to the cultures of the ancient Near East. Symbolic inversion (mundus inversus) relates to those forms of expressive behaviour which invert commonly accepted social codes. One such area in the ancient Near Eastern and Old Testament world where this phenomenon manifested itself prominently is in the conception of life after death: life after death is often conceived as the direct inverse of what is customary in ordinary life.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.ve.org.za
Keywords
Death in literature, History, Ancient, Symbolic inversion
Citation
Kruger, P.A. 2009. Symbolic inversion in death : some examples from the Old Testament and the Ancient Near Eastern world. Verbum et Ecclesia; Vol 26, No 2 (2005); 398-411, doi:10.4102/ve.v26i2.232.