The Transformation of the Wicked and the Righteous

2 Baruch 49–51

Early 2nd Century

Chapter 49

1But further, I ask you, O Mighty One; and I shall ask grace from him who created all things. 2In which shape will the living live in your day? Or how will remain their splendor which will be after that? 3Will they, perhaps, take again this present form, and will they put on the chained members which are in evil and by which evils are…

Please login or register for free access to Posen Library
Register
Already have an account?
Engage with this Source

Jews of the Second Temple period held a variety of views about death and the afterlife. Among those who believed in bodily resurrection, the question naturally arose as to what the resurrected body would look like. How would it differ from the body before death? Would the body return as young or old? Bright or dark? Corruptible or incorruptible? According to 2 Baruch, the bodies of the righteous will become more splendid, while the bodies of the wicked will become monstrous. See also the discussion of the resurrected body in 1 Corinthians.

Read more
Ancient stone tomb with rectangular niches carved into the walls, decorated with faded frescoes and geometric patterns in red, yellow, and blue. Some niches appear empty; white mineral streaks run down the wall.
Tooltip info icon

Related Guide

Resurrection in Early Jewish Texts

2nd Century BCE–5th Century CE
Ancient stone chamber with arched alcoves carved into the walls and rectangular stone slabs on the ground.
Tooltip info icon

Related Guide

Death and the Next World in Ancient Judaism

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
Restricted
Some content is unavailable to non-members, please log in or sign up for free for full access.

Related Guide

Jewish Daily Life in Roman-Era Palestine

1st Century BCE–6th Century CE

You may also like

The Spiritual Body

1 Corinthians 15:35–58

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body…
View Source

Pharisees’ Belief in Immortality

Jewish Antiquities 18.14
They also believe that souls have an immortal power within them, and that under the earth there will be rewards or punishments, according to how they have pursued either virtue or vice in this life…
View Source

Biblical Prooftexts for Resurrection

Sifre Deuteronomy 47

So that your days will be increased (Deuteronomy 11:21)—in this world—and the days of your children (ibid.)—in the days of the Messiah—as the days of the heavens upon the earth (ibid.)—in the world to…
View Source

A Second Death after Resurrection?

Genesis Rabbah 26:2

R. Ḥaninah said: In the coming future, death will only pertain to the sons of Noah. R. Joshua ben Levi said: It will pertain neither to Israel nor to the nations of the world. The Lord will wipe away…
View Source

Resurrected Clothing?

Genesis Rabbah 100:2

Rabbi’s teaching was: A person does not return just as they left. The other rabbis’ was: A person returns just as they left.
View Source