Can the Soul Die?

[BroRando]

The word “soul” in the Bible is a translation of the Hebrew word neʹphesh and the Greek word psy·kheʹ. The Hebrew word literally means “a creature that breathes,” and the Greek word means “a living being.” Many Bible translations render the words neʹphesh and psy·kheʹ differently according to the context, using words such as soul, life, person, creature, or body.

"And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

Adam wasn't given a soul as many religions teach, but rather, Adam, Became a Living Soul. Notice how others translated this verse @ (Genesis 2:7) | New International Version Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

• Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah God formeth the man -- dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
• American Standard Version And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• World English Bible Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• NWT And Jehovah God went on to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living person.

The punishment for disobedience was Death, not an eternal life of punishment. "But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:17)

• "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”(Genesis 3:19)
• “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” —Ezekiel 18: 4, 20, King James Version.

“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14 KJV)

Note: Although many Bible translations use the terms “dead body” or “dead person” in some verses, the original Hebrew uses the word neʹphesh, or “soul.”


Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. It that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

 

[APAK]

So much for the myth and the common saying that there are souls in paradise/heaven or hades after physical death; still alive as breathing creatures. They must mean 'dead' souls, or living spirits absent of an active mind and body.

 

[LTJMP14]

The word “soul” in the Bible is a translation of the Hebrew word neʹphesh and the Greek word psy·kheʹ. The Hebrew word literally means “a creature that breathes,” and the Greek word means “a living being.” Many Bible translations render the words neʹphesh and psy·kheʹ differently according to the context, using words such as soul, life, person, creature, or body.

"And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

Adam wasn't given a soul as many religions teach, but rather, Adam, Became a Living Soul. Notice how others translated this verse @ (Genesis 2:7) | New International Version Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

• Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah God formeth the man -- dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
• American Standard Version And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• World English Bible Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• NWT And Jehovah God went on to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living person.

The punishment for disobedience was Death, not an eternal life of punishment. "But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:17)

• "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”(Genesis 3:19)
• “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” —Ezekiel 18: 4, 20, King James Version.

“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14 KJV)

Note: Although many Bible translations use the terms “dead body” or “dead person” in some verses, the original Hebrew uses the word neʹphesh, or “soul.”


Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. It that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

As C. S. Lewis correctly said: "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

The soul is eternal and does not sleep or enter unconsciousness with the body that dies, but goes where the body it once filled desired it to go. For some, to the Lord; and others, to a place of separation and suffering. The Bible tells us that after Lazarus died, his spirit returned to him, and the young girl as well, and the boy being carried away to his burial, too. Since the souls/spirits of these physically dead returned to them, where did they go and from where did they come before returning into their once dead bodies? Moreover, Jesus tells of the rich man suffering in a place separated by a great divide. Of course this was the rich man's soul/spirit that was crying out for a touch of water: it is conscious suffering.

 

[Curtis]

The word “soul” in the Bible is a translation of the Hebrew word neʹphesh and the Greek word psy·kheʹ. The Hebrew word literally means “a creature that breathes,” and the Greek word means “a living being.” Many Bible translations render the words neʹphesh and psy·kheʹ differently according to the context, using words such as soul, life, person, creature, or body.

"And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

Adam wasn't given a soul as many religions teach, but rather, Adam, Became a Living Soul. Notice how others translated this verse @ (Genesis 2:7) | New International Version Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

• Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah God formeth the man -- dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
• American Standard Version And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• World English Bible Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
• NWT And Jehovah God went on to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living person.

The punishment for disobedience was Death, not an eternal life of punishment. "But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:17)

• "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”(Genesis 3:19)
• “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” —Ezekiel 18: 4, 20, King James Version.

“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14 KJV)

Note: Although many Bible translations use the terms “dead body” or “dead person” in some verses, the original Hebrew uses the word neʹphesh, or “soul.”


Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. It that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

Body and soul are destroyed in hell, said Jesus.

Oh, wait - JWs and SDA think hell is the grave and the soul sleeps with the body in the dirt.

How then can both body and soul be destroyed in the grave?

Hell obviously isn’t the grave.

And we are made up of body, soul, and spirit, so the spirit lives on, in hell.

 

[BARNEY BRIGHT]

As C. S. Lewis correctly said: "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

The soul is eternal and does not sleep or enter unconsciousness with the body that dies, but goes where the body it once filled desired it to go. For some, to the Lord; and others, to a place of separation and suffering. The Bible tells us that after Lazarus died, his spirit returned to him, and the young girl as well, and the boy being carried away to his burial, too. Since the souls/spirits of these physically dead returned to them, where did they go and from where did they come before returning into their once dead bodies? Moreover, Jesus tells of the rich man suffering in a place separated by a great divide. Of course this was the rich man's soul/spirit that was crying out for a touch of water: it is conscious suffering.

If you believe the soul is eternal, then aren't you agreeing with Satan in stating that a person doesn't die? The scriptures are very clear that the Soul that sins dies. The spirit in man isn't a person, it has no consciousness it is simply the active life-force within the cells of the human being. This spirit, or life-force, that is active in human body cells doesn't retain any of the characteristics of those cells, such as the brain cells and their part in the thinking process.
Don't you think that those such as yourself who believe that the spirit is a conscious person in a human being are saying God is a liar because you're saying no one really dies? Basically aren't you saying that death is just a doorway to another plain of existence and all person's who has ever lived from the first person Adam is still living somewhere else?

 

[LTJMP14]

If you believe the soul is eternal, then aren't you agreeing with Satan in stating that a person doesn't die? The scriptures are very clear that the Soul that sins dies. The spirit in man isn't a person, it has no consciousness it is simply the active life-force within the cells of the human being. This spirit, or life-force, that is active in human body cells doesn't retain any of the characteristics of those cells, such as the brain cells and their part in the thinking process.
Don't you think that those such as yourself who believe that the spirit is a conscious person in a human being are saying God is a liar because you're saying no one really dies? Basically aren't you saying that death is just a doorway to another plain of existence and all person's who has ever lived from the first person Adam is still living somewhere else?

I'm not saying that, Jesus is. "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46. I believe Jesus, don't you?

 

[keithr]

I'm not saying that, Jesus is. "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46. I believe Jesus, don't you?

That eternal punishment is eternal death. The righteous will have "eternal life" - the unrighteous won't have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 (WEB): For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 (WEB): For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish [to be fully destroyed, to die], but have eternal life.

 

[LTJMP14]

That eternal punishment is eternal death. The righteous will have "eternal life" - the unrighteous won't have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 (WEB): For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 (WEB): For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish [to be fully destroyed, to die], but have eternal life.

Yes, eternal punishment is just that: eternal punishment. The physical body dies, and the spiritual soul lives on and on for eternity, either with God or separated from God.

 

[An Apologetic Sheepdog]

Yes, eternal punishment is just that: eternal punishment. The physical body dies, and the spiritual soul lives on and on for eternity, either with God or separated from God.

You probably need to do a deep study on Matthew 10:28 and all ancillary subjects in proper context.

Death is "the end" and its for body, soul, spirit, angel, death itself and everything else. Its "eternal " in the sense that there is no undoing it.

 

[BroRando]

Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. IF that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the Resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

Most members of Christendom claim that Jesus Christ doesn't have the Power to overcome Death in the Grave that was Mistranslated Eternal Burning Hell. The same ones often attack the KJV as a fraud. But who is the Fraud when Hell delivers up the DEAD by means of Jesus Christ?

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Rev 20:13 KJV)

The is the Good News of God's Kingdom and Jesus Christ...

 

[LTJMP14]

You probably need to do a deep study on Matthew 10:28 and all ancillary subjects in proper context.

Death is "the end" and its for body, soul, spirit, angel, death itself and everything else. Its "eternal " in the sense that there is no undoing it.

Thanks, but you have a wrong interpretation, and I agree with the Bible for it is God's word: death is the end of the temporal body for all, and punishment is eternal for the unsaved soul. Life is eternal for the saved.

 

[LTJMP14]

Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. IF that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the Resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

Most members of Christendom Deny that Jesus Christ doesn't have the Power to overcome Death in the Grave that was Mistranslated Eternal Burning Hell. The same ones often attack the KJV as a fraud. But who is the Fraud when Hell delivers up the DEAD by means of Jesus Christ?

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Rev 20:13 KJV)

The is the Good News of God's Kingdom and Jesus Christ...

 

[LTJMP14]

Many Religions teach that the soul never dies. IF that was true, then the Resurrection would be an unnecessary act.

• Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the Resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23-25)
• The Apostles Paul also stated, "And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a Resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Is There Hope for the Dead?

Most members of Christendom claim that Jesus Christ doesn't have the Power to overcome Death in the Grave that was Mistranslated Eternal Burning Hell. The same ones often attack the KJV as a fraud. But who is the Fraud when Hell delivers up the DEAD by means of Jesus Christ?

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Rev 20:13 KJV)

The is the Good News of God's Kingdom and Jesus Christ...

The word of God teaches that the soul is eternal and will either live eternally in glory with the Lord or live eternal separated from the Lord in punishment. Those souls in eternal separation and punishment did not say yes to God's grace offer when they were in their fleshly bodies, so they got what the deserved. The saved souls got what they did not deserve when they said yes to God's grace offer and were shown God's mercy. In either case, God is absolutely sovereign and just in what HE does, and therefore there is no injustice.

 

[MatthewG]

So much for the myth and the common saying that there are souls in paradise/heaven or hades after physical death; still alive as breathing creatures. They must mean 'dead' souls, or living spirits absent of an active mind and body.

Hello Apak; Heaven and the Paradise part of Sheol are different. In Sheol there was the Paradise part and the Prison part it was known as. All people went here when they died in the old testament and into the new testament. Even Jesus went to Sheol. It seems as though that the souls could communicate with each other however they were longing for the day that they would being in the presence with God in heaven, and to me believe that happened after the resurrection of Jesus Christ; in where Hell - Sheol it is known as which contained the souls of those who had yet to receive a new spiritual body were taken out from with-in it and all judged accordingly by God. All were given a new spiritual body and some went into the new heavenly Jerusalem, and those without faith on the outside of the new Jerusalem.

To the question can the soul die? Would say no. The soul returns back to God who gave it in the first place. That was why Abraham had no problem in taking his son to offer his son back up to God because God had given him the son in the first place.

Just some of my thoughts on the matter, thank you for reading and considering.

 

[Curtis]

If you believe the soul is eternal, then aren't you agreeing with Satan in stating that a person doesn't die? The scriptures are very clear that the Soul that sins dies. The spirit in man isn't a person, it has no consciousness it is simply the active life-force within the cells of the human being. This spirit, or life-force, that is active in human body cells doesn't retain any of the characteristics of those cells, such as the brain cells and their part in the thinking process.
Don't you think that those such as yourself who believe that the spirit is a conscious person in a human being are saying God is a liar because you're saying no one really dies? Basically aren't you saying that death is just a doorway to another plain of existence and all person's who has ever lived from the first person Adam is still living somewhere else?

Death is spiritual. Ephesians 2:1 you who were DEAD IN YOUR SINS. They weren’t annihilated, they hadn’t ceased to exist, they weren’t asleep in the grave before being converted and born again. They were spiritually dead - dead in their sins.

Adam died the very day he sinned, as God says he did. Died in his sins, the same way those in Ephesians 2 were dead spiritually, yet alive physically.

That the Bible frequently talks about spiritual death is even more clear where Jesus says, he who believes in me, shall never die.

They will obviously did physically one day, yet Jesus says they shall never die.

They won’t die spiritually, and be separated from God for eternity, which is what spiritual death is.

Those who were dead in their sins, yet alive physically in Ephesians 2, are the perfect example of this truth about death, that JWs are unlearned about.

 

[An Apologetic Sheepdog]

Thanks, but you have a wrong interpretation, and I agree with the Bible for it is God's word: death is the end of the temporal body for all, and punishment is eternal for the unsaved soul. Life is eternal for the saved.

Welcome and no, its not an incorrect interpretation.

 

[LTJMP14]

Welcome and no, its not an incorrect interpretation.

I whole-heartedly agree to disagree with you. Be blessed

 

[APAK]

Hello Apak; Heaven and the Paradise part of Sheol are different. In Sheol there was the Paradise part and the Prison part it was known as. All people went here when they died in the old testament and into the new testament. Even Jesus went to Sheol. It seems as though that the souls could communicate with each other however they were longing for the day that they would being in the presence with God in heaven, and to me believe that happened after the resurrection of Jesus Christ; in where Hell - Sheol it is known as which contained the souls of those who had yet to receive a new spiritual body were taken out from with-in it and all judged accordingly by God. All were given a new spiritual body and some went into the new heavenly Jerusalem, and those without faith on the outside of the new Jerusalem.

To the question can the soul die? Would say no. The soul returns back to God who gave it in the first place. That was why Abraham had no problem in taking his son to offer his son back up to God because God had given him the son in the first place.

Just some of my thoughts on the matter, thank you for reading and considering.

Matthew, thank you for reminding me again of the two general segments of Sheol. Paradise did move out of Sheol however, to a spiritual 'safe haven' with Christ, since his resurrection...

I would say that your spirit returns to God, not your soul. If we define the soul => spirit (animation power and identity) + physical body, then your physical body that depends on oxygen of course cannot occupy the heavenly realm. Later we will have another body, suited for our own spirit in the New Jerusalem united with other and Christ...to something quite different indeed that I cannot fully understand.

 

[Addy]

The word of God teaches that the soul is eternal and will either live eternally in glory with the Lord or live eternal separated from the Lord in punishment. Those souls in eternal separation and punishment did not say yes to God's grace offer when they were in their fleshly bodies, so they got what the deserved. The saved souls got what they did not deserve when they said yes to God's grace offer and were shown God's mercy. In either case, God is absolutely sovereign and just in what HE does, and therefore there is no injustice.

What a precious STATEMENT!!!!

 

[MatthewG]

Thank you for sharing your view of how you see things, Apak. It is something very fresh still in my mind about Sheol/Hell/Grave. Thank you also for your consideration of reading along.