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What Is Death According to the Bible?

What Is Death According to the Bible?

Last updated on: February 5, 2025 at 11:44 am by Miranda Turner

What Is Death According to the Bible? 2025-02-05T11:44:01-05:00 Miranda Turner

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I’ve never read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Maybe because my attention span is that of a five-year-old. Nevertheless, I did watch the 2019 animated adaptation by Robert Fernandez and found it thoroughly enjoyable, having seen it multiple times.

A crucial moment in the tale occurs when the protagonist, “Christian,” nears the end of his difficult journey to the Celestial City, confronting his final hurdle—death—depicted as a fierce, engulfing river. While his friend, “Hopeful,” dove in without much delay, Christian hesitated, gripped by a profound fear of what might happen to him and his loved ones if he were to die.

As was the case with Christian, death is a topic that can evoke discomfort for many individuals. Instead, we tend to focus on staying youthful and on medicine and practices that can prolong our lives. It’s usually hidden at the back of our minds that the world and our loved ones, one day, will continue on without us. This is a frightening thing to imagine,

Despite teachings from the church that encourage believers not to fear their death and to have more faith if they do, I maintain that a natural fear towards death is understandable, as it is an experience none of us have encountered until it happens. Nobody can tell you what to expect or how it feels. Hence, we are naturally afraid of being confronted with a situation we cannot truly prepare for.

In the past, I harbored an intense, unhealthy fear of death—both my own and that of those I care about. Nevertheless, through repeated experiences with losing loved ones, I’ve come to accept death as inevitable; it is a fate that awaits us all (with the exception of those in 1 Thess. 4:17).

Therefore, it seems pointless to expend time and energy fretting over something that is already certain. Instead, we should channel our efforts into living according to God’s teachings, with the hope of experiencing life in his presence forever.

So, how do I manage the fear and uncertainty associated with death? One method I’ve found to cope with the anxiety surrounding death is to consider what would be worse than physical demise: the prospect of enduring an eternal existence in this evil and corrupted world, trapped in a defective body. The thought alone is torturous; at least, for me it is.

While some may disagree and prefer to avoid the subject, I personally believe that discussing death is beneficial. In some ways, keeping this reality in mind may even help us live better, more productive lives.

Moreover, grasping the true nature of death is essential for a proper understanding of Scripture. The challenge lies in the fact that various individuals and groups interpret death differently. Thus, in this post, we will explore the question: What is death according to the Bible?

What is Life?

As a starting point, we should briefly investigate the concept of life through both biological and biblical frameworks, since life stands in contrast to death (Deut. 30:19; Ezk. 18:32; Num. 14:15). Therefore, a deeper understanding of life can illuminate our comprehension of death.

So, what constitutes life? I’m not inquiring about the meaning of life, but rather the literal essence of life itself. Numerous theories exist, but I believe the most fundamental and universal definition of life is “the capacity of an entity to grow, sustain matter, and produce.”

Every living entity, including humans, is composed of cells that carry out these functions. We, ourselves, engage in the same processes. Life, we can say, consists of ongoing action. It is expressed through a living organism, which encompasses both a physical body and a power source that originates from God. For humans, this power source is represented by the breath or spirit of life.

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. (Genesis 2:7)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

When God infused the first human body with the breath of life, it resulted in a living being (Gen. 2:7)—an animated creature with thoughts, feelings, and a will. Breath, a vital aspect of life, launches movement, enables activity, and makes life outside the womb possible through essential processes like oxygen delivery. Nevertheless, breath isn’t synonymous with life itself.

Scripture teaches that a creature’s life is found within the blood (Gen. 9:4; Deut. 12:23; Lev. 17:11). Blood consists of various components, including plasma, platelets, and red and white blood cells. Each of these elements plays a significant role in sustaining the human body, from transporting oxygen to vital tissues and organs to executing life-saving clotting and combating pathogens.

This is why losing too much blood may result in death. The blood carries out the necessary activities for the body to function. A lack of blood, therefore, prevents the body from getting enough of what it needs.

Within the womb, we primarily rely on our mother’s blood. Once we’re born, our own blood takes over the responsibility of supplying nutrients and oxygen to the brain, heart, and other essential organs, allowing the body to continue living, developing, and functioning.

Each time we take a breath, we absorb oxygen from the air, which is then transported throughout the body by the blood, along with important nutrients such as glucose, the main source of energy for bodily functions.

This process is essential for producing the energy required for the body to work effectively. Energy fuels our activities, and these activities reflect life. But what, precisely, is life?

It’s a difficult question to answer. Nevertheless, let’s look at it this way. Before receiving breath, “Adam” seemed to exist physically with a brain and body, needing nothing but to be “activated” in a sense. Once “activated,” he had a mind, strength, and energy to do what God created him to do—to worship.

Every living being exists to worship or “work.” Regardless of whether we are asleep or awake, our bodies are perpetually engaged in various activities, generating thoughts, ideas, movements, speech, and physical matter. This is our overarching purpose—to work.

Specifically, we were made to serve or work for God and to be productive members of his kingdom.

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God (Rom. 7:4).

Therefore, I would argue that life is “a state of activity and productivity, sustained by the collaborative functions of the body, that produce the essential energy required for a physical form to thrive and function on this planet.”

This life is, in some way, bestowed upon us by God, and as Ecclesiastes 11:5 suggests, along with the reality that science cannot definitively clarify how cells were initially formed within an organism, how the brain triggers us to take our first breath, or the ultimate origin of life, I believe we’ve reached the limits of our understanding on this matter.

Biblical Definitions of Die, Dead, And Death.

Let’s now redirect our attention back to death. Death is viewed differently by various scholars, with some seeing it as a process and others as a singular event. In the Western world, it is generally categorized into distinct types such as brain and cortical death, physiological death and clinical death.

Per Merriam-Webster, death refers to “a permanent cessation of all vital functions: the end of life.” Britannica calls it, “the total cessation of life processes that eventually occurs in all living organisms.”

It has been said that Plato, the well-known ancient Greek philosopher, defined death as the separation of the soul from the body, a belief held by several different religions.

The concept of death, as we can see, is interpreted in diverse ways by individuals, cultures, and religions, leading us to turn to Scripture to decide which is most accurate. Having said that, it’s time for us to explore the biblical terms and definitions associated with death and dying.

Die

Muwth (Strong’s H4191) is commonly translated as “die” in the Hebrew Bible. In Scripture, muwth means “to become dead.” It can also mean “to kill” or “to cause death” (Gen. 18:25) as well as “die off “or “perish.” Below are several examples.

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:17)

But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. (Genesis 33:13)

The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt. (Exodus 7:21)

And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. (Exodus 9:6)

“If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. (Exodus 21:35)

Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.” (Numbers 20:26)

The Greek verb apothnēskō, is also translated as “die” and has the same meaning as its Hebrew counterpart, muwth.

I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (1 Cor. 15:31 NKJV) (note: some English Bibles translate this as “I face death every day.”)

Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:23)

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. (Rom. 6:9)

Essentially, a person dies when their inner activity ceases, resulting in the external body becoming inactive and unresponsive to stimuli. It’s when an organism reaches its end. This is clear in Romans chapter 7, which employs both literal and metaphorical uses of “die.”

It draws a parallel between a woman freed by her husband’s death, allowing her to remarry, and believers liberated from the law to serve in a new capacity through the Spirit. For both situations to occur, someone must reach a definitive end.

Thus, we can conclude that to die, ultimately signifies “reaching a final end.” In the context of a species or group, it can also mean to “perish” “die off,” or “become extinct.” (Amos 2:2)

Dead

Next up, is the Greek word nekros which translates to “dead.” I believe the most precise literal definition of “dead” is to be lifeless or inanimate. In a metaphorical sense, especially in Scripture, the term “dead” can refer to a lack of fruitfulness or productivity.” As being literally dead means being of no use to anyone, being dead figuratively means being completely useless (James 2:17: “faith without works is dead/useless”).

For example, Jesus declared that he is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6). He compares himself to a vine, with us as its branches connected to the source of life. If we stay connected to the Vine, we will bear abundant fruit for the kingdom of God. Yet, apart from him, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). We are useless.

This doesn’t emphasize some “spiritual” death but metaphorically speaks to a lack of fruitfulness. In other words, it describes a state of being unproductive and unprofitable. Below are some examples showcasing this metaphorical use of the word “dead.”

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (Eph. 2:1)

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate (Luke 15:24)

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. (Romans 4:19)

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (Col. 2:13)

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Rev. 3:1)

Death

Finally, the word mavet (Strong’s H4194) is frequently translated in the Old Testament as “death,” but it can also be translated as “die” (Num. 6:7). This death can occur naturally or by violent means. In Scripture, mavet is used in the following verses:

‘Bring me game, and make it tasty, so I can eat it. Then I will give you my blessing in the presence of Adonai, before my death.’ (Gen. 27:7 CJB)

and the earth openeth her mouth, and swalloweth them and Korah, in the death of the company, in the fire consuming the two hundred and fifty men, and they become a sign; (Num. 26:10 YLT)

The Septuagint and New Testament use the noun thanatos to refer to death. In Greek mythology, the god Thanatos is the personification of death, while in the clinical world, “thanatophobia” refers to “fear of death.” Scripture uses the word thanatos to refer to both literal and figurative death.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned (Rom. 5:12 NIV).

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! (Rom. 6:21)

Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. (Rom. 7:13)

So far, we’ve established that all of these biblical words refer to death and dying. Most sources don’t go much deeper than that and stop there. However, our work isn’t yet done. We must look deeper, as we have yet to determine the meaning of death. According to the Bible, how should we define death?

What Is Death, Really?

It’s logical to assert that if life is a state of activity and productivity, sustained by vital energy supplied through and for the body, then death represents an absence of that energy and activity. It marks the end of one’s physical life, as they cease all physical functions, becoming permanently inactive.

At some point, the spirit or “breath” exits the physical form, which leads some to define death simply as a “separation.” Although I don’t agree with this definition, it is indeed true that a separation takes place at death.

In humans, the breath or spirit returns to God, while the body ultimately returns to the earth as dust (Ecc. 12:7). However, this separation of spirit and body isn’t synonymous with death itself, but rather is a result of death, or perhaps, part of the death process.

First, the body stops working, including the brain that regulates breathing, leading to the cessation of breath. For if the body can no longer carry out the functions required by breath, what do we need breath for? So, it is rightfully returned to God upon our demise.

Consequently, in the absence of energy for maintaining them, our earthly bodies cease to grow and eventually undergo decomposition, rendering us completely non-existent. Death, therefore, is merely a state of inactivity, that ultimately leads to non-existence.

In Scripture, death can also have other meanings. As we saw earlier, it can also refer to an “execution,” which is to put one to death or to end one’s life.

Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue him in a rage, overtake him if the distance is too great, and kill him even though he is not deserving of death, since he did it to his neighbor without malice aforethought. (Deut. 19:6)

Do nothing to the woman; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders a neighbor, (Deut. 22:26)

The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. (Lev. 16:1)

The figurative meaning of “death” can be the same. An example is shown below.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Rom. 8:13)

Putting to death the misdeeds of the body entails rendering them inactive or making them “no more.” In other words, one “stops doing them.” This destroys sin’s life or “activity,” and thereby, its ability to produce death.

Thus, for the most part, death, depending on the context, can either mean the cessation of one’s life or “activity,” or it can refer to taking someone’s life, usually as a punishment.

Conclusion

Ultimately, life is fundamentally about being active, whereas death is a state of inactivity that leads to eventual non-existence. Scripture also refers to execution as “death.”

To die means to “become dead,” which can also imply “to cease” or “to become extinct.” The Bible uses the term die in both a literal and a figurative manner.

Being dead signifies a state of lifelessness or inanimateness, and in a more metaphorical sense, it can indicate a lack of productivity or fruitfulness.

Further, it should be noted, that despite what many have learned, Scripture does not mention a concept of “spiritual death” for humans. However, we can become ineffective and unproductive in this world and, ultimately, in God’s kingdom.

All did go out of the way, together they became unprofitable, there is none doing good, there is not even one. (Rom. 3:12 YLT)

I’m not aiming for this to be a perfect scientific paper here. Rather, my intention is to provide a general, yet deeper look at death, for the purpose of diving deeper into Scripture. With that being said, my next post will tackle a question that believers have been mulling over for years: What did God mean when he said to Adam, “you shall surely die?”

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About Miranda Turner

Miranda Turner is an author, blogger, and podcaster. In her writings, she discusses God, the Bible, and anything else related to glorifying the Lord. Find out more at https://truthtrumpstradition.wordpress.com/. You can read more about the author here.

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