Resurrection of the righteous dead

Historical Context

The prophecy concerning the resurrection of the righteous dead emerges from an era of significant turmoil and transition for the Jewish people. The book of Daniel, traditionally attributed to the prophet Daniel, was composed during the second century BCE, likely amidst the oppressive reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This period was marked by the Maccabean Revolt and the struggle for Jewish identity in the face of Hellenistic influence and persecution. The intended audience was the Jewish community facing existential threats, providing them with hope and reassurance of divine justice.

Daniel 12:2 states, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." The mention of resurrection in this context serves as both comfort and a stark reminder of divine judgment. Archaeological evidence, including the discovery