ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

“You will not leave my soul in Sheol” (Psalm 16:10)

Peter and John run to the tomb on Easter morning, artist’s impression by Eugène Burnand (1898, Musée d’Orsay).
Artist’s impression Peter and John run to the tomb on Easter morning, artist’s impression by Eugène Burnand (1898, Musée d’Orsay). — Eugène Burnand, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

● Written before, according to historians

Written c. 1010–970 BC according to tradition; 800–200 BC according to historians. Event: 30–33 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. Psalm 16, attributed to David (around 1000 BC) and of uncertain date according to scholars, expresses the trust of the one praying: “you will not leave my soul in Sheol”.

What happened. After Jesus's execution, in AD 30 or 33, his disciples proclaim that he rose on the third day, and the Acts of the Apostles has Peter quote this psalm. The Roman historian Tacitus attests that the movement, far from dying out, revived. The resurrection itself lies beyond historical verification.

What is still debated. in its context, the one praying asks to be preserved from death, and nothing in it clearly announces a resurrection after death.

Why it is striking

The movement survived the death of its founder by proclaiming him risen, and the first Christians read this psalm as the announcement of that return. It is a rereading: the psalmist first expresses his trust that he will be kept from death.

Main objection (in French for now)

Dans son contexte, le psalmiste exprime sa confiance d’être préservé de la mort ; Kimhi le lit comme l’âme du juste que Dieu n’abandonne pas au séjour des morts. Rien n’y annonce une résurrection après la mort.

The text (World English Bible)

For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

Ps 16:10

Sources