The Divine Verdict, : A Study of the Divine Judgement in the Ancient Religions.

• Superior document: Studies in the history of religions ; Volume 52
• Author: John Gwyn Griffiths
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, , Boston: : Brill, , 1991.
• Year of Publication: 1991
• Language: English
• Series: Numen Book Series 52.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xviii, 410 pages).
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Israel and Some of Her Neighbours /; The Greek Concept of a Moral Law with Divine Sanction /; Roman Applications /; Aspects of Christian Doctrine /; Some Indian Doctrines /; Confucianism, Mohism, and Taoism /; Egypt: Pharaoh and People /; Egypt and Judaeo-Christian Thought /; From Egypt to Greece via Crete /; Posthumous Judgement in Israel /; Divine Judgement in the Mystery Religions /; Epilogue /; Sectional and Select /; Index of Subjects and Sources /; Index of Biblical and Related References /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages [358]-389) and indexes.
• ISBN: 9004378758
• Hierarchical level: Monograph

The theme of divine judgement has often been treated, but usually with a concentration on one it its two main aspects: either that which is seen in the present life and in history or that which is believed to occur only after death. This new study seeks to combine the two aspects. It also tries to cover the whole spectrum of the ancient religions. Special attention is given to Israel, Greece, and Egypt. Israel's neighbours are also considered, and there are discussions of Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. In several areas, notably in Egypt and Israel, it is shown that punishment in this life is sometimes presented as a fate that man brings upon himself rather than as one imposed by God, though always against a moral background derived from religion. The origins of judgement after death in the Judaeo-Christian tradition are examined in some detail and elements are traced to Egyptian, Zoroastrian, and Judaic sources.