Chronological timeline of texts tagged with Second Death
About This Tag
The New Testament and the Aramaic Targums share a unique tradition regarding the specific terminology "second death," a phrase that does not appear in the Hebrew Bible or other early Jewish literature. This shared linguistic and theological tradition suggests a common eschatological framework in Apocalyptic Jewish and early Christian thought.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to TagDeuteronomy 33:6 / Pseudo Jonathan Deuteronomy 33:6
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Deuteronomy 33:6
Hebrew Bible
4 Moses delivered to us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. 5 The Lord was king over Jeshurun, when the leaders of the people assembled, the tribes of Israel together. 6 “May Reuben live and not die, and may his people multiply.” 7 And this is the blessing to Judah. He said,“Listen, O Lord, to Judah’s voice, and bring him to his people. May his power be great, and may you help him against his foes.” 8 Of Levi he said: “Your Thummim and Urim belong to your godly one, whose authority you challenged at Massah, and with whom you argued at the waters of Meribah.
300-1200 C.E.
The sons of Israel said, Mosheh commanded us the law, and gave it for an heritage to the tribes of Jakob. And he was king in Israel: when the chiefs of the people were gathered together, the tribes of Israel were obedient to him. Let Reuben live in this world, nor die the second death which the wicked die in the world to come; and let his youths be numbered with the young men of his brethren of Beth Israel. And this is the benediction of the tribe of Jehudah, conjoined with the portion and benediction of his brother Shemeon; and thus he spake: Receive, O Lord, the prayer of Jehudah when he goeth forth unto war, and bring Thou him back from war unto his people in peace.
7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
Isaiah 22:14
Hebrew Bible
12 At that time the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies called for weeping and mourning, for shaved heads and sackcloth. 13 But look, there is outright celebration! You say, “Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep, eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 14 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies told me this: “Certainly this sin will not be forgiven as long as you live,” says the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 15 This is what the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:“Go visit this administrator, Shebna, who supervises the palace, and tell him:
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 22:14
Targum
12 And the prophet of the LORD, the God, the God of hosts, called in that day for weeping and mourning, for shaving the head and wearing sackcloth; 13 but instead there is joy and gladness; they say, “Let us slay oxen and kill sheep, let us eat meat and drink wine; let us eat and drink, for we will die and not live.” 14 The prophet said, With my own ears I heard when this was decreed from before the LORD of hosts, that this iniquity of yours will not be forgiven you until you die the second death, said the Lord, the God, the God of hosts. 15 Thus said the Lord, the God, the God of hosts, “Come, go to this ruler, to Shebna, who is appointed over the house,
7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
Isaiah 65:6
Hebrew Bible
3 These people continually and blatantly offend me as they sacrifice in their sacred orchards and burn incense on brick altars. 4 They sit among the tombs and keep watch all night long. They eat pork and broth from unclean sacrificial meat is in their pans. 5 They say, ‘Keep to yourself! Don’t get near me, for I am holier than you!’ These people are like smoke in my nostrils, like a fire that keeps burning all day long. 6 Look, I have decreed: I will not keep silent, but will pay them back; I will pay them back exactly what they deserve, 7 for your sins and your ancestors’ sins,” says the Lord. “Because they burned incense on the mountains and offended me on the hills, I will punish them in full measure.”
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 65:6
Targum
3 a people that provokes my Memra to anger continually to my face, that sacrifices in gardens to idols, and offers aromatic spices upon bricks; 4 who dwell in houses built of the dust of graves, and lodge with the dead bodies of the sons of men, who eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 who say, “Stand by yourself, do not come near to me, for I am purer than you.” These provocations of theirs are like smoke before me; their recompense will be in hell, where the fire burns all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not give them prolongation in this life, but I will recompense to them the wages for their sins, and deliver their bodies to the second death. 7 Your sins and the sins of your fathers together are revealed before me, says the LORD, who have offered incense upon the mountains and blasphemed me upon the hills; therefore I will repay their former works into their bosom.
7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
Isaiah 65:15
Hebrew Bible
13 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry. Look, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Look, my servants will rejoice, but you will be humiliated. 14 Look, my servants will shout for joy as happiness fills their hearts. But you will cry out as sorrow fills your hearts; you will wail because your spirits will be crushed. 15 Your names will live on in the curse formulas of my chosen ones. The Sovereign Lord will kill you, but he will give his servants another name. 16 Whoever pronounces a blessing in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God; whoever makes an oath in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God. For past problems will be forgotten; I will no longer think about them. 17 For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore.
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’ 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword:
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 65:15
Targum
13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “My righteous servants will eat, but you, O wicked, will be hungry; my righteous servants will drink, but you, O wicked, will be thirsty; my righteous servants will rejoice, but you, O wicked, will be ashamed; 14 my righteous servants will sing for joy of heart, but you will cry out for sorrow of heart, and you will wail for vexation of spirit. 15 And you will leave your name for a curse to my chosen; for the Lord GOD will slay you with the second death, and call His righteous servants by another name, 16 so that he who blesses in the earth will bless by the God of the covenant, and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of the covenant; because the former troubles will be forgotten, and because they will be hidden from before me. 17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth, and the former will not be remembered, nor will they come into mind.
7th-5th Centuries B.C.E.
Isaiah 65:15
Hebrew Bible
13 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry. Look, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Look, my servants will rejoice, but you will be humiliated. 14 Look, my servants will shout for joy as happiness fills their hearts. But you will cry out as sorrow fills your hearts; you will wail because your spirits will be crushed. 15 Your names will live on in the curse formulas of my chosen ones. The Sovereign Lord will kill you, but he will give his servants another name. 16 Whoever pronounces a blessing in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God; whoever makes an oath in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God. For past problems will be forgotten; I will no longer think about them.
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 65:15
Targum
13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “My righteous servants will eat, but you, O wicked, will be hungry; my righteous servants will drink, but you, O wicked, will be thirsty; my righteous servants will rejoice, but you, O wicked, will be ashamed; 14 my righteous servants will sing for joy of heart, but you will cry out for sorrow of heart, and you will wail for vexation of spirit. 15 And you will leave your name for a curse to my chosen; for the Lord GOD will slay you with the second death, and call His righteous servants by another name, 16 so that he who blesses in the earth will bless by the God of the covenant, and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of the covenant; because the former troubles will be forgotten, and because they will be hidden from before me.
5th Century B.C.E.
Jeremiah 51:38
Hebrew Bible
37 Babylon will become a heap of ruins. Jackals will make their home there. It will become an object of horror and of hissing scorn, a place where no one lives. 38 The Babylonians are all like lions roaring for prey; they are like lion cubs growling for something to eat. 39 When their appetites are all stirred up, I will set out a banquet for them. I will make them drunk so that they will pass out, they will fall asleep forever, they will never wake up,” says the Lord. 40 “I will lead them off to be slaughtered like lambs, rams, and male goats. 41 “See how Babylon has been captured! See how the pride of the whole earth has been taken! See what an object of horror Babylon has become among the nations!
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Jeremiah 51:38
Targum
37 And Babylon shall become heaps of stones, a dwelling-place of wild asses, desolation and astonishment, without inhabitant. 38 Together like lions they shall roar; like young lions they shall lift up their voice. 39 Bring distress upon them, and they shall be like drunken men, so that they shall not be strong, and they shall die the second death, and shall not live for the world to come, says the Lord. 40 I will hand them over like bulls to the slaughter, like rams with goats. 41 How Babylon has been conquered, and the praise of all the earth captured; how Babylon has become a desolation among the nations.
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’ 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword:
300-1200 C.E.
The sons of Israel said, Mosheh commanded us the law, and gave it for an heritage to the tribes of Jakob. And he was king in Israel: when the chiefs of the people were gathered together, the tribes of Israel were obedient to him. Let Reuben live in this world, nor die the second death which the wicked die in the world to come; and let his youths be numbered with the young men of his brethren of Beth Israel. And this is the benediction of the tribe of Jehudah, conjoined with the portion and benediction of his brother Shemeon; and thus he spake: Receive, O Lord, the prayer of Jehudah when he goeth forth unto war, and bring Thou him back from war unto his people in peace. Let his hand take vengeance on his enemies, and be Thou his help and support against his foes.
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life: 9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
200-600 C.E.
Targum Psalm 49:11
Targum
8 A man will by no means redeem his brother, who was taken captive, by his riches; and he will not give to God his price of redemption. 9 And he gives his glorious redemption, and his evil will cease, and vengeance forever. 10 And he will live again for eternal life; he will not see the judgment of Gehenna. 11 For the wise will see the wicked, in Gehenna they will be judged; together fools and the stupid will perish, and they will leave their money to the righteous. 12 In their tomb they will abide forever, and they will not rise from their tents for all generations, because they have exalted themselves; and they have acquired an evil name upon the earth. 13 And a wicked man will not lodge in glory with the righteous; he is likened to a beast, he is worth nothing. 14 This their way has caused folly for them; and in their end with their mouth they will recount their offenses in the world to come.
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Jeremiah 51:39
Targum
37 And Babylon shall become heaps of stones, a dwelling-place of wild asses, desolation and astonishment, without inhabitant. 38 Together like lions they shall roar; like young lions they shall lift up their voice. 39 Bring distress upon them, and they shall be like drunken men, so that they shall not be strong, and they shall die the second death, and shall not live for the world to come, says the Lord. 40 I will hand them over like bulls to the slaughter, like rams with goats. 41 How Babylon has been conquered, and the praise of all the earth captured; how Babylon has become a desolation among the nations.
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 22:14
Targum
12 And the prophet of the LORD, the God, the God of hosts, called in that day for weeping and mourning, for shaving the head and wearing sackcloth; 13 but instead there is joy and gladness; they say, “Let us slay oxen and kill sheep, let us eat meat and drink wine; let us eat and drink, for we will die and not live.” 14 The prophet said, With my own ears I heard when this was decreed from before the LORD of hosts, that this iniquity of yours will not be forgiven you until you die the second death, said the Lord, the God, the God of hosts. 15 Thus said the Lord, the God, the God of hosts, “Come, go to this ruler, to Shebna, who is appointed over the house, 16 and you will say to him, ‘What do you have here, and whom do you have here, that you have prepared a place for yourself here? He has prepared his place on high! He has carved out in the rock a dwelling place for himself!’”
92-96 C.E.
Revelation 2:11
New Testament
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life: 9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan Isaiah 65:6
Targum
3 a people that provokes my Memra to anger continually to my face, that sacrifices in gardens to idols, and offers aromatic spices upon bricks; 4 who dwell in houses built of the dust of graves, and lodge with the dead bodies of the sons of men, who eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 who say, “Stand by yourself, do not come near to me, for I am purer than you.” These provocations of theirs are like smoke before me; their recompense will be in hell, where the fire burns all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not give them prolongation in this life, but I will recompense to them the wages for their sins, and deliver their bodies to the second death. 7 Your sins and the sins of your fathers together are revealed before me, says the LORD, who have offered incense upon the mountains and blasphemed me upon the hills; therefore I will repay their former works into their bosom.